Lok Sabha Question No. 2918 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Inquiry on Coal Scam
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2918

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2016)

## INQUIRY ON COAL SCAM

## †2918. SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the inquiry into the coal scams is being carried out under the monitoring of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Supreme Court has made adverse comments on CBI for the slow progress of the inquiry; and
- (d) if  so,  the  effective  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  conduct  speedy  inquiry  into various scams in the country and action taken against the officers especially CBI for dereliction in duty?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) & (b):    CBI has registered 3 Preliminary Enquires viz. PE 219 2012 E0002, PE 219 2012 E0004 and PE BD1 2012 E0005 for enquiring into allocation of coal blocks.

PE 219 2012 E0002 pertains to allocation of coal blocks made during the year 2006 to 2009.  A  total  number  of  168  companies  which  were  allocated  coal  blocks  during  the  said period  are being  enquired  in the  said  PE.  The enquiry  has  been  concluded.  Consequent  to outcome of PE, 33 RCs were registered against 34 companies. Field investigation in all these cases has been concluded. Final reports in 16 cases have been filed. 17 cases are pending at different levels of investigation.

PE 219 2012 E0004 pertains to allocation of coal blocks made during the year 1993 to 2005. A total number of 43 coal blocks are being enquired in the said PE. The field enquiry has been completed in respect of all 43 coal blocks. Consequent to outcome of PE, 14 RCs were registered. Final reports in 3 cases have been filed. The remaining cases are pending at different levels.

PE BD1 2012 E0005 pertains to allocation of coal blocks made through Government Dispensation Route. A total number of 101 coal blocks are being enquired in the said PE. The enquiry has been completed in respect of all the 101 coal blocks. Consequent to outcome of PE, 6 RCs were registered. Final report in 1 case has been filed. The other cases are pending at different levels.

(c):    Hon'ble Supreme Court of India has made observations towards expeditious conclusion of investigation of these cases.

(d):        Steps  taken  by  the  Central  Government  for  speedy  enquiry  in  various  scams  are  as under:

(i) As per requirement, additional posts were approved by the Government for speedy investigations/trial of scams like Vyapam, Chit fund/Ponzi schemes.

(ii) A  team  consisting  of  3  DIGs,  5  SPs  and  a  number  of  ASPs/DSPs/Inspectors (Investigating Officers) has  been formed  for  expeditious  conclusion  of  coal  scams investigation.

(iii) Central  Government  as  well  as  CBI  takes  various  steps  to  fill  up  vacant  posts expeditiously.

(iv) CBI imparts training to its officers / employees in order to enhance their skills at its training centers. Recently, a scheme namely Advanced Certified Course  for CBI officers has been started to enhance their investigation skills, forensic data collection, collection of evidence,  skills  etc  by  providing  them  training  from  National  Law  School  of  India University (NLSIU) Banglore and Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore.

No action  has been taken against any officer regarding dereliction of duty  in connection with any delay in investigation of coal cases. Progress of investigation of coal scam cases is submitted to the Hon'ble Supreme Court at regular intervals.

*****