Comments
The Prime Minister's Office has rejected Team Anna's demand to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of corruption against 15 Cabinet ministers. It has also ruled out fast-track courts to hear charges against them.
Refuting allegations against the Prime Minister in the allocation of coal blocks, the PMO said: “You have provided no evidence to back up these allegations and you have yourself said that you are not making these allegations.” All these responses are part of a letter written by the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Mr V. Narayanasamy, to Anna Hazare.
It said that all details of the policy and procedures followed for coal block allocations have been placed in the public domain by the Coal Ministry. All decisions were taken in public interest on the basis of legal provisions and the policy in force.
Leaked draft
Mr Narayanasamy said the allegations made against the Prime Minister seem to be based on a leaked draft of the CAG on coal block allocations and on media stories. “The CAG's report (on coal block allocation) has not been placed before Parliament. When the report is tabled, the Government will present its response before the PAC (on the subject) as per the Constitutional process,” Mr. Narayanasamy said, adding that the CVC has already directed the CBI to hold a preliminary inquiry based on a complaint lodged by an MP in this regard.
Maintaining that the UPA government has “not at all” interfered with functioning of agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Board of Direct Taxes and the Comptroller and Auditor General, the PMO said Mr Hazare's impression about the CBI and its functioning was “wrong.”
Unacceptable
The PMO also rejected Mr Hazare's contention that the Supreme Court, High Courts and CAG had, on several occasions, charged the ministers with wrongdoings. “It is not only unclear but unacceptable,” Mr Narayanasamy said in his response.
Referring to Mr Hazare's allegations that the Government has scuttled the CBI probe against the Samajwadi Party president, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, he said it is not only unfair to make such charges against the government, the CBI and Mr Yadav, but also an “insult” to the justice delivery system.
Comments
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.