Ex-minister denies role in coal scam

Former Union minister of state for coal and mines Dasari Narayana Rao has denied involvement in the coal scam.

Responded to the charges levelled against him, Rao, in a release here on Wednesday, said he suspected that there was a “disinformation campaign” against him as part of a conspiracy to tarnish his name.

“I assure my supporters that facts would soon come out,” he said.

He urged his supporters to keep faith in the justice system and not to worry. However, sources said Dasari might be arrested any time.

The CBI has said Jindal group transferred Rs 2.25 crore to Sowbhagya Media, a company owned by Dasari, as quid pro quo for the coal blocks he had sanctioned for the group in violation of the rules.

The CBI has charged that Jindal group was allotted coal mines on the basis of fake documents.

Five coal blocks were allotted to Jindal group of Navin Jindal, a Congress MP, during Dasari’s tenure as minister.

Cases against Dasari and Jindal were registered in connection with the allocation of coal blocks at Amarakonda Murgadangal in Jharkhand.

The CBI has registered cases under Section 120 B, read with Sections 420 and 13(1)(D).
The agency has also registered cases against four companies including Gagan Sponge Ltd and Jindal Steel and Power Limited.