CAG report on coal block allocation is expected to be tabled in Parliament today

The CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) report on controversial coal block allocation is expected to be tabled in Parliament during the current session, Finance Minister P. Chidabaram said on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was in charge of the Coal Ministry for a share of the period under scrutiny and the government has set a strong defense. The reports are likely to generate a storm in Assembly with the opposition all geared up to corner the govt. As it braces for a storm, Congress sources say the party is prepared for any conversation in Assembly.

The reports were scheduled to be tabled on Thursday but was delayed as both Houses of Parliament were adjourned as mark of respect for late Vilasrao Deshmukh.

The CAG reportedly says that 57 coal fields were allocated to about 100 private companies in a manner that gave “undue benefits” to the companies. The report says the allotment of blocks was opaque, “subjective” and allowed the companies to benefit to the tune of nearly Rs. 1.85 lakh crores.

The CAG report on allotment of coal blocks also pegs loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crore, which turns out to be bigger than the loss from 2G scam.

The draft Comptroller and Auditor General report on coal distribution has alleged undue benefits of Rs. 15,849 crore to Reliance Power, by way of surplus coal allocation for two of its Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs). The draft report pegs benefit to Reliance Power from surplus allocation for the Sasan UMPP at Rs. 4,875 crore.

The CAG report on public-private partnership for the Indira Gandhi International Airport had reportedly said that Delhi International Airport (DIAL), which runs the utility, has a potential to earn Rs 1,63,557 crore over a 60-year period from the land given to it on a lease rent of Rs 100 per annum, hurting the interest of the government.