ED attaches assets of Central Colieries in coal block allocation case

Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday issued a provisional attachment order attaching assets worth Rs. 17.17 crore under PMLA in Coal Block Allocation case against Govinddas Daga of Central Colieries Co. Ltd., Nagpur.

Govinddas Daga was reportedly involved in cheating the govt. by submitting application to the Ministry of Coal requesting for allocation of Bellora Takli block II (Part of Takli Jena Bellora block) coal block in Chandrapur District for their proposed washing-cum-Sponge Iron Plant without incorporation of the said company.

The application for the allocation of coal mine in the name of the company was submitted on January 5, 1998 followed by another application dated February 12, 1998 for setting up of 3*30 MW power plant-cum-washery.

The said company was registered before the Registrar of Companies, Mumbai on January 5, 1999.

Acting on the same a comprehensive investigation was conducted by the Enforcement Directorate under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The residential premise of the Directors and office premise of Central Collieries company Ltd. and its other group companies were searched by this Directorate. Investigation conducted by this Directorate revealed that Central Collieries Company Ltd., Nagpur entered into criminal conspiracy with unknown public servants and submitted false information to the concerned authority while applying for a Takli-Jena Bellora Coal Block, in the veil of Captive Power Plant consumption.

The company did not install the said Captive Power Plant instead started selling the coal in open market to different coal traders which was against the policy of allocation of the aforesaid Coal Block.

During the course of investigation by Directorate of Enforcement under the provisions of PMLA it was observed that Govinddas Daga has purchased movable and immovable properties worth Rs. 17.17 crore in the name of Govinddas Daga, Director of Central Colieries Co. Ltd. Nagpur, emanating from the proceeds of crime received on account of sale of coal. The same have been put under attachment now. Further investigation is under progress.