Ranjit Mahanti
THE Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a closure report in the Court of Special Judge, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi on August 28, 2014 in a case relating to allocation of Talabira-II and III Coal Block to Mumbai based private firm. The case was registered on October 14, 2013 against then Secretary, Ministry of Coal and others.
According to CBI Spokesperson, the evidence collected during investigation did not substantiate the allegations levelled against the persons named in the FIR. The decision to accommodate the said firm of Mumbai in Talabira-II coal block in partial modification of the recommendation of the 25th meeting of the Screening Committee was found to be a case of incorporating both the views of the Screening Committee and the Government of Odisha, taken in larger interest of the country and in view of the federal regal frame work wherein most of the statutory clearances are accorded by the concerned State Governement. The Government of Odisha, had also supported the case of said firm of Mumbai in pursuance to an MoU signed with the said firm to set up an Aluminium Refinery for which a captive power plant was proposed to be set up in Odisha.