Call comes after CBI files case against company on charges of cheating and conspiracy
BeyondHeadlines News Desk
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR in the coal block allocation scam against the high profile Aditya Birla group and its chairman. The CBI reportedly alleged Hindalco Industries, a group company, had been shown undue favour when it was awarded the Talabira block in Orissa in 2005.
Reacting to the FIR, Arundhati Muthu, Greenpeace campaigner said“ the corruption case against Hindalco demonstrates the urgent need to suspend all further movement on all blocks awarded in the coal scam period until all the allocations have been fully investigated and resolved”.
The Aditya Birla group has a major stake in coal blocks allocated in the Mahan forests in Madhya Pradesh. “The whole process on the Mahan block – from allocation to forest clearance to implementation of the Forest Rights Act has been characterised by violations and exertion of undue pressure on public officials to subvert due process. Community members and activists on the ground in Mahan have been routinely threatened and intimidated directly and indirectly by officials of Mahan Coal Limited, a joint venture of Hindalco and Essar” said Muthu
The CBI has reportedly charged Aditya Birla group and its chairman on forgery, cheating and financial misrepresentation. While the current case pertains to allocation made in 2005, it raises concern over all other allocations made to the group. Hindalco Industries was awarded 3 blocks that fall within the period of the coal scam – the Talabira II block in 2005, the Mahan coal block in 2006 and the Tubed coal block in 2007.
