The government today clarified that there is no adverse record against Sant Singh Chatwal, who was confereed with Padma Bhusan Award this year. Referring to reports appearing in the media in this regard, a Home Ministry statement said that though CBI had registered five cases against Chatwal that between 1992 and 1994, for alleged financial fraud, he was ultimately discharged by the Court. The statement added that Padma Awards are conferred only after consideration in terms of the guidelines regulating the award and after observance of established and elaborate procedures.<br/><br/>Refering to his outstanding contribution, the Home Ministry said, Mr Chatwal is a tireless advocate of India’s interests in USA and has been working relentlessly for strengthening bilateral relationships between India and the United States. He is Trustee of William J. Clinton Foundation which focuses on critical global issues such as health care, climate change and economic empowerment of the underprivileged in the world community. Mr Chatwal has distinguished himself in the hospitality sector and been an active member of the NRI community in the USA in securing support for the nuclear deal among the members of the Congress of the United States.<br/><br/>The Congress today signalled distancing itself from the government on the issue of awarding the Padma Bhushan to US-based NRI hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal. Maintaining that such awards should not be given to those with a taint, the ruling party said it was for the government to explain the reasons for the award to Chatwal who, had been chargesheeted by the CBI in a fraud case. <br/><br/>AICC spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said today in New Delhi,in general, this award should be given to people who enhance its prestige and not to those with a taint. He said, the Ministry of Home Affairs might have reasons for giving the award to the hotelier.<br/><br/>Ludhiana MP and Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said,there is a rigorous committee-based process which scrutinises and vets every recommendation.It is incorrect for any party to try and score political brownie points.