New Delhi:
Parliament continues to witness fresh disruptions today as a united Opposition has upped the ante over the twin controversies of 2G and coal scam. And in what could provide it with fresh ammunition is a report by a standing committee on allocation of coal blocks that is expected to be tabled today. The report, sources say, is damning for the government as it indicts the latter for irregularities in distribution of coal fields.
According to sources, the report has recommended the cancellation of all coal blocks allotted between 1993 and 2008. The recommendation is based on the premise that procedure was not followed while granting coal blocks to firms during this period.
The report, sources say, has pointed out that the allocation and supply of coal blocks between 1993 and 2004 was done in a "non-transparent" manner - several firms who approached the Coal Ministry were "arbitrarily" given away coal blocks. The report further goes to say that even though an advertisement was put out calling for application of coal blocks between 2005 and 2006, no bidding or auction was held. It has slammed the government for distributing a precious natural resource in a "most unauthorized manner", which caused a loss of revenue.
The report, thus, may prove to be a fresh headache for an already beleaguered government which is battling another coal controversy, courtesy a CBI report. The latter's report has faulted the government for not verifying the credentials of private firms who misrepresented financial and other records to land valuable coal fields. The issue is sensitive for the government because for some of those years, the Prime Minister held charge of the Coal Ministry.
The investigating agency's report on "Coal-gate" itself is also under the scanner over allegations that it was reviewed by Law Minister Ashwani Kumar before it was submitted to the Supreme Court last month.