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By raising the coal scam again in Parliament, the Opposition managed to scuttle the Government’s efforts to get the National Food Security Bill passed today, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Dissatisfied over Coal Minister, Sriprakash Jaiswal’s explanation on the “missing files,” the Opposition demanded in both the Houses that the Prime Minister should clarify the Government’s position on the issue.
Jaiswal admitted that certain files, particularly those dating before 2004, are missing from his Ministry.
He said an inter-ministerial team, led by an Additional Secretary, had been asked to locate those documents.
In the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition said Jaiswal had indirect involvement on the missing of files and he should not be allowed to make a statement on the issue. The Opposition MPs urged the Prime Minister to make a statement on the issue.
In the Lok Sabha, Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj said the Prime Minister had claimed responsibility for the decisions in the Coal Ministry when it was directly under the Prime Minister’s Office.
The principal Opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleged that the Government was deliberately trying to cover up the issue to shield the Prime Minister.
‘Bid to scuttle probe’
Party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said the Government was trying to scuttle the ongoing probe into the coal block allocations.
The CPI (M) too has demanded an explanation from the Prime Minister.
Jaiswal said the Ministry had handed over nearly 769 files with more than 1,50,000 pages to the CBI.
Sharing information
He said the Government was willing to share all information on the issue with the investigating agency.
“All efforts are being made to locate documents which are not readily available in the Ministry of Coal,” Jaiswal claimed.
Both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned over the issue.
The Government was hopeful of passing the Food Security Bill on Tuesday.
The Government has taken a stand that Jaiswal’s statement has clarified the Government’s position and there was no need for the Prime Minister to give further explanation in Parliament.
jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in
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