India: Coalgate: PM makes statement in Lok Sabha, questions CAG observations

Major news in <The Times of India>: Coalgate: PM makes statement in Lok Sabha amid BJP uproar, questions CAG observations

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a statement on coal block allocation in Parliament on Monday in the wake of the CAG report, which has been used by opposition to attack him.

The PM read out his statement amid slogan shouting by the BJP members.

Manmohan Singh defended the government and said the allegations levelled by CAG are baseless.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a statement on coal block allocation in Parliament on Monday amid slogan shouting by BJP members. (Photo: The Times of India)

I wish to say that any allegations of impropriety are without basis and unsupported by the facts, said the PM.

The observations of the CAG are clearly disputable, he said.

The PM’s statement, which was also released on the twitter account of PMO, said, “I once again appeal to the opposition to let the House function. Let the country judge where the truth lies.”

The PM said he takes full responsibility for decisions of coal ministry whose charge was with him during the period assessed by CAG.

Later, addressing mediamen outside Parliament, the PM said that the govt will challenge the CAG observations when it comes up in the parliamentary accounts committee.

The Prime Minister, who is under attack over the allocation during 2005-2009 when he held the coal portfolio, has been waiting to make a statement since last week but could not do so because of disruption caused by opposition, mainly BJP.

The BJP has been demanding that the Prime Minister first tender his resignation over the issue.

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