This Article is From Aug 17, 2012

Sriprakash Jaiswal defends coal block allocation, slams CAG

Sriprakash Jaiswal defends coal block allocation, slams CAG
New Delhi: After the CAG report on coal block allocations was tabled in Parliament. Coal Minister Srtiprakash Jaiswal spoke to the media and slammed the CAG report.

The report by the government's auditor - the Comptroller and auditor General or CAG - states that nearly 150 coal fields were allotted to private and state-run firms without transparency and objectivity between 2005 and 2009. 

Highlights of his press conference.

 

-- Captive coal block allocation started as Coal India alonecould not have met the demand.


-- Coal allocation started to speed the industrialisationand development in country.


-- CAG has pointed out losses in 57 blocks.


-- We object to the CAG's method of calculation of losses to the exchequer.
 

-- Screening committee with representative from states, end user ministries, Coal India Ltd (CIL) official and coal ministry can't be more transparent.


-- At the time when the policy was made to allocate coal blocks was the best possible policy.

-- The 2 coal blocks given to Tata and Jindal was given for  "coal to liquid" - solve India's crude deficiency.

-- Coal to liquid block given to Tata and JSPL has not gone into production only because of technology being not available.

-- Similarly in the steel sector or cement sector, benefits would have accrued to the people of India.

-- This policy was focussed on increasing output and economic growth.

-- Coal allocation led to growth and attracted foreign investment.

-- Couldn't have had a more transparent allocation process

-- Govt made sure that 30 coal blocks became operational despite forest and environmental problems.

-- Coal ministry has also de-allocated blocks so CAG's calculation of losses is not correct.

-- Opposition demand for PM's resignation is meaningless.

-- Bidding process was not introduced because of opposition from 3 state government-Rajasthan(BJP govt at that time), Chhattisgarh (BJP), West Bengal (Left parties)




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