 "Doubt integrity of govt in pursuing coalgate probe: JD(U)")
Alleging that CBI is planning to close 'coalgate' scam cases, JD(U) today expressed doubt over the "integrity" of the outgoing UPA government in pursuing the matter and demanded the immediate filing of a charge-sheet against the accused in the probe.
"I doubt the integrity of the government... While leaving office, they will try to shut the cases against (Naveen) Jindal, who has benefited the most from this coal allocation scam," JD(U) president Sharad Yadav told reporters.
"There is a smell coming these days that CBI is planning to submit a closure report in view of the lack of evidence," he further alleged.
Stating that he has been raising for a long time, in Parliament and outside, the issue of illegal coal block allocations to certain private parties, Yadav said that CBI had ultimately registered 17 FIRs last year against companies.
The companies include Jindal Steel, Gagan Sponge, AMR Iron and Steel, JLD Yavatmal Energy, Vini Iron, JAS Infrastructure, Kamal Sponge, Pushp Steel, Hindalco, BLA Industries, Castron Technologies and Nav Bharat Power, he said.
Yadav said that after all this time, CBI could manage to file only one charge-sheet. The FIR has been lodged against former MP Naveen Jindal and former Union minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayan Rao upon allegations of fraud and corruption in coal block allocations, he said.
"My charge on the present government is to direct CBI to file the charge-sheets immediately in the case of the remaining private companies, including that of Jindal and Rao, as only one charge-sheet in the case of Nav Bharat Power has been filed so far.
"JD(U) cautions the government that we will not leave this corruption issue if it tries to shut any cases concerning alleged allocation of coal blocks, as is being reported in some sections of the media," he added.
According to the CAG, there was a loss of 1.86 lakh crore to the national exchequer in the allocation of coal blocks.
Yadav also questioned as to why the accused had not been sent to jail. The coal blocks should be taken back and auction should be done in a proper manner, he added.
"I doubt the integrity of the government... While leaving office, they will try to shut the cases against (Naveen) Jindal, who has benefited the most from this coal allocation scam," JD(U) president Sharad Yadav told reporters.
"There is a smell coming these days that CBI is planning to submit a closure report in view of the lack of evidence," he further alleged.
Stating that he has been raising for a long time, in Parliament and outside, the issue of illegal coal block allocations to certain private parties, Yadav said that CBI had ultimately registered 17 FIRs last year against companies.
The companies include Jindal Steel, Gagan Sponge, AMR Iron and Steel, JLD Yavatmal Energy, Vini Iron, JAS Infrastructure, Kamal Sponge, Pushp Steel, Hindalco, BLA Industries, Castron Technologies and Nav Bharat Power, he said.
Yadav said that after all this time, CBI could manage to file only one charge-sheet. The FIR has been lodged against former MP Naveen Jindal and former Union minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayan Rao upon allegations of fraud and corruption in coal block allocations, he said.
"My charge on the present government is to direct CBI to file the charge-sheets immediately in the case of the remaining private companies, including that of Jindal and Rao, as only one charge-sheet in the case of Nav Bharat Power has been filed so far.
"JD(U) cautions the government that we will not leave this corruption issue if it tries to shut any cases concerning alleged allocation of coal blocks, as is being reported in some sections of the media," he added.
According to the CAG, there was a loss of 1.86 lakh crore to the national exchequer in the allocation of coal blocks.
Yadav also questioned as to why the accused had not been sent to jail. The coal blocks should be taken back and auction should be done in a proper manner, he added.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%