CVC asks CBI to probe coal blocks allocation since 1993

New Delhi, Sep 24: The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) today asked the CBI to widen its probe into coal blocks allocation to the BJP-led NDA regime.
This could be a major setback to the BJP which has been demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament was washed out on alleged irregularities in coal mines allocation.
Sources said the CVC has asked the CBI to probe coal blocks allocation from 1993.
The sources said Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal has also sought a CBI probe into mines allocation since 1993.
He has forwarded a letter written by seven MPs to the CVC that coal blocks allotted between 1993 and 2004 should be investigated by the CBI.
The MPs have reportedly alleged that favours had been done in allocating coal blocks under political pressure.
The CVC has also forwarded the letter by Mr Jaiswal.
The CBI has already been probing alleged scam in allocation of coal mines made between 2006 and 2009 on the direction of the CVC.
The Comptroller and Auditor General, in its report tabled in Parliament last month, said the government lost Rs 1.86 lakh crore due to allocation of 142 coal blocks to private firms without competitive bidding.
The sources added that 39 coal blocks were allocated during the NDA government.
The CBI, on Saturday registered cases against two private firms, their directors and other public servants in the coal block allocation case and conducted nation-wide raids.
Earlier on September 4, the CBI had registered cases against five private companies.
The cases have been registered against the firms allegedly for getting coal blocks allocated on the basis of misrepresentations and false claims in the applications, presentations and connivance/lack of due diligence on part of public servants.
The probe agency has alleged that promoters of some of these companies have sold their stakes in an irregular manner after allocation of coal blocks.
Reacting to the CVC’s move, the BJP said it has no problem with any probe into coal blocks allocation during the NDA regime.
BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi alleged that the Centre was diverting the issue from alleged coal scam under the Congress-led UPA government.
He said the BJP sticks to its demand for resignation of the Prime Minister on coal blocks allocation issue. (UNI)