The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on Thursday referred the coal block allocation between 2006 and 2009 for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The move has come following a complaint in this regard by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Prakash Javadekar.
According to sources, the CVC believes that it is fit that the coal block allocation between 2006 and 2009 be referred for a preliminary CBI probe.
Welcoming the decision of the CVC, the BJP said that it was a right step taken and the truth would come out after the probe.
Javadekar said, "We have been taking up this issue in Rajya Sabha. If probe is conducted impartially, then definitely the truth will come out."
This comes a day after the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday issued a clarification on the coal block allocation, claiming that the step was essential for high growth. The PMO had issued a seven-point clarification by the Coal Ministry on the allocation.
In the statement, the Ministry pointed that though the allocation to private companies for captive use commenced in 1993, the demand grew with the growing economy, which further pressed for the need of a bigger role of the private sector.
"We should appreciate the reasons for allocation of coal blocks to private parties for captive use during the period," says the release.
It further says, "While allocation of coal blocks began in 1993, it was only in 2004 that for the first time, the idea of making allocations through competitive bidding was mooted and in 2005 the government initiated a proposal to amend the Coal Mines (Nationalization) Act."
The statement has further said that the following delay of three years was because of consensus building.
In another related development on Wednesday, rubbishing Team Anna's charges of irregularities in allocation of coal blocks when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held the portfolio, the government had insisted that it was not aware of any report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on the basis of which the allegations were levelled.
A day after the Prime Minister offered to quit public life if allegations of corruption against him were proven, Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal insisted that the process of allocating coal blocks was conducted in a transparent manner in consultation with states.
Jaiswal termed the allegations of Team Anna against the Prime Minister as "unfortunate".
The issue got heated up on Tuesday when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on his way back from Myanmar, said that he would give up his public life if charges against him by Team Anna were proved.
0 comments:
Post a Comment