CBI seeks Hindalco coal files from PMO

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) the files relating to allocation of coal blocks to Hindalco, sources said Tuesday.

The probe agency has named Hindalco along with Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla and former coal secretary P.C. Parakh in its 14th FIR in the allocation of coal blocks.

It wrote to the PMO seeking file details of Talabira-II and Talabira-III coal blocks in Odisha allocated to Hindalco in 2005 following a PMO decision.

The agency filed a fresh case for alleged irregularities and criminal conspiracy in the allocation of these two coal blocks. The CBI wants to review the files before proceeding with the probe.

The CBI's move comes after the PMO had Oct 19 defended the allocation of coal blocks to Hindalco.

"The prime minister is satisfied the final decision taken in this regard was entirely appropriate and based on the merits of the case placed before him," a PMO statement said.

The agency filed an allocation scam status report in the Supreme Court, sharing the 14th FIR details and updating about the progress in the 13 cases lodged earlier.