Ahead of filing FIRs in the Coalgate scam, the CBI has identified several companies which were allocated blocks long back but had not started any work yet.

CBI sources said that we have identified some 27 companies which have not begun production of coal till date. The agency has zeroed in on some officials of different ministries who were members of the screening committees in three states Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka where these 27 companies were allocated blocks and is planning to question them.

CBI is expected to file cases against some of these private companies by the end of this week as well as conduct raids at various places. CBI's preliminary enquiry has found that private companies misrepresented facts including their financial status to get coal blocks, despite not being eligible for the work.

CBI officials remained tightlipped about the names of the companies claiming they had to conduct raids and collect evidence. The agency has already examined secretaries and joint secretaries in the coal ministry, officials of private companies and others who were part of the screening committees.

CBI sources said that they will also question some top ranking officials of nine ministries and PSUs which are linked to the allocation of coal blocks. The agency's enquiry has so far revealed that most of the blocks were allocated between 2005 and 2009. Agency officials also said they would not look into policy issues and their probe would only relate to use of blocks.

Source - Times of India.indiatimes.com

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