CVC probe in coal allocation a positive step: BJP

Several companies are set to face CBI heat after the CVC refers BJP leader Prakash Javdekar's complaint to the agency for a probe.

Government sources have confirmed that the CBI has begun looking into the complaint forwarded by the CVC and that a preliminary inquiry may be filed into the matter. Also Read: Post 2G, country cannot afford coal gate scam: Subramanian
Incidentally, PM Manmohan Singh who held the coal portfolio during this time is learnt himself to be keen on the probe.
This comes even as a CAG report has found fault with the manner of coal block allocations in the past and quantified losses to the exchequer on this account. Below is the edited transcript of Prakash Javdekar's interview to CNBC-TV18. Also watch the accompanying video. Q: CVC has called for a probe and asked the CBI to look into your complaint. Are you satisfied with the process that’s currently underway? Has the CBI responded to your complaint?
A: If CVC has ordered a probe I will be definitely happy. There are many issues, let’s see how the probe progresses. For the last two years we have been raising these issues in the Parliament. There was a tremendous black gold mine rush after 2006 when the government decided in-principle to auction the coal mines. 143 private firms were allotted above 100 blocks nearly 17 billion tonne of coal reserves with value of Rs 51 lakh crore for free in a way, with very little royalty to it. Q: Who do you hold responsible for these irregularities? Are you blaming the Prime Minister in particular?
A: The government. We collected all the information we could from what we spoke, issues raised, information available from public domain via media and gave it to CVC. Q: The CAG report on this matter was meant to be tabled in the last session of Parliament. It was never tabled. We saw two leaks of that report with different figures in terms of loss to the exchequer. So, there have been discrepancies even as far as the leaked CAG reports are concerned?
A: No, I don’t know what CAG has reported as the report is not tabled. We have based our complaint on the basis of the information provided by the government and the media who have investigated the issue. So, we have put all the facts before the CVC and ask them to inquire the matter.