With roots deep into Chhattisgarh’s coal-rich regions, the Coal Levy Scam has brought to light alleged extensive corruption involving influential figures in the political and bureaucratic circle.
India, a country with an abundance of natural resources, has been plagued with multiple cases of mismanagement and illicit activities related to these resources. One such recent scandal is the Coal Levy Scam that emerged in Chhattisgarh, involving bureaucrats, politicians, businessmen, and middlemen. The state is rich in coal reserves, a key driver of its economy. However, the corruption case linked to these reserves has raised serious questions about the state’s governance and its political leadership.
A Peek into the Scandal
The Coal Levy Scam is an alleged illegal extraction of money from coal transporters in Chhattisgarh, primarily orchestrated by a cartel. The scam came to light after the Enforcement Directorate (ED), a specialized financial investigation agency under the Government of India, began probing the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The racket involved a purported illegal levy of Rs 25 per tonne for every tonne of coal transported within the state, with the ED estimating the scam’s worth to be over Rs 800 crore. This illegal extraction operation allegedly enjoyed support from top-ranking officials of the state government and local police, ensuring the smooth functioning of the scam.
The Accused and Their Alleged Roles
| Accused | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Suryakant Tiwari | Coal businessman and alleged kingpin of the scam | Arrested and assets worth Rs 170 crore attached |
| Ranu Sahu | IAS officer who was the collector of Raigarh and Korba districts | Arrested and assets worth Rs 5.5 crore attached |
| Sameer Vishnoi | IAS officer, ex-collector of Raigarh and Korba districts | Arrested and in custody since October 2022 |
| Saumya Chaurasia | Chhattisgarh Civil Service officer, posted as deputy secretary in Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel’s office | Chargesheet filed against her and assets worth Rs 7.57 crore attached |
| Devender Yadav and Chandradev Prasad Rai | Congress MLAs from Khairagarh and Lormi constituencies | Assets worth Rs 51.40 crore attached but not arrested |
| Ram Gopal Agarwal | State treasurer of Congress | Assets worth Rs 51.40 crore attached but not arrested |
| Sunil Agarwal, Laxmi Kant Tiwari, Vinod Tiwari | Businessmen and associates of Suryakant Tiwari | Arrested and assets worth Rs 170 crore attached |
Political Implications
The Coal Levy Scam has led to significant political fallout due to the accused’s close links with Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister, Bhupesh Baghel of the Congress party. Despite Baghel’s claim of the ED raids being politically motivated, the ED has alleged that the illegally obtained proceeds were funneled into the party funds, used during the Khairagarh bypolls. The opposition party, BJP, demanded a CBI probe into the scandal and accused Baghel of shielding his associates, escalating the political tensions in the state.
Recent Development
While the investigation is still ongoing, the case has seen multiple arrests and attachments. The ED is seeking information from various state departments like mining, transport, revenue, and police to gather more evidence. The accused have denied the allegations, with many moving courts for bail or to quash the FIRs. The political ramifications of this case are expected to be significant as the state heads towards the next assembly elections in 2028. As of now, the total value of attached properties in this case stands at about Rs 221.5 crore.
Also Read: Coal Levy Scam: Meaning, Implications, Accused And Recent Status I India CSR
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