With the Opposition seeking clarification from the Prime Minister on missing coal block files, CPI(M) today justified the demand saying this was necessary as the allocations were made when the Coal Ministry was under his supervision.
"Why is the government not being transparent? ... Let the Prime Minister make a statement ... The files belong to the period when he was in charge of the Coal Ministry. So, the Prime Minister should explain," senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told a press conference here.
The government did not reply to "my simple question as to whether they had lodged an FIR" on the missing files. "It concerns tampering with evidence. Stealing of government files is also a criminal offence," he said.
His party colleague Basudeb Acharia claimed "most of the (missing) files relate to allocation of coal blocks to big houses like Jindals and Tatas, mostly during 2007... All the allocations were approved by the Prime Minister. There could be a few files which were before 2004."
Acharia said the Prime Minister had earlier himself stated that he owed moral responsibility as most of the allocations were made through screening committees when the Ministry was under his charge. "Then why is the government not forthcoming," he asked.
Blaming the UPA for not being interested in running the House, Yechury said the ruling coalition was "trying to blame the Opposition for stalling the House and not allowing the Food Security Bill to be passed".
He said this legislation was part of the priorities to be implemented by the UPA-II government in the first 100 days it assumed office and was part of the address by the President to the joint sitting of Parliament.
"Now 100 days have passed 15 times. Who stopped them from bringing this legislation for all these days? It is the case of 'Ulta chor kotwal to daante' (the thief scolding the policeman)," Yechury said.
He asked the government to talk to all parties, reach an understanding and end the disruption in both Houses.
