Joshi slams govt on KG basin deals

Days after Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar returned his report on 2G scam,Public Accounts Committee chairman Murli Manohar Joshi on Friday opened a new front against the government.

He launched a scathing attack on the Centre over the draft CAG report on KG basin gas contracts and indicated the PAC could take up the matter for inquiry. On the 2G report,Joshi said he would place the document before the new PAC and let the members decide its fate.

The CPM too said the report exposed the nexus between the government and Reliance Industries and asked the Prime Minister to order an inquiry. CPM leader Sitaram Yechury demanded action against then Director General (Hydrocarbons) and other officials on the basis of the draft CAG report.

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Joshi alleged the contents of the leaked draft CAG report showed how the government permitted private oil an gas explorers to indulge in corruption and questioned the delay on the part of the Petroleum Ministry in vetting the document. Why such a delay… the government should explain, he said.

He sought a reply from the Centre on the damning observations made by the CAG. There have been a series of scams in UPA II. The draft CAG report is the latest example… Instead of tackling corruption,the UPA is promoting corruption and supporting the corrupt, he said.

Joshi sought a probe to establish how the report was leaked and said he planned to move a Privilege Motion in Parliament. He indicated the PAC could take up the issue of corruption in KG basin gas contracts. Any member can raise this issue, he said,when asked whether the PAC can take up the matter without obtaining the CAG report.

Joshi also talked about gas pricing the CAG report was on production sharing contracts and said it needs to be explained if the EGoM which looked into pricing was under any pressure. Coincidentally,the finance minister then was P Chidambaram. As home minister he sent a wrong list of names (of most wanted to Pakistan). Now questions are being raised about his election. He is not fit to be in the Cabinet. I demand that he should be removed from the Cabinet, Joshi said.