Coal mine allocations scam much bigger than 2G: CAG report

New Delhi: The CAG report on coal was tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. The report said that the coal blocks allocations scam was much bigger than the 2G scam. According to the report, the coal allocations caused the exchequer a loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crore, much bigger than what the 2G scam cost.

The report said that the estimate was only on account of private players and that the loss caused by PSUs would be audited separately.

Nearly 44 billion tonnes of coal were given at throwaway prices. Around 194 coal blocks were allotted on mere recommendation, the report adds.

According to the report, the coal allocations caused the exchequer a loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crore, much bigger than what the 2G scam cost.

The allotments were made when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the coal minister. The PM reportedly ignored the then coal secretary's advice to auction coal blocks.

The final CAG report is, however, silent on the PMO's role in scam. The draft CAG report had heavily criticised the PMO in connection with the scam which mainly benefited companies like Tata, Birla and Jindal.

The Opposition is planning to nail the PM on the basis of the CAG report.

Also See

• CAG reports on Coal, Power, Aviation tabled; Government to face Opposition fire
• CAG on aviation: Government favoured GMR for Delhi airport, caused losses
• CAG report on power: 'Tata, Reliance favoured'

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