CBI to seek records from coal ministry

New Delhi: Starting the probe into alleged irregularities in coal block utilisation, the CBI officials are likely to visit coal ministry next week seeking clarification on some points.

The officials are likely to visit the offices of coal ministry on Monday and might collect some documents related to allocation and reports of utilisation of the coal blocks by private allottee companies, CBI sources said. The agency has registered a preliminary enquiry on Friday, which is the first step to start a probe, against unknown persons.

Senior CBI officials made it clear that probe would primarily focus on the alleged irregularities in utilisation of coal blocks by the allottee companies between 2006 and 2009. The Commission had forwarded the complaint of BJP leaders Prakash Javadekar and Hansraj Ahir who had alleged that first-come-first-serve basis was adopted by the government to benefit some private companies.

The complaint also alleges that there was a delay of nearly two years in auctioning process and claims that the ministry had done so to benefit some private players. If CBI finds any incriminating evidence during the enquiry, it would register a regular case.