HYDERABAD: Interesting exchange of words between ruling and opposition parties took place during the discussion on the resolution supporting Central Government’s measures to deal with black money stashed in Swiss banks and other tax havens, along with addressing the issues of corruption.
Moving the resolution in the House, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu described black money and corruption as twin factors that are undermining the progress of the country in every sphere. He said black money accounts for nearly 22-23 percent of the total economy, which is a worrying thing.
“There is need for all possible measures to address the menace. Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has taken a series of tough measures to deal with the issue. The recent Union Cabinet meeting had decided to seek the list of black money holders form the Swiss government,” he said.
He said those stashing black money are bringing it back into the country during elections to influence the voters, which is a major worry. He accused the previous Congress regime of getting neck deep in corruption through several scams. “Needing tough measures to deal with black money and corruption, the Central Government is taking steps in that direction. We must resolve to support the Central Government in that effort,” he said, while emphasising that TDP dreams for a corruption-free India.
Leader of Opposition YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said his party welcomes the move of the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in dealing with black money. “It had constituted a SIT to investigate black money accounts with Swiss banks,” he said.
When he said everyone knows which party had brought in black money to influence voters, Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu intervened and said Mahatma Gandhi’s photo is there in the House, but it should have “Satyameva Jayathe” slogan, so the likes of Jagan will not speak lies. Continuing his speech, Jagan said it is a must that Satyameva Jayathe should be there and everyone should follow it.
Jagan made a pointed reference to the issue of Hasan Ali and the meeting of two CMs with him before elections in March 2004. He wanted to know the details of the Big Boss mentioned in the diary of Hasan Ali. It should also be inquired into, he said.
When members in the Treasure benches started objecting to it, he shot back: “Why are you looking worried, as if I had pointed out some one among you as the Big Boss,” he said.
Interrupting him, Chief Minister Naidu said any member of the House with information pertaining to any dairy or data or anything linked to black money or corruption should inform the Government and suitable action would be taken. “For 10 years, we have been fighting against corruption and had even brought out books like “Raja of Corruption” to expose the depth of corrupt practices indulged by some,” he said and even referred to the court taking serious note of the corruption indulged in by former CM Janardhan Reddy.
Jagan said the CM should also mention the book brought out by CPM on the corruption indulged in by Chandrababu Naidu.
He said Naidu, on several occasions, saw to it that cases against him were dismissed on the grounds of technicality. Let him have an inquiry by CBI on the IMG scam, he said.
Interrupting him, Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said Jagan speaking on corruption is like devil reciting Vedas. “No one among us has spent 16 months in jail on corruption charges. No one among us is facing charges of amassing `1 lakh crore; no one got `1,100 crore assets attached by ED; and no one has been charge sheeted by CBI in cases related to `43,000 crore,” he pointed out.
The discussion ended with Jagan supporting the resolution and it being adopted unanimously.