Coal news and updates

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is preparing to initiate proceedings to attach properties of two private firms based in Maharashtra and Jharkhand as part of its probe into the Coalgate scam. The attachment proceedings, sources said, are likely to be initiated from July 15. The agency is also planning to examine former minister of state for coal Dasari Narayan Rao in connection with the scam.

Sources said, “ED sleuths have identified the properties which will be attached under the provisions of the Prevention of the Money Laundering Act”. The ED had recently collected documents from the coal ministry pertaining to the allocations of captive coal blocks from 2006 to 2009, they added. The agency has also decided to seek clarifications from steel ministry’s five former officials of in connection with allocations of four captive coal blocks in 2006. “Role of at least five former officials of the steel ministry is under the scanner in connection with ED’s probe related to the allocation of captive coal blocks of Lohara (east) in Maharashtra and Moira Madhujore (north and south) in West Bengal,” sources said.

The agency is analysing documents submitted by private firms at the time of filing applications for the allocation of these blocks, sources said adding that the bank account details are also being scrutinised by the investigators.

The agency has already also slapped money laundering charges against Castron Technologies Ltd, Jharkhand Ispat Private Limited, Pushp Steel and Mining Pvt Ltd, RSPL, Grace Industries, Jharkhand Ispat, Green Infrastructure, Hindalco, BLA Industries and Nav Bharat Power Private Limited. The ED has also named members and officials of the 35th screening committee (government constituted multi-member body).

Besides, former Minister of State for coal Dasari Narayan Rao has also been booked by the ED.

Rao, a former Congress Rajya Sabha MP, held position of Minister of State for Coal between 2004-06 and between 2006 and 2008. Total 154 coal blocks were allocated during the tenure of Rao. “He will soon be examined by the ED”, sources said.

 

 

Source: http://www.asianage.com/