“69 suggestions of Ashok Chawla panel not accepted”
In a reply which is likely to cause a major embarrassment to it in Parliament, the Centre on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that it had not accepted 69 of the 81 recommendations of the Ashok Chawla Committee that natural resources be auctioned.
On August 9, three questions were raised in the Rajya Sabha — “whether it is a fact that the Ashok Chawla Committee has submitted its report in the wake of the 2G spectrum scam to the government; if so, the details of the recommendations and the number of recommendations that have been accepted; and how many are yet to be accepted and what is the time frame.”
Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena, in a written reply, said the committee gave 81 recommendations covering eight natural resources — coal, minerals, petroleum, natural gas, spectrum, forests, land and water. He said: “The government has accepted 69 recommendations, one has not been accepted and 11 are under consideration.”
Answer to be corrected
Completely disowning this reply, the Telecom Secretary, in a note approved by the Cabinet Secretariat and filed in the court on Thursday, said “the statement and the answer that the government has accepted 69 recommendations are not accurate and the correct position is that it was decided that the 69 recommendations would be pursued by the individual Ministries in a timely manner. The Department of Economic Affairs [Ministry of Finance] is taking steps to correct the answer in the Rajya Sabha.”
Swamy’s argument
Last week, during arguments on the ‘2G Presidential Reference’, Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy produced documents in the court to show that the government had accepted the Chawla Committee’s recommendations.
He said “the government has adopted auction as a policy for certain natural resources. They have asked the Ministries to implement it. A Reference is not necessary and any opinion by the court may create a piquant situation.”
Opinion reserved
Chief Justice of India S.H. Kapadia then asked Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati to respond to Dr. Swamy’s submissions.
The court, thereafter, reserved its opinion on the issue.
Keywords: Ashok Chawla Committee recommendations, UPA-II, natural resources, auction route, 2G spectrum scam, Coalgate, Supreme Court hearing
More lies, now they do not even think before lying. At this pace there is bound to be a time when they would be confused that whether the earlier reply was lie or the latest. But for the people it is becoming clear that the expertise of this govt. is in ... inaction, lying and stealing.
Nice one!! This is one of the first few U-turns by this Government and is a part of big series to come up in future. I guess Judiciary should be allowed to look into these petitions freely and more frequently. Mr Swamy is one of the very rare people in present times who know the system and have the zeal to make things right. This is the right way to fight against anything wrong in this country. Follow the right path, read and learn about the system, find and trace any irregularities and file petitions in court. The future of Congress and like-minded people is only a number of days till people from everyday streams start questioning the decisions made by these so called representatives of people. Rise above your personal issues my friends if you wish to make any changes in our and our Children's lives. Jai Hind!!
UPA-2 is making every effort possible to keep the empire of corruption intact. It is making legislations giving protection to corrupt govt officials & politicians. It is making legislations to punish those who complain against corrupt govt official or politician as elaborated by Prime Minister in his independence day speech. Now only an armed total revolution can bring an end to the empire of corrupt govt officials & politicians. Second option could be imposing financial squeeze of this corrupt govt by refusing to pay any taxes & asking world bank, IMF to impose economic sanctions on this corrupt govt.
This case of falsehoods and misinformation being tabled before the House and placed on record, is a very serious matter.
Without transparency, how can the Houses function ? Democracy has been hijacked. In the light of all the other happenings, it doesn't look to me like a typo or an honest mistake. Punish the guilty!
No previous central government in our country had disgraced itself so much as the present one is doing. Our country deserves better. The thought that this government may survive till 2014 gives one the shiver.
The contradictory statements of the ministry shows the incapable and
instability of the UPA Government and irresponsible ministers under the
leadership of the Hon.Prime minister.
"SPEED OF THE BOSS IS THE SPEED OF THE TEAM"
and who will bell the cat?
The DEA may formally revise the most misleading reply that the Minister of State for
Finance Namo Narain Meena gave. does he not owe an explanation to the Rajya
Sabha and to the Nation? Mr. Subramanian Swamy's assertion should be either
accepted or denied.
Truly got you...Very nice...answer awaited...
It is fortunate for the country that a person like Subramaniam swami is relentlessly fighting against all odds to expose all the misdeeds of the Government.
What the country needs now is this type of leaders knowledgeble and tactful to lead the country.
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