Allocation to firms ‘linked’ to Jindal under lens

Congress MP Naveen Jindal may soon face the heat as two firms, allegedly associated with him, are under the CBI scanner. Nalwa Sponge Iron Ltd and Gagan Sponge Iron Ltd got one coal block each at Gare Palma IV, Chhattisgarh, in 2006, and at Amarkonda Murgadangal, Jharkhand, in 2008, respectively. The two coal blocks were being mined in joint venture with Jindal Steel and Power Ltd.

Sleuths stumbled upon these firms while analysing private companies which were allocated coal blocks between 2006 and 2009.

JSPL has five coal blocks allocated to it — at Gare Palma IV (Chhattisgarh), Jitpur (Jharkhand), Amarkonda Murgadangal (Jharkhand), Ramchandi (Orissa), Urtan North (Madhya Pradesh). The agency's probe against the private companies revealed that another company, Sandeep Jajodia's Monet Ispat and Energy Ltd, is also linked to JSPL.

When contacted, JSPL spokesperson Vivek Sharma said, "We have not been contacted by the CBI for any details. There are four coal blocks allocated to JSPL which have been covered in the CAG report. We informed the government about the Jitpur coal block which is under consideration of the IMG. We informed them about the current status of the mine. We briefed them about our approvals for environment clearances."

Sources said that MIEL managed to get three coal blocks out of which one was allotted to them with JSPL. Jajodia, who is brother-in-law of Naveen Jindal, was allegedly helped by them in cornering these coal fields, said officials. The captive coal blocks were taken by Monet and Jindal for development of a power plant.

A spokesperson for JSPL said, "We have only one coal block in joint venture with Monet which is Urtan North, a deep underground mine for coking coal. We hold two-third stake in the joint venture."

When contacted, MIEL's assistant vice-president (corporate communication) Neetal Naarang said, "The CBI has not contacted us seeking any details. The IMG has reviewed progress wherein all milestones achieved till now have been brought to their knowledge along with statutory clearances being awaited."

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