CVC asks CBI to probe coal block allocation

The Central Vigilance Commission has referred to CBI the case of alleged irregularities in allocation of coal blocks to public and private companies which has brought the government under attack from opposition.

The CVC has forwarded the case to CBI for probing the alleged irregularities in coal block allocation process adopted by the Centre and related issues, sources said.

CBI officials, who are tightlipped about the reference issue, reportedly held a meeting on Thursday in which the issue was discussed in detail, sources said.

The meeting, which was chaired by the CBI chief, discussed all aspects of the reference received from the vigilance panel and also which branch should handle the probe, they said.

According to the leaked draft CAG appearing in the media, government's failure to auction 155 coal blocks between 2004-09 may have resulted in windfall gains to the tune of Rs 10.7 lakh crore to power companies, some of them PSUs.

The government had denied figures quoted in the leaked report and said there was no final report from the auditor.

However, the opposition and Team Anna had demanded a probe in the case.

BJP leader Prakash Javdekar has also made a complaint to the Central Vigilance Commission seeking a probe in the allocation of coal blocks by the government.

When contacted, Javadekar said, "We have made a formal complaint to CVC because there were so many glaring lacunae which needed to be probed. If the inquiry has been ordered, it's good."