Coal news and updates

CBI raids 5 railway units in MP, detects major coal theft

CBI officials on Monday carried out raids on five railway units in Madhya Pradesh and detected a major coal theft by manipulation in electronic-in-motion weighbridges. Raids were carried out at Singrauli railway station, Jaypee Bela Plant in Rewa, Beohari and Khanna Banjari area in Satna district.

Variations were detected in weighbridges installed at railway tracks near Singrauli railway station and Jaypee Bela Plant in Rewa.

Two hard disks of computers attached to weighbridges at Singrauli railway station were cloned for further investigations. A hard disk of Jaypee Bela Plant was also seized, CBI sources said.

"Difference of more than 4 tonne coal was detected at Singrauli, whereas 2 to 3 tonne shortage was found at Jaypee plant. Manipulation was done in computer data. We will send hard disks for cyber forensic examination soon and bring the accused officers to book," said a CBI officer privy to information.

Coal received at thermal power stations is based on weight done with electronic-in-motion weighbridges. CBI officer said manipulation is done to under-load dispatches to government enterprises and over-load consignments to private companies.

Several senior railway officials are under scanner for their nexus with coal transporters.

In 2010 vigilance officers detected several cases of overloading of rakes on different railways. In 2011 railway board decided to install electronic in-motion weighbridges at originating and other strategic locations. As many as 190 such weighbridges were installed/ commissioned by December 2011. More were installed later.

source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com