CBI to quiz two ex-PMO officials; SC seeks help to analyse probe
30 Oct 2013 11:07 PM GMT
Agency sources said the two senior officers would be examined for understanding the reasons which resulted in changing the decision on Hindalco, whose application for Talabira coal block was rejected by the 25th screening committee.
Refusing to give names, the sources said the agency would soon serve them notices for questioning.
CBI sources said they have received the file related to Hindalco from Prime Minister’s Office which is crucial to understand the public good cited as the reason for reversing the decision.
The agency has identified these officers on the basis of notings made on the file. They said these officers were involved in the processing of coal ministry related files and their examination in no way suggests any kind of criminality on their part.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who has been under opposition attack over the allocation to Hindalco promoted by Kumar Mangalam Birla, has defended the decision as ‘entirely appropriate’ and based on merits of the case presented to him.
CBI had registered an FIR against Birla and former coal secretary PC Parakh in connection with allocation of Talabira II and III coal block to Hindalco in joint venture with PSUs.
CBI sources said the only material change that took place between rejection of Hindalco’s application during 25th screening committee and allotment were two letters routed to Parakh through the PMO and his personal meeting with Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of Aditya Birla Group.
Refusing to give names, the sources said the agency would soon serve them notices for questioning.
CBI sources said they have received the file related to Hindalco from Prime Minister’s Office which is crucial to understand the public good cited as the reason for reversing the decision.
The agency has identified these officers on the basis of notings made on the file. They said these officers were involved in the processing of coal ministry related files and their examination in no way suggests any kind of criminality on their part.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who has been under opposition attack over the allocation to Hindalco promoted by Kumar Mangalam Birla, has defended the decision as ‘entirely appropriate’ and based on merits of the case presented to him.
CBI had registered an FIR against Birla and former coal secretary PC Parakh in connection with allocation of Talabira II and III coal block to Hindalco in joint venture with PSUs.
CBI sources said the only material change that took place between rejection of Hindalco’s application during 25th screening committee and allotment were two letters routed to Parakh through the PMO and his personal meeting with Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of Aditya Birla Group.
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