"The policy of allocation of coal blocks to private parties, which the CAG has criticised, was not not a new policy introduced by the UPA. The policy has existed since 1993 and previous government also allocated coal blocks in precisely the manner that the CAG has now now criticised," he said.
In a 32-point rebuttal of the CAG findings on the coal block allocations, which it says could lead to an undue benefit of Rs. 1.86 lakh crore to private parties, and the opposition allegations, Singh made the statement in Parliament amidst upraor saying, "the observations of the CAG are clearly disputable."
Outside Parliament, which was paralysed again today, he attacked BJP for disrupting proceedings but appealed to the Opposition to come back to the House and debate. "Let the people decide what is truth".
BJP was not not convinced by the Prime Minister's statement and insisted on his resignation taking "moral responsibility" for the revenue loss. It declared continuation of its policy of disrupting Parliament.
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj alleged that the Congress party got "hefty sums" from allotees of the coal block. She said if BJP was isolated on the issue, the party would continue to disrupt Parliament.
Her counterpart in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley demanded cancellation of all the 142 licences given by UPA II and put them up for competitive bidding. Then it will be clear that the CAG's report was correct as was proved in the 2G case when bidding was done after cancellation. (More)
