manmohan singh coal minister

Manmohan singh coal minister

The Coal block allocation scam and all events surrounding it bear a strong resemblance to the entire 2G scam drama. A senior Minister formulating or following a policy that resulted in three unfortunate and unwarranted implications: a massive loss to the exchequer; a windfall gain to private entities; and the plundering of a national resource.Arguably, parallels can be drawn between former Telecom Minister A.Raja and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. While Dr. Singh’s personal integrity has rarely been questioned thus far, the ‘Coalgate’ scam has cast serious aspersions over his honesty. A brief study of the CAG report would convince most readers of the fact that there was something more unnatural than mere ‘unusual’ in the manner in which coal blocks were ‘allocated’ to private entities. Especially, during the period in which Dr. Singh held additional charge of the Coal Ministry.

Here is a summary of the exact allegation on the Prime Minister, (first made by India Against Corruption (Team Anna) during their onslaught against fifteen Cabinet ministers and then followed up by the Opposition since the tabling of the CAG report in the Rajya Sabha.)

Dr. Manmohan Singh is the Prime Minister since May 2004 and was personally in-charge of the Coal Ministry from November 2006 to May 2009. The average allotment of coal blocks was 3-4 per year until a few years back. But this number shot up drastically to 22-24 during 2006-09 when Dr. Singh was in charge, raising questions about the manner in which these allotments were made. All the allotments were made without protecting the interest of public exchequer, and without following any competitive process.

The current Coal Minister was up in arms the day after the CAG report was out and criticised the Auditor stating that it’s methods of loss calculation were flawed. His justification for the sudden increase in allocations was that “Coal India alone could not have met the demand” for coal production which is required in electricity generation. Fair enough, one would say. However, the fact is most of the ‘beneficiary’ companies who were allocated the blocks were ineligible to receive them. Many of them got the allocations based on false representations and claims of tie ups with companies that don’t even exist!

For a moment, let us assume that the Prime Minister or the Congress did not receive any monetary gain for committing this ‘lapse in governance.’ If the CEO of a company commits such a mistake and his company faces a presumptive loss to the tune of lakhs of crores of rupees, he has no option but to resign! All his defence and explanation has to wait. So, why should there be different standards for the Prime Minister of a country? We are the shareholders or stakeholders of this country and we deserve accountability. If we have lost so much money, and Dr. Singh is responsible for it – it is only fair that he must go.....

This entire week, the Parliament was not allowed to function as the BJP-led Opposition continued to disallow business in the House to demand Dr. Singh’s resignation. Whether or not the obstructionism is justified is in a grey area. On the one hand, the country has lost far more money through the Coalgate scam, than it would lose because of the Parliament not functioning. On the other hand, there are a number of Bills pending which need to be discussed soon. In another attempt to defend the Government, Finance Minister P Chidambaram repeated the notorious ‘zero loss’ claim made to protect .
Raja during the 2G scam issue by Kapil Sibal. He said, “I deeply regret the presumptive loss concept as it is totally flawed. If coal is not mined, where is the loss? The loss will only occur if coal is sold at a certain price or under valued.” If I have understood the Finance Minister correctly, a car thief who does not use or sell the stolen vehicles has not caused any loss to the owner of the cars! Assuming the people to be so naive, is an insult to his fellow Indians’ sensibilities.

About my Blog

Hi Everyone !!! Winston Churchill once said "when ever we leave India, It would be ruled by the goons" and looking at present condition of the country and deeds of the political class. The statement is proved true even after 67 years after gaining independence. When an officer halts illegal activity then the ruling class dismisses the officer and dictates to ruling party that if they say anything against the decision then the support of their MP's in Parliament would be taken back. Every person in power rules their people rather then administering efficiently for their upliftment. PreIndependence era was 100 times better wrto law and order, implementation of laws and another merit about British era was that we were much better placed in transport sector in pre independence era, train journey from Ambala cantt to Amritsar took 4 hrs then and it still takes 4 hrs in superfast class of trains....isn't it shameful. In India a major portion of the votes which are given is often purchased by the candidates(who have deep pockets filled with money which they gulped in their last term). Majority of the people put votes by keeping their castes in mind and making as goon win elections(from their own cast), rather then choosing a candidate with clean image. Some percentage of Indian voters are really really foolish(according to me) as we can clearly see around 30 percent of criminals representing people, These criminals would never ever be convicted because as they say "supremacy of parliament should be maintained" and they are above the law. This bloody notion that Parliament is above all other institutions(even the constitution) is helping in shielding the criminals/corrupt people who have reached there by hook/crook and muscle power. The whole bloody system is corrupt, people are sleeping, Political class is doing nothing for country as various initiatives which were good for country like "Hum do hamare do" for controlling population is no more advertised and is informally taken back by the government with the sole reason being that if population is controlled and people start studying till the level when they can understand things good for country then they would root out the present political class, So why hit your own feet with axe. When Politicians follow approach of "Divide and Rule" over people rather then unite them together for the country, Looks like the political class have put country up for sale, everything can be purchased here votes, goons, riots, disharmony, and we are thaught that britishers played "Divide and Rule". I still think that if Britain didn't go bankrupt after second world war then they would have administered us for a longer duration and we would have been technologically ahead by atleast ten years as of now. I still firmly believe this country needs a revolution against corrupt political class, so that we can maintain the rich history we possesed, rather then saying britishers took it all away, whereas actually it's the political class which is taking it all away from the country and selling the country to foreign hands. I somwtimes wonder about why in USA the party which wins the election and forms government is termed as 'Administration' whereas in India we are 'ruled' by the politicians which we elect. God save this country because if some offcial wants to do right he/she is transferred/suspended (for example Ashok Khemka and Durga nagpal), there would be many others which the media class is not paid for to highlight. GOD SAVE THIS COUNTRY from going to the gallows!! JAI HIND!!

manmohan singh coal minister