CBI's probe into Coal & Oil ministries affects work and scares bureaucrats

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a wide-ranging probe into the energy sector, with daily visits to the coal ministry to scrutinise files on coal blocks, and has issued notices to two former oil ministry officials on procedural issues.
The CBI is studying the allotment of coal blocks, eligibility of companies that were awarded the mines, and whether the coal is being used for captive purposes, or being illegally sold in the open market, government officials said.
"While studying the files, if the CBI finds any other matter that looks irregular or suspicious, it can investigate further in that direction also," said a government official, who did not want to be identified as the matter is sensitive.
Coal ministry officials said regular visits of CBI officials had affected routine work of their junior staff, which is assisting the agency in the lengthy and time-consuming process of obtaining various records. However, decision-making has not been affected as officials in key positions are not directly interacting with the agency.
One official said most officials currently in the ministry were not involved in the allocation of blocks, which were given to companies by the previous government.
In the oil ministry, however, there is a deeper sense of discomfort as the CBI has issued notices to at least four bureaucrats, including two IAS officers who have served in the ministry in the past. The notices are for violation of certain rules in matters that officials say are relatively small.
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The issues involve sharing policymaking matters with a state firm, allowing a gas customer to shift his plant to a new location, and retail gas supply.
An IAS officer, who has been issued a show-cause notice, said: "We have taken decisions involving billions of dollars, but it is sad that we are being probed for matters like a small error in the file for shifting of an office."