CBI gives clean-chit to officials of Indian Bureau of Mines

NEW DELHI: Mines Minister Dinsha Patel said CBI has given clean-chit to officials of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) over charges of irregularities in granting exploration licence in offshore waters of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

"The Central Bureau of Investigation has conducted a preliminary enquiry to investigate alleged irregularities in grant of exploration licence in the offshore waters of Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea and concluded that no misconduct was found on the part of any public servant of IBM in this case," Patel said in a written question in Lok Sabha.

The minister said a total of 63 minerals bearing blocks were notified in June 2010 by IBM Controller General for award of exploration licences.

"Out of a total 377 applications received against the said notification from 53 applicants, orders for grant of exploration licences were issued to 16 applicants for 62 blocks in April 2011," Patel said.

However, some of the aggrieved parties had moved the High Courts of Andhra Pradesh, Madras and Bombay (Nagpur Bench) against the grant of offshore exploration licences by IBM.