Coalgate verdict: Whistle-blower MP says SC order vindicates his stand

Hansraj Ahir hopes Modi govt provides necessary aid to Coal India to step up production

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of Parliament Hansraj Ahir, whistle-blower for the coal block allocation scam, said the Supreme Court’s order to cancel 214 coal block allocations has vindicated his stand that these were illegal and done in an arbitrary manner.

Ahir, who represents Chandrapur constituency in Maharashtra, said, “Since 2006, I regularly followed up the matter with the Centre and argued the allocations were illegal. It was nothing but the loot of country’s natural resources. In my communications to former prime minister Manmohan Singh and coal ministers, I made a strong case for allocation through auction. However, the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government never responded positively.”

The apex court on Wednesday ordered cancellation of 214 blocks.

The MP said all agencies, including the Central Vigilance Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General, Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, were unanimous in exposing the illegality in the allocations. ''CAG's scathing report submitted in 2012 to the parliament had given various details including the financial loss. Instead of corrective measures including the cancellation of these blocks, the UPA government and ministers in general went on criticising the CAG,'' he noted.

Further, Ahir said the state-run Coal India and other undertakings were deliberately left to decay with a sole objective to help private players. ''My argument was that coal block allocations lacked transparency. I am happy that the Apex Court has asked Coal India to take over operational blocks for 6 months. I am of the firm view that the government should provide necessary assistance to Coal India so that the central undertaking will be in a position to step up production considering rise in demand for coal due to increase in the generation capacity,'' he added.

Ahir hoped that the Modi government will follow SC directives and quickly take the necessary action to help the power sector in particular.