Most Blocks Were Allocated Between 2005 & 2009 New Delhi: Ahead of filing FIRs in the coalgate scam, the CBI has identified several companies which were allocated blocks long back but had not started any work yet, sources said. “We have identified some 27 companies which have not begun production of coal till date,” a CBI source said, adding that the agency has zeroed in on some officials of different ministries who were members of the screening committees in three states — Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka — where these 27 companies were allocated blocks and is planning to question them. The CBI is expected to file cases against some of these private companies by the end of this week as well as conduct raids at various places. The CBI’s preliminary enquiry has found that private companies misrepresented facts including their financial status to get coal blocks, despite not being eligible for the work, sources said. CBI officials remained tightlipped about the names of the companies claiming they had to conduct raids and collect evidence. The agency has already examined secretaries and joint secretaries in the coal ministry, officials of private companies and others who were part of the screening committees. CBI sources said they will also question some top ranking officials of nine ministries and PSUs, which are linked to the allocation of coal blocks. The agency’s enquiry has so far revealed that most of the blocks were allocated between 2005 and 2009. Agency officials also said they would not look into policy issues and their probe would only relate to use of blocks. Nationwide protests by BJP starting Friday Hof arping 142 coal on its blocks demand and for demanding cancellation PM Manmohan Singh’s resignation over the coal scam, opposition BJP on Wednesday said it will launch a nationwide agitation from Friday. Party spokesman Prakash Javadekar said BJP will organize demonstrations in 40 cities across the country. “On August 31, September 1 and 2, our leaders will go to 40 cities and we will launch our protest,” he said. TNN