The Prime Minister's Office, PMO has handed over to CBI the file related to the controversial allocation of coal block to Hindalco in Odisha, as sought by the investigation agency. A PMO official told PTI that the CBI had sought the file related to the allocation and the file was given to CBI on its receipt. The PMO informed CBI that it is ready to provide any other information, if required, about the allocation of Talabira coal block made in 2005.

The Prime Minister has defended the decision as entirely appropriate and based on merits of the case presented to him.

Controversy erupted over the allocation after CBI registered an FIR against Birla and former Coal Secretary PC Parakh last week.