Coal scam: CBI raids three WCL officers in Chhindwara

JABALPUR: CBI conducted raids at several premises of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) to probe allegations of coal scam in Chhindwara district on Tuesday. Raids were conducted at houses of three WCL officers and at the premises of a contractor. Important documents were seized, said sources.
Inspector Hariom Dixit of CBI said, "A complaint alleged irregularities in coal mining which were causing loss of revenue.Prima facie it seems bills of crores of rupees were passed against mining of coal, but the mineral was never mined."
Raids were conducted at the house of a contractor, Anish Ahmad, and three WCL officials.
In 2012, Anish Ahmad was awarded a contract for mining coal from the WCL mines, this was a five year old contract, but during its execution, the contract did not mine the quantity of coal that was in the contract instead he in alleged connivance of officials, presented fake bills and siphoned off, more than Rs 1 crore, said sources.
Earlier in March 2015, six senior WCL officials posted in Chhindwara district were sent to jail by a special court of CBI for their alleged involvement in a similar coal scam. In February this year also, CBI conducted raids at the premises of a contractor following the complaint of irregularities in disposal of waste.