Coal Mining Scam
or Coalgate is a corruption scandal wherein the Comptroller and Auditor
General of India (CAG) office accused the Government of India for providing the
nation's coal deposits to private and state-run entities in an irregular and
arbitrary manner instead of publicly auctioning them off to the highest bidder,
resulting in a loss of approximately 
186,000 crore (US$33.67
billion) to the exchequer during the period 2004-2009.[1][2][3] There were leaks of
the report in media in March 2012 which claimed the figure to be around 1,060,000 crore (US$191.86
billion). [4] It
is called by the media as the Mother of all Scams.[5][6] Discussion about the
issue was placed in the Parliament on 26th Aug, 2012 by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with wide
protests from the opposition. [7]
According to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, this is a leak of the initial draft and the details being brought out were observations which are under discussion at a very preliminary stage. [8] On 29th May 2012, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh offered to give up his public life if found guilty in this scam.[9]
In 1973, the Indira Gandhi government nationalized coking and non-coking coal mines in the country. In 1976, government introduced two exceptions to this policy.
According to a report published in Times Of India, 155 coal blocks were allocated to about 100 public and private companies, including some electricity boards:[11][12]
186,000 crore (US$33.67
billion) to the exchequer during the period 2004-2009.[1][2][3] There were leaks of
the report in media in March 2012 which claimed the figure to be around 1,060,000 crore (US$191.86
billion). [4] It
is called by the media as the Mother of all Scams.[5][6] Discussion about the
issue was placed in the Parliament on 26th Aug, 2012 by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with wide
protests from the opposition. [7]According to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, this is a leak of the initial draft and the details being brought out were observations which are under discussion at a very preliminary stage. [8] On 29th May 2012, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh offered to give up his public life if found guilty in this scam.[9]
In 1973, the Indira Gandhi government nationalized coking and non-coking coal mines in the country. In 1976, government introduced two exceptions to this policy.
- Captive mining by private companies engaged in production of iron and steel.
- Sub-lease of coal mining to private parties in isolated pockets not amenable to economic development and not requiring rail transport.
According to a report published in Times Of India, 155 coal blocks were allocated to about 100 public and private companies, including some electricity boards:[11][12]
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