JOIN USCoal Minister Shriprakash Jaiswal on Thursday gave some twist to the issue of missing files on coal block allocations. He categorised missing records into files, applications and other documents and told the Rajya Sabha that only seven files, 173 applications and nine other documents remain untraceable.
Refuting the CBI’s contention that many files are missing, he said it would be wrong to classify any file or document as missing at this stage when an inter-ministerial committee is actively engaged in locating these papers.
“Seven files, 173 applications and nine other documents pertaining to coal block allocations are not traceable and efforts are on to locate them,” Jaiswal said in a statement in the Rajya Sabha.
Jaiswal said out of 43 files which were said to be missing, 21 have already been handed over to the CBI and 15 more are being sent to the investigating agency. “The Coal Ministry has so far given nearly 769 files and documents in original, running into 1,50,000 pages, to the CBI,” he said. “If we are unable to locate some papers, the government will ensure that due investigations are carried out and the guilty are brought to book.”
He said if additional documents are called for by the CBI and, if any document is not readily available, it shall make every effort to trace and supply them to the CBI.
The coal minister also informed that out of the 19 applications sought by the CBI, three applications have already been made available and the remaining 16 are being searched. About the missing documents, the minister said six have been handed over to CBI, two are available, while nine others are being searched.
Clarifications sought in nine cases will be made available to the CBI shortly, he said.
The House could not debate the matter after Jaiswal’s statement because it was adjourned for the day following ruckus created by the TDP members.
In accordance with the assurance given to the Opposition that, if required, the prime minister would intervene on the issue, Manmohan Singh was present in the House.
Jaiswal revealed that on August 14, the CBI sent a consolidated list of documents which were yet to be made available to them. This included 43 files, 19 applications, 157 applications of private companies and 17 documents besides clarifications on nine points.