India loses $210 billion in coal sales in "mother of all scams"

India lost up to $210 billion in revenue by selling coal deposits too cheaply, according to a government auditor's draft report, renewing pressure on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is already reeling from corruption scandals.

Opposition parties reacted with outrage in parliament on Thursday to the report, which was leaked to the Times of India. The session was adjourned and the government said it would respond once it had verified the facts.

"We are examining the news report and I have called for records. After that I will reply," Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal told reporters.

The leaked draft from the Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) office criticises the government for allocating 155 valuable coalfields to about 100 private and some state-run miners instead of auctioning them off to the highest bidder. Full story...

Related posts:

1. Inside story: India's corruption exposed...
2. Being a whistleblower in corrupt India can be dangerous...
3. Corrupt Indian officials blamed for murder of activist Arup Kalita...
4. In corrupt India, asking "uncomfortable" questions can get you murdered...
5. India's anti-corruption chief faces corruption charges, forced to resign!!!
6. How India was plundered by the rich and the powerful...
7. Corruption has cost India $462 billion...
8. "30% Indians totally corrupt, 50% borderline ..." 
9. Who can cure India's corruption? 
10. Another Indian minister quits over corruption scandal... 
11. A Raja is inglorious No. 2 in Time magazine's list of top power abusers...