BJP for coal enquiry panel, says Manmohan should depose

BJP leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley on Friday demanded that the Centre institute a commission of enquiry covering all coal block allocations.

BJP leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley on Friday demanded that the Centre institute a commission of enquiry covering all coal block allocations.

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He was responding to questions at a news conference on whether the BJP would demand an enquiry into alleged losses through the commercial use rights acquired in a coal block in Chhattisgarh by Rajya Sabha BJP MP Ajay Sancheti, who is considered close to Nitin Gadkari.“He (Sancheti) is a holder of minority share acquired through competitive bidding in a PSU. If somebody thinks there’s an irregularity, let them enquire… Let the Centre have a commission of enquiry, let the PM depose and all issues will be covered.”

Jaitley said a 2005 note approved by the PM, which is now in public domain, showed the PMO accepting — that CMs’ objections to auctions had been struck down, auctions wouldn’t hike power rates, and that the screening committee method should be followed till the law mandating auction comes up.

The BJP reiterated its demand to cancel all coal block allocations and rejected the Centre’s stand that an inter-ministerial group will decide on which allocations should be cancelled. Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, who was also at the press meet, dubbed the IMG an “eyewash”.

Accusing the UPA government of being “a regime committed to kleptocracy”, Jaitley said the BJP would now take the battle to the streets. The party’s core group would meet on September 13 to firm up its plans, Swaraj added.