Awarded coal blocks: CBI questions veracity of ministry numbers

The CBIs latest letter for documents reiterates its August 28 demand for information on the exact number of coal blocks awarded under the government dispensation category as numbers quoted by the ministry in two separate documents are at variance. It said that while the affidavit submitted by the ministry to the Supreme Court in February 2013 put the coal block allocations to government companies at 100,a subsequent letter to the CBI in May 2013 put it at 101. And when read further with the February 2013 affidavit,the actual break up between the private and government companies became confusing. Out of the total 216 allocations until March 2011,105 have been to private companies,99 to government companies and 12 to ultra mega power projects. After adjusting the 24 de-allocations and 2 re-allocations,a total of 194 allocations including allocations to private parties form the subject matter of the civil writ petitions, the CBI quoted the ministrys affidavit. This,the CBI says in the latest requisition list,was contradictory to the ministrys claim of 100 coal blocks being allocated to government companies. It is therefore requested to furnish the list of coal blocks having the correct figure so that the enquiry may proceed accordingly, the CBI said in the letter dated September 3.

In August 2012,the CAG concluded that the UPA governments decision not to auction 194 coal blocks between 2004 and 2011 had resulted in huge revenue loss to the exchequer. Over time,the claim has been that 142 blocks were allotted to private entrepreneurs between this period.

Two different units of the CBI submitted fresh requisition list on September 3 to Attorney General GE Vahanvati seeking in total 15 more documents,including administrative order for formation of the Screening Committee which awarded the blocks and the minutes of their meetings.