New Delhi: In a fresh salvo, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has
targeted Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal alleging that eight of his
relatives are among the beneficiaries of the 34 coal blocks which were
allotted since he took charge of the ministry."The statement Jaiswal has given on this matter is not convincing. This issue is not about minority or majority but about propriety," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.
Mr Jaiswal, however, denied these allegations saying none of his family members are in the trade.
The BJP also stuck to its demand for cancellation of the 142 coal blocks allocated during UPA rule and asked the government to clarify whether any "comparative appraisal" of applicants was done and what was the criteria for making these allotments.
Heaping praise on the media for exposing "more wrongdoings" in coal block allocations, Mr Javadekar alleged the Screening Committee formed by the Centre for making these allotments was only a "facade".
"The coal block allocation process was twisted and manipulated. While the Committee had ten representatives from the Central government, there was only one from the state concerned. It appears that these bunglings were pre-planned and the motive was to make profits not as a nation but as a party," Mr Javadekar said.
He reiterated the BJP demand for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's resignation and cancellation of coal blocks allotments, alleging the process was "vitiated".
The BJP will launch a three-day nation-wide protest against corruption in UPA government, including in the coal scam, starting from August 31.
"We demand an explanation from the government on how it did comparative appraisal of the 1400 applications for 140 coal blocks. Please provide us details of the comparative appraisal. How and on what basis was this comparative assessment made?" Mr Javadekar said.
He also alleged that allocations were made arbitrarily and there is a lack of clarity in the criteria adopted. "How come 17 coal blocks were allotted in one day without any presentation being made by the applicants?" Mr Javadekar said.
Demanding that the government come clean on the facts of allotments and the criteria, Mr Javadekar said if the UPA dispensation refuses it will have to share the details in future under the Right to Information (RTI).
He also posed some questions to Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, who was the Food Processing Minister in 2008, whether he has any relation with Sudhir Kant Sahay, Director of SKS Ispat and Power Ltd. The minister had allegedly written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requesting his personal intervention for allocation of two coal blocks to SKS Ispat and Power Ltd.
Mr Javadekar asked if Sudhir Kant Sahay was present at the meeting of the screening committee held on February 7, 2008, where the coal block was allotted to SKS Ispat Ltd.
The BJP leader also alleged since mining has not yet started in these 142 mines, it shows the purpose of the block allocations was just to grab and pocket the coal blocks.
"The allottees wanted to pocket these mines for a secure future. This case has proved that the Prime Minister's growth story is not true. No coal has been dug from these mines nor any power generated or steel or cement made," Mr Javadekar said.
He also criticised the Prime Minister for questioning the CAG who holds a "constitutional post".
From: NDTV
