Coal block allocation: Jindal Photo under CBI scanner

The CBI said it was investigating around 28 companies which may have got coal blocks despite being ineligible.

Jindal Photo Ltd,a New Delhi-based firm,is learnt to have made presentation before the screening committee in 2007 and was allotted Mandakini (Talcher) coal blocks in Orissa along with Monet Ispat and Energy Limited. “Jindal Photo is learnt to have taken the coal block for their Jindal India Thermal Power Limited,being constructed at Angul,Orissa,” said a CBI official.

The development of the power project is understood to be in the initial stages. As per the documents available with The Indian Express,Jindal Photo submitted five applications in January 2007 to the Ministry of Coal,which was taken up by the screening committee. The firm sought coal blocks at Talcher,Ib river in Orissa,Mand Raigarh in Chhattisgarh,and Raniganj in West Bengal for supply to their power projects. They were allotted a coal block with Tata Power Company Ltd and Monet Ispat at Talcher.

Jindal Photo did not respond to phone calls and email queries. Despite repeated attempts,the managing director,Shammi Gupta,was unavailable for comments.

Investigators said the company may face charges of misrepresentation if it is found that they have taken the blocks by furnishing false information. The CBI is soon going to file a second set of FIRs against the private companies who got coal blocks allotment by giving false representation and inflated net worth. Sources said the owners of private companies which have been booked in the first five FIR will be called for questioning next week.