Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma today came under fire from BJP in Rajya Sabha with the saffron party accusing him of "wrongdoings" in giving mobile phones, gifts and money to 1,000 people from his constituency after making them National Steel Consumers Council (NSCC) members.
Replying to a short notice question by Prakash Javadekar of BJP, Verma, however, justified his action, and said Rs 1.75 crore was spent on the meeting of the NSCC in Lucknow on February 3.
Verma claimed that the meet was part of efforts by his ministry to boost India's steel capacity to 300 million tonnes (MT) by 2025.
Javadekar asked was it not the case that only people from steel, house building and related industries are appointed as members of NSCC and if it was so, how could the ministry appoint over 1000 members without apparently having the right background.
He had also asked specifically as to whether these people were distributed cash and gifts worth crores at the meeting.
In his reply, Verma said Rs 1.75 crore was spent on the event in which Dalits, backwards and minorities participated and accused BJP of "having problems" whenever something was done for these sections of society. Verma represents Gonda in Uttar Pradesh.
He stressed that it was a Steel Consultative Committee meeting and the persons attending were given to and fro fares and TA, DA.
Mobile phones were provided as part of a kit handed over to the invitees and for boarding and lodging, each member was paid Rs 7,000 and Rs 1,000 for local transport, he added.
Verma also said it would be his effort to ensure that the next Consumer Council meet is attended by 2,000 people.
Javadekar alleged that people who were invited and given cash benefits had nothing to do with the steel industry. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien later expunged some remarks.
"He (Verma) has appointed 1000 people from his constituency. They have nothing to do with Steel ministry... How can you give 1000 people from one constituency such mobiles, gifts and Rs 8000...Will you institute an inquiry for these wrongdoings and appointments...The question is that will Government enquire into this episode," Javadekar said.
