CBI registers FIR in coal import bungling

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday registered an FIR against multiple companies and officials in a case pertaining to alleged bungling in coal import.

"A reliable information has been received that unknown officers of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation (MMTC), Aravali Power Company Pvt. Ltd. (APCPL), Promoter and other officers of M/s Coastal Energy Pvt. Ltd. (CEPL), Chennai and others entered into a criminal conspiracy amongst themselves with the view to cheat Government of India in the matter relating to import of coal of Indonesian origin by fraudulently showing inferior quality of coal as that of superior quality, during the period 2011-2012 to 2014-2015," stated the FIR.

It further said that M/s CEPL was "successful" bidder in a contract for the supply of coal to NTPC/APCPL after which it entered into back to back agreements with its sisters' concerns in Dubai.

"Sources have also confirmed that CEPL was sourcing coal of Indonesian origin with lower GCV through their intermediary firms based in Dubai," stated the FIR.

The FIR also stated that the modus operandi adopted by CEPL had resulted in the supply of inferior quality of coals to the power generation companies.

A case of criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct by public servants, has been registered against the above-mentioned companies.