BJP-ruled states had opposed coal block auction

New Delhi: Even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is demanding Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's resignation over the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on coal blocks allocation, CNN-IBN has accessed copies of letters written by BJP governments of several states opposing auction of coal blocks. The BJP has accused Manmohan Singh of being responsible for doling out coal blocks and not auctioning them but the news could provide the much-needed respite to the UPA Government.

According to letters, the BJP governments of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh had opposed auction of coal blocks. The CAG report on coal has calculated losses on the basis of coal blocks not being auctioned.

Sources say that apart from Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, even West Bengal government opposed auction of coal blocks. In 2003, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government had reportedly made 24 allocations following the same policy.

CNN-IBN has accessed copies of letters written by BJP governments of several states opposing auction of coal blocks.

Replying on the CAG findings, the government has said that coal report is misleading and inaccurate. "There was no undue delay in auction bidding law. Even normal legislative enactments take time Our amendment to coal mine act pending since 2001. It was necessary to frame guidelines."

Meanwhile, MoS PMO V Narayanasamy has said that the CAG cannot question the policy of the government. "They can only do accounting. It's a provisional report, not an indictment of the government. Several CAG reports were filed during the NDA regime. Did they resign?'

Earlier, the Opposition on Tuesday targeted the UPA and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the CAG report on coal block allocation, even as the government ruled out the PM's resignation. Both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha had to be adjourned for the day following slogan shouting by the Opposition as well as the treasury benches.

The Prime Minister said that he was ready to discuss the issue on the floor of the House but did not get a chance as the Opposition MPs demanded that he should quit. Amidst the slogan shouting, both the Houses, meeting for the first time since the CAG report was tabled, were first adjourned till 12 noon and then the Lok Sabha was adjourned till Wednesday as the MPs refused to let the House function.

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