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We had complained to the CAG in 2010: BJP
The investigation into the alleged coal scam was initiated after they filed a complaint to the CVC, claims BJP
Komal Sachdeva
New Delhi
What started out as Team Anna accusing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of being involved in an out-of-turn allotment of coal block and possibilities of widespread corruption, has now turned into a war of words between the Bharatiya Jananta Party (BJP) and the Congress, with the BJP claiming that it had filed complaints with the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) who in turn referred it to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The CBI move came after the CVC forwarded a complaint filed to it by BJP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Javadekar in March 2010. In April 2010, The agency was asked by the CVC to submit a report within 12 weeks and start a preliminary enquiry if required. The period under scrutiny is 2006-2009, during which, the coal ministry was handled by the prime minister. In a video released on Friday, Javadekar claimed that the complaint was made by a fellow BJP member Hansraj Ahir in 2010 to CAG, “He (Ahir) had made a special mention in the permanent committee about coal mines being allotted by without bidding on a large scale. He had also written to CAG for a special audit,” Javadekar said.
However, Javedekar expressed his happiness at the CVC's response. He said, “CVC has written that our complaints have been duly examined in the commission and in regards of the issues raised (and not allegations) the same have been forwarded to the CBI for the preliminary enquiry, which is the first step.” He added, “We are happy that CVC has made cognizance to the complaints made and decided to act. Now we’ll have to see how the CBI carries out the enquiry”.
Team Anna, however, has rejected the move for a CBI enquiry, saying that they have “no faith in CBI". They called CBI a “puppet of the government’s that directly answers to the PM” and said the result of the enquiry is already known. They further questioned “why the PM is apprehensive about an independent enquiry if he is so honest.”
On Team Anna’s accusation, the BJP spokesperson said, “We’ve been fighting this case for the last four years. We cannot comment on who is right and who is wrong.”
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