New Delhi, Dec 7 (PTI) The Congress party today accusedthe previous BJP government in Gujarat, led by Narendra Modi,of benefiting crony capitalists while causing losses to publicsector entities and dubbed it the "Gujarat model ofdevelopment".
Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar raked up the issue ofGujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) on KG Basin Gasexploration and alleged that a loss to the tune of Rs 19,576crore was caused to the state government and Prime MinisterModi should come clean on it.
"The country is seeking an answer and accountability ofthe prime minister. Should there not be an independent probeinto the entire GSPC scam? Will the prime minister answer thepeople of Gujarat and the entire country on the losses causedto the state," he asked.
Kumar said investigative journalists were raisingquestions on the role, responsibility and accountability ofPrime Minister Modi through a big revelation about Rs 20,000crore GSPC scam.
He alleged that it was clear that crony capitalists werebenefited while the government coffers suffered losses in thepurchase of domestic and international gas reserves.
"Is 'na khaunga na khane dunga' (won't allow corruption)mere a catch-phrase or the prime minister is ready for anindependent (probe) into the scam including himself," heasked.
The Congress leader alleged that huge cost overruns,mismanagement of funds and instances of undue benefitsallegedly being passed on by GSPC to various private companiesled to losses to the tune of Rs 19,576 crore to the stategovernment.
He also alleged that the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation(ONGC) bought 80 per cent shares of GSPL for Rs 7,738 crore inGSPC, when no gas was explored in the KG Basin.
"The question is as to why the ONGC bought these sharesalthough no gas has been found in GSPC's KG Basin block since2005? Is a company that has suffered huge losses is beinghitched onto a PSU," he asked.
Kumar also alleged that almost all officers who weredirectors in GSPL in the past are now working at top positionsin the central government.
That includes Urjit Patel, who was an independentdirector during the period when losses were caused to GSPC andhas been appointed the RBI Governor. PTI SKCABH.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.