Coalgate: CBI to quiz officials checking eligibility of applicants

CBI will soon quiz coal ministry officials tasked to examine the application form and eligibility of applicants’ allocated coal blocks by the inter-ministerial 34th screening committee in September 2006.

CBI will soon quiz coal ministry officials tasked to examine the application form and eligibility of applicants’ allocated coal blocks by the inter-ministerial 34th screening committee in September 2006.

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Among those allocated was Lohara (east) in Maharashtra, to the Nagpur-based Grace Industries in 2008, according to a CBI source. CBI had lodged a case against Grace Industries last September for alleged misrepresentation of its net worth to bag the coal block.

“In response to our demand for details on its officials tasked to check the eligibility and application forms of applicants allocated coal blocks by the 34th screening committee, the coal ministry recently gave us its final reply,” said the source. The source said the CBI is likely to begin examining the concerned officials soon.

The coal ministry, meanwhile, in a reply that may raise eyebrows, told the CBI that “it was not mandatory for the coal block applicants to submit signed feedback forms,” said the source. “The ministry gave this reply while clarifying that it does not have the signed feedback form of an allocatee, Rathi Steel and Power Limited. We had lodged a case against this firm in June for alleged misrepresentation,” said the source.