Coal import case hearing nearing completion

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, OCT. 17. The case pertaining to `coal import deal' during the previous AIADMK rule, is nearing completion with the examination of a witness by the defence before the Special Judge- II, Mr. S. S. P. Darwesh.

After completion of questioning of the accused under section 313 Cr.P.C., the Judge had posted the case for defence witnesses today. Accordingly, a witness was examined in chief. Cross- examination of the witness by the prosecution has been posted for tomorrow.

In his evidence, Mr. R. Venkataraman of Mysore, said he retired as Chief Engineer of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board in 1995. He knew about the import of coal-10 in 1993-94. The tender process was as per the board's tender regulations.

He said the quality of Indian coal was bad as it had a low calorific value with 40 per cent ash content. The boilers in the three thermal stations in the State could not directly take in the imported coal which had a high gross calorific value (GCV) as they were not designed to withstand that GCV. So the imported commodity had to be blended with the Indian coal and fed into the boilers, he said.After completion of examination of defence witnesses, the case would be posted for final arguments.

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