New Delhi:
Law Minister Salman Khurshid today defended the Congress-led UPA government over the coal scandal. Here are the highlights of Mr Khurshid's press conference:
- There is an insinuation that we delayed an auction and allowed some to take benefit of the delay. But we followed normal process.
- It takes time for this kind of a legislation to be passed.
- Law Ministry felt MMRDA needs to be amended. New amendment was introduced in Parliament which went to Standing Committee, which said the states need to be taken on board.
- In 2010, the states agreed and the legislation was passed.
- There was no delay in passing the legislation.
- While it takes 2-3 years to pass the legislation, the question is should we stop giving coal to power, steel industry?
- Of the 57 blocks referred to in the CAG report, 20 of those blocks are for the power sector. As far as these are concerned, they cannot be auctioned because there is a tariff through competitive bidding.
- All allocations were under the screening committee procedure. PM had nothing to do with it.
- Opposition has nothing to say. That is why they didn't debate in Parliament.
- If we had discussions in Parliament, I wouldn't have had to come here and have this press conference.
- Aspects of the allocation of coal is being reported by the media, but not thoroughly.
- We should trust people in the highest office. We should trust the PM.