My name has been unnecessarily dragged into the coal block allotment controversy being probed by the CBI,” said Dr SK Tamotia, former President and CEO of Indal of the Hindalco chain.
Hindalco had acquired Indal in the year 2000 and Dr Tamotia was referring to the controversial Talabira II coal block allotment in favour of Aditya Aluminium of Hindalco in 2005.
“Yes, after quitting Nalco as its CMD, I had joined Hindalco in 1997 and, thereafter, on its acquisition of Indal in 2000, I had joined as its President and CEO. I left Indal in 2004. The coal block allotment under question pertains to 2005. So, where is the question of my role in it,” Dr Tamotia queried. It may be mentioned that the CBI had searched Dr Tamotia’s residence in Bhubaneswar on Saturday and did not find any incriminating document.