Some Mahanadi Coalfields limited (MCl) officials have illegally sold out around 49,000 tonnes of coal worth Rs 16 crore from the stockyard of the Nandira Mine of Talcher, confirming the allegation of rampant corruption in coal dispatch.
On the advice of the Central Vigilance Commission, the MCl authorities have issued a charge-sheet against the concerned Senior Manager (Survey) PC Dasgupta. The large-scale corruption was done during the period of General Manager G Dehury. Several other high officials are likely to be charge-sheeted in this case.
Within the last few months, MCl Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) Deepak Srivasthava along with his team conducted detailed investigations and found a shortfall of 48.971 tonnes of coal in the Nandira Mine. This matter was referred to the Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), who advised the CVO to take necessary action.
Various workers’ unions have now demanded detailed investigations of all coal stockyards.
There was serious allegation that since a few years, the ‘B’ grade coal of the Nandira Mine was dispatched as ‘F’ grade coal from the Deulabeda siding in rail auction and the concerned officials earned huge amounts of money out it from private companies.
The present scam is likely to lead to unearthing of larger-scale corruption in the business of the MCl.