The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday raided multiple offices of Coal Ministry officials in connection with an alleged coal levy scam. The raids were conducted in Delhi, Kolkata, and Bhubaneswar.
The ED is investigating allegations that certain Coal Ministry officials colluded with private companies to evade coal levies amounting to crores of rupees. The officials are also accused of abusing their position to grant undue favours to these companies.
The ED seized several documents and electronic evidence during the raids. The agency is likely to question the officials in the coming days.
The coal levy scam is the latest in a series of corruption cases that have rocked the Coal Ministry in recent years. In 2012, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case against several Coal Ministry officials for allegedly awarding coal blocks to private companies at below-market rates.
The coal levy scam is just the latest example of the corruption that has plagued the sector for years. The ED’s raids are a welcome development. The government must take strong action against corruption in the coal sector. The government must ensure that the coal mining sector is transparent and accountable. Only then can the sector contribute to the country’s economic growth. The coal levy scam is a serious matter. The ED’s investigation must be thorough and impartial.
