Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today said the government is ready for any discussion on CAG report on Coal. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, he said the government can give satisfactory answers to all issues being raised.
Strongly defending the Government, Union Minister, Kapil Sibal today charged the opposition ruled States for blocking the coal block auctions. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Mr. Sibal said that coal producing states including Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand had opposed allocation of coal mines to private firms through competitive bidding or auction.
Rejecting the oppossition demand ,Mr. Sibal strongly pleaded for a debate on the issue.
Union Law Minister, Salman Khurshid said that there was ample transparency in the coal block allocation process. He said that state governments recommendations formed the basis of allocation of these blocks.
Senior Congress leader, Ambika Soni told reporters that BJP is not in favour of a discussion on the issue. She said if they wanted a discussion, the party would have given a notice for it. Mrs. Soni said without allowing Parliament to function, they are demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Pawan Kumar Bansal told reporters that Government is prepared to hold a discussion on the issue.
The opposition stalled both the Houses of Parliament today seeking the resignation of the Prime Minister on the issue. The two Houses were first adjourned till noon and later for the day after members trooped in the well pressing for their demand. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha met for the first time after the CAG report on Coal and two other reports were tabled in Parliament on Friday last.
AIR Correspondent reports that the Comptroller and Auditor General in its report last week stated that coal blocks allocated since 2004 to private firms for captive usage without bidding amounted to extending undue financial bid of about 1.86 lakh crore rupees. The Prime Minister held the coal portfolio for most of the duration.
