By Girish Kumar Dubey
Alleging corruption by the Indian government in mining of cooking gas, Murli Manohar Joshi, lawmaker and senior leader of main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, sought comprehensive investigation into accusations against Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal.
A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court or apex court, claiming that Sibal waived off a huge penalty on cellular Reliance Communications for interruption of service in November 2010 instead of rupees 650 crore (6.5 billion) only five crore (50 million) was imposed.
Joshi charged that the federal government was working for corrupts.
"The government should reveal the facts of allegations against Kapil Sibal. If it is true, a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) inquiry should be constituted. It seems that this government is working for the corrupt and by the corrupt," said Joshi in Varanasi city of northern Uttar Pradesh state on Friday (July 08).
Citing audit report, Joshi alleged that the government gave undue favours to Reliance Industries, owned by tycoon Mukesh Ambani in gas exploration in southern Krishna-Godavari river basin.
"Earlier, the gas company had made provision for rupees 12,000 (120 billion) crore for the development for the project. It was passed as a project. After two years, the amount was raised to rupees 45,000 crore (450 billion)," added joshi.
Calling for a stringent actions against conspirators, Joshi claimed that cost of gas project development was raised from Rs 12,000 crore (120 billion) to 45000 crore (450 billion) by the finance ministry.
"Who was the Petroleum (Oil) Minister? Who was the Finance Minister? Who were the officers who made changes in the project report? As a result of this the cost of extracted gas, which was 1.20 per BBTU (a unit of cooking gas), was increased to $4.20 per BBTU," added Joshi.
He sought resignation of federal Home (Interior) Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram, who was also Finance Minister during 2004-08, for alleged roles in telecom and gas production scams.
"Chidambaram has no right to be in the Council of Ministers. There are many allegations regarding his way of functioning," added Joshi.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's second term has been hit by a series of graft scandals that have sparked off public anger and paralysed policymaking, diverting the government's attention from nurturing flagging economic growth and pushing forward reforms.
Topping the list is the telecom corruption scandal, which may have cost the Indian exchequer around $39.57 billion in potential revenue.
Alleging corruption by the Indian government in mining of cooking gas, Murli Manohar Joshi, lawmaker and senior leader of main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, seeks comprehensive investigation into accusations against Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL
VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JULY 08, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)
1. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI, LAWMAKER AND SENIOR LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY, ARRIVING TO ADDRESS MEDIA
2. JOSHI SITTING
3. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI, LAWMAKER AND SENIOR LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY, SAYING:
"The government should reveal the facts of allegations against Kapil Sibal. If it is true, a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) inquiry should be constituted. It seems that this government is working for the corrupt and by the corrupt,"
4. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI, LAWMAKER AND SENIOR LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY, SAYING:
"Earlier, the gas company had made provision for rupees 12,000 (120 billion) crore for the development for the project. It was passed as a project. After two years, the amount was raised to rupees 45,000 crore (450 billion),"
5. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI, LAWMAKER AND SENIOR LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY, SAYING:
"Who was the Petroleum (Oil) Minister? Who was the Finance Minister? Who were the officers who made changes in the project report? As a result of this the cost of extracted gas, which was 1.20 per BBTU (a unit of cooking gas), was increased to $4.20 per BBTU,"
6. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI, LAWMAKER AND SENIOR LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY, SAYING:
"Chidambaram has no right to be in the Council of Ministers. There are many allegations regarding his way of functioning,"
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