Coalgate: ministry hands over irrelevant files to CBI

The coal ministry has handed over to the CBI 12 files which contain no information on the allocation of coal blocks and are of no help in unravelling the irregularities in coal block allocation, the investigating agency has said.

While the CBI had sought information on the developments before the allotments of the coal blocks, much of the information in the 12 files concern developments after the blocks were allotted, CBI pointed out in a report submitted to attorney general G E Vahanvati.

Also, according to the CBI report submitted on Monday, 29 files and documents relating to the coal block allocation are still missing or are yet to be submitted by the coal ministry.

Vahanvati on his part has informed the coal ministry about the CBI's report and urged it to act on this immediately as the Supreme Court is monitoring the probe.

In two cases, the files submitted by the ministry related to blocks different from what had been sought. While the CBI had asked for a file relating to the Madanpur (North) block sought by Sunflag Iron & Steel Ltd, the coal ministry submitted a file relating to the Madanpur (South) block, Vahanvati pointed out in his letter to the coal ministry.

In another case, where the CBI had asked for the application of Nandlal Enterprises for Lunsara lignite block, it was given application and annexures by the same firm for the Indawar lignite block.

Also, where the CBI sought files relating to the processing of application of Jharkhand Ispat Pvt Ltd, the ministry gave the agency a file relating to the processing of the application of Adhunik Alloys & Power Ltd.

The ministry also handed over four files on the post-allotment issues involving North Dadu coal block given jointly to Adhunik Alloys & Power Ltd, Jharkhand Ispat Pvt Ltd, Pawanjay Steel & Power Ltd and Electro Casting Ltd, and a joint venture formed by these companies.

"No separate file has been made available to CBI in which application of Jharkhand Ispat Pvt Ltd is processed in the ministry of coal. Thus, the required document has not been received by the CBI," the CBI said in its report.

In, yet another case, the coal ministry had claimed "the records relating to the recommendation letters issued by Congress MP Vijay Darda for allocation of Bander coal block in Maharashtra to AMR Iron and Steel received by ministry of coal from the PMO" had been handed over to the CBI on 28 January 2013.

But, in its report to the AG, the CBI noted, "The relevant file is available in CBI but the letter requisitioned has not been received from the ministry of coal".

The CBI has also denied receiving any files relating to the controversial minutes of the discussions at the 26th screening committee meeting.

The Supreme Court, in its order of 29 August, had directed the CBI to furnish a list of documents, files and information it needs for the probe to the coal ministry within five days.

The ministry was in turn required to furnish the same in two weeks' time. The court has also directed the ministry to file an FIR with the CBI if it failed to trace any of the documents sought by the agency.