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CVC writes to Jogi on allegation of kickbacks in Balco deal

The Balco divestment controversy took a new turn with Central Vigilance Commissioner N Vittal writing to the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and CBI on the allegations of kickbacks in the Rs 5.515-billion deal for the sale of 51 per cent government equity in the aluminium giant.

"Yesterday a complaint was received from Ranchi that money had been paid to officials in the divestment ministry and I have written to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi and CBI Director R K Raghavan for their comments on it," Vittal said.

The CVC said that Divestment Minister Arun Shourie had earlier said that if there was any complaint of irregularities in the divestment process, the CVC was duty-bound to inquire into it.

Jogi had earlier alleged a Rs 1-billion payoff in the deal, a charge denied by Shourie.

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