Coal block allocation: Probe sought over Patnaik's role

Posted on 12th Mar 2015 11:27 am by mohit kumar

Bhubaneswar, March 11 (IANS) After a special court summoned former prime minister Manmohan Singh in a coal block allocation case, the Congress and BJP on Wednesday expected that Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's role would also be probed.

Patnaik had recommended to the central government allocation of Talabira-II coal block to Hindalco in 2005.

"The CBI has the right to summon or question anybody if there is prima facie evidence in a case of corruption. But what I am surprised about is how the CBI forgot the role of Odisha chief minister in the whole affair," said senior Congress leader Narasingh Mishra.

He said Manmohan Singh has already clarified that the coal block was allocated to Hindalco on the basis of Odisha chief minister's recommendation.

Odisha BJP president K.V. Singhdeo hoped that Patnaik could still be summoned in the case.

"No one can escape from the probe... be it the former prime minister or the chief minister. I am hopeful that the chief minister would be summoned by the court in due course for recommending the coal block in favour of Hindalco. Just wait," Singhdeo told media persons.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), however, was in a defensive mode and tried to shift the blame on the central government, stating that it has the final authority to decide on the matter.

"The chief minister had only recommended the case and it was the Centre which had the final say. We must understand the difference between a recommending authority and those responsible for the final decision," said BJD spokesperson Amar Satpathy.

Other news

Upcoming Smartphone: This smartphone can come with a 200MP camera and 125W charger, know what other features you will get

Motorola Frontier 22 Smartphone: Motorola is reportedly working on a new flagship smartphone, nam

Why did Dr. Harsh Vardhan speak to Manmohan Singh - Congress leaders do not think like you

Former PM Manmohan Singh wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioning ways to contro

Manmohan Singh Memorial: Where can Manmohan Singh's memorial be built? Search for land continues, names of these places are in discussion

BJP is constantly responding to the allegations of Congress regarding the memorial of former Prim

Weather Update: Weather changed in North India, snowfall in mountains, rain in the plains, alert in Uttarakhand

Due to a western disturbance, the weather suddenly changed in North India on Monday. There was sn

When will children get the vaccine and adults will get the booster dose? The decision may be taken in next 2 weeks

The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization in India i.e. NTAGI will also prepare a com

TV Updates: Archana Puran Singh reacts to the memes made on herself; Little angel was born in the house of 'Kumkum Bhagya' fame Pooja Banerjee

Actress Archana Puran Singh has recently reacted to the memes going viral about Navjot Singh Sidh

Tracxn Technologies IPO: Not showing interest in a gray market, know when will it be listed in the stock market?

The IPO of Tracxn Technologies, which was open for three days, has been almost double subscribed

Amazing performance of Rajasthan Royals in this IPL: Not once was all out, bowlers, batsmen, and the team all made records

The Rajasthan team, which has finished its IPL journey in seventh or eighth place for the last th

Black fungus: how this disease spreads and how to protect it? Two big doctors of the country gave information

Amid rising cases of black fungus, another disease in the country, AIIMS director Dr. Randeep Gul

AIIMS Bhubaneswar Recruitment 2023: AIIMS Bhubaneswar has recruited more than 700 posts, read all the details

AIIMS Bhubaneswar Recruitment 2023: There is a great chance to get a job at AIIMS. All India Inst