Come clean on VVIP chopper deal: BJP
New Delhi: BJP on Monday asked Congress to come clean on reports alleging that close associates of a former Union Minister and a Congress vice president were beneficiaries of the bribes paid in the VVIP chopper deal. In a posting on the website of PIB on February 14, a reference was made in Point 32 from the Director of Income Tax that kickbacks were paid to middlemen in the chopper deal.
“After accepting this, the Government is now trying to find out who were paid bribes. The name of family members of a former Union Minister and a close associate of a Congress vice-president are coming up,” BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy told reporters. “We will raise this issue strongly in Parliament,” Rudy said.When asked if the BJP wanted the `3,600 crore deal to be scrapped, the BJP MP said it is “inconsequential” and the main issue is to find out who were paid the kickbacks.
“This is a monumental scam in which kickbacks of `360 crore were paid. Antony is now giving several orders and statements and is struggling to keep his Mr Clean image. “But the fact remains that he has been Defence Minister since October 24, 2006,” Rudy said.
Govt ready for discussion: PM
New Delhi: Apprehensive of the Opposition stalling Parliament on VVIP chopper deal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said that the Govt is ready to discuss all issues in Parliament, including the VVIP chopper deal. “We can always sit down. There is scope for discussion. Parliament is a forum for discussion. We are ready to discuss all issues,” Singh said. Congress also made similar appeal while charging BJP of becoming habitual of disrupting Parliament. Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury said that whatever clarifications BJP needs, they should come and ask in the House. “We have never said that we won’t reply to their questions. So, why are they shying away from coming to Parliament and raising these issuesIJ,” she wondered.
goa’s mining front seeks PM’s help
New Delhi: The Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) on Monday submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention for immediate resumption of mining operations in Goa. The association on behalf of acceted parties and families, requested the PM to evolve an affirmative political consensus between the State and the Centre and Report submitted by Justice MB Shah Commission on the matter be thoroughly scrutinised by an expert committee. The front also requested PM for urgent instructions to Finance Ministry and RBI to restructure and defer the repayment of loans secured from financial institutions and to waive-off the interest on the borrowings by the Mining related stake-holders, according to a the memorandum.
Social worker Bhatt gets Peace Prize
New Delhi: Noted social worker Ela Ramesh Bhatt was on Monday conferred the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development by President Pranab Mukherjee.
