"We have handed over about 730 files and folders and application forms to the Central Bureau of Investigation. We have another 10 files and documents with us which we have asked the CBI to collect it from us," a Coal Ministry official said.
The Ministry of Coal had yesterday faced the ire of the Supreme Court over its non-cooperation with CBI in the coalgate scam probe by not giving crucial documents.
The official also said the Coal Ministry has found 25 out of the 28 files which were non-traceable and prior to 2004. These 25 files also fall in the list of 730.
Last month, the Coal Minister Pratik Prakashbapu Patil had said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha that the CBI after registering preliminary enquiries (PEs) has since requisitioned files and documents in original from the Coal Ministry.
He had also said some of the old files primarily to the applications received prior to 2004 are not readily available in the Ministry. However, efforts are being made to make them available by writing to Coal India, Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) and Ministry of Steel.
He had also said that all possible efforts are made to make available all the required documents and there is regular interaction with the CBI on all such issues.
The apex court was pained as the Ministry, whose senior official was named as one of the persons with whom CBI shared its draft status report, was running away from providing information to the agency.
The bench, also comprising justices Madan B Lokur and Kurien Joseph, said there were certain issues which actually need to be clarified.