Stalin wants CBI probe into coal scam

Recalling the submissions made by Arappor Iyakkam and eminent lawyer Prashant Bhushan in Delhi High Court regarding coal import, mainly Rs 12,250 crore worth coal by the Tangedco from Indonesia, Stalin, in a statement said that Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami should not wait for the order of the Delhi HC and instead take steps for the CBI to immediately probe the scam to the tune of Rs 3,025 crore. 

Describing as “shameful” the import of 2.44 crore metric tons of alleged substandard coal from Indonesia by the Tangedco instead of executing new power projects, Stalin said the corruption of the ruling AIADMK has been exposed by the startling revelations made by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence regarding the scam. The DRI report submitted in the HC has revealed the submission of invoices generated by middlemen in Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong and British Islands, though coal was originally imported from Indonesia, overpricing the substandard coal up to 100% by middlemen in aforesaid countries, the LoP claimed. 

The DRI has informed the court that it was probing 40 leading coal importers, the DMK working president said, adding that the Tangedco has imported Rs 12,250 crore worth coal from five such firms from 2012 to March 2016 and scam to the tune of Rs 3,025 crore has been committed by the chief minister, ministers and chairman of the Tangedco during the period. Pointing out that Gujarat based Adani group was one of the five companies, Stalin said the power utility was reeling under heavy debt due to the “mega scam” in import of substandard coal. 

Also referring to the transfer, suspension and promotion of former EB chairman Gnanadesikan, who was also given an out of turn promotion as the chief secretary, Stalin said the shuffling of the bureaucrat, who was recently appointed industries secretary, was closely linked to the scam. Remarking that evidences produced in the HC could not be ignored, Stalin demanded that the CM took steps for a CBI probe into the scam.