M A I N   N E W S

Govt defence: ‘Zero’ loss in coal block allocation
Coal wasn’t mined, so where’s the loss, asks PC
Anita Katyal/TNS

The government is keen to place the PM’s statement in the public domain by Monday as he is leaving for Iran on Tuesday for the NAM summit. The ruling combine is expected to reach out to the opposition on Monday in an attempt to resolve the ongoing impasse in Parliament.

Referring to the CAG report that the government incurred losses of Rs.1.86 crore in the allocation of 57 coal blocks to private firms, Chidambaram maintained the national auditor’s calculations were flawed. “The loss can only arise if coal is taken out of Mother Earth, mined and sold at a profit but if the coal is not mined, where is the loss” he pointed out. Jaiswal stated that of the 57 blocks allocated, mining had commenced only in one one block. .

Chidambaram also pointed out that the UPA was being wrongly targeted as it had followed the same procedures in the allocation of coal blocks adopted by the NDA regime, adding that it was this government which had proposed the process of competitive bidding. However, this policy was blocked by the opposition-ruled states of Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Odisha. He pointed to letters written by these governments opposing competitive bidding and insisting that the present system of allocation of coal blocks be continued.” In a federal system, the Centre cannot ride roughshod over state governments,”he said,adding that efforts were made to persuade the states and it was only when they agreed that a new policy was framed.

While one set of ministers was mandated to demolish the opposition attack, simultaneous efforts were made to reach out to the BJP to resolve the ongoing impasse in Parliament. Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Parlaimetnary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal met Lok Sabha opposition ledaer Sushma Swaraj to persuade her party to allow Parliament to function. The BJP is , however, standing firm on its demand for the PM’s resignation.

The UPA move

• As the belligerent BJP stepped up pressure for the Prime Minister’s resignation, the UPA fielded its senior ministers to mount a counter offensive against the Opposition
• The government raised questions about CAG’s report on presumptive loss while stressing that there was no loss or windfall gain in the allocation of 57 coal blocks under scrutiny as no mining has taken place
• Government sources disclosed that the PM could even place the facts before the public through a national address on radio and television if the Opposition persists with its stalling tactics in Parliament on Monday