CONGRESS DEMANDS CBI PROBE INTO COAL SYNDICATE IN ASSAM

The Opposition Congress in Assam has demanded a CBI probe into the alleged coal syndicate operating in the state, while calling for constitution of an all-party House committee to probe into allegations of ‘syndicates raj’ in other items. Leader of Opposition in Assam legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia said, “There have been reports of overloading of coal trucks and syndicates running the coal trade in the state. Our MLAs have also caught overloaded coal-carrying trucks and handed over the same to the police several times. Since Coal India Ltd deals with the coal trade here, we demand a CBI enquiry into the allegations of syndicates operating in this sector.” He further alleged that similar syndicates have grown and are controlling trade of various items like sand and food items. Saikia said, “The Congress has repeatedly raised this matter in the state Assembly. We demand the government to form an all-party House committee to look into these reports.”

He also alleged of corruption in a tractor-distribution scheme under ‘Chief Minister’s Samagra Gramya Vikash Yojana’, claiming that a company, which is in the process of being declared insolvent by the Centre, has been given priority in providing contract for tractors distribution under the scheme.