 "Probe all coal block allocations since 1993: CVC to CBI")
New Delhi: The CBI has decided to expand itsprobe into Coalgate bringing under its scanner all coal blockallocations made since 1993 including the six-year NDA ruleafter a reference in this regard was received from the CVC today.
Last week, Coal Minister Shri Prakash Jaiswal wrote toCentral Vigilance Commission seeking a CBI probe into all thecoal blocks allocated since 1993 when the government had startedallocation to private players for captive use.
[caption id=“attachment_466736” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  The CBI has decided to expand itsprobe into Coalgate bringing under its scanner all coal blockallocations made since 1993.AFP[/caption]
Seeking the CBI probe, Jaiswal has also recentlyforwarded a letter written by seven parliamentarians to theCVC saying that blocks allotted between 1993 and 2004including those given during the NDA rule should beinvestigated by the CBI, as allegedly favours were done toparties under political pressure.
The letter of MPs also sought for enquiry as to whatsystem the Government of India put in place for selection ofcompanies for coal block allocation between 1993 to 2004 andwhether these guidelines were followed and how were joint venture partners selected.
The CVC today referred the complaints to the CBI to probethe matter and the agency will soon begin its investigation onit, CBI sources said.The allocation of coal blocks to private companies forcaptive use started in 1993 when Coal Mines (Nationalisation)Act, 1973 was ammended with the objective of attractingprivate investments in specified end uses such as power,cement and steel because of growing economy.
In its ongoing probe, CBI has so far registered sevenFIRs against private companies and unknown public officialsfor alleged misrepresentation of facts.
“Till March 2011, the Ministry of Coal has allocated194 coal blocks for captive mining of which 142 were exploredblocks and the balance 52 were either regionally explored orunexplored coal blocks,” Comptroller and Auditor General hassaid in its recent report on coal block allocation.
PTI
 "Israel targets top Hamas leaders in Doha; Qatar, Iran condemn strike as violation of sovereignty")
 "Nepal: Oli to continue until new PM is sworn in, nation on edge as all branches of govt torched")
 "Who is CP Radhakrishnan, India's next vice-president?")
 "Israel informed US ahead of strikes on Hamas leaders in Doha, says White House")
 "Israel targets top Hamas leaders in Doha; Qatar, Iran condemn strike as violation of sovereignty")
 "Nepal: Oli to continue until new PM is sworn in, nation on edge as all branches of govt torched")
 "Who is CP Radhakrishnan, India's next vice-president?")
 "Israel informed US ahead of strikes on Hamas leaders in Doha, says White House")
](https://images.firstpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sriprakashjaiswal-afp4.jpg){kind=link}