Delhi: The Congress on Thursday slammed the BJP government for insinuating that 'leakage' of confidential documents used to take place during the UPA regime but the NDA government was taking precautions to stop it.
Reacting to the arrest of two Petroleum Ministry employees and three others for allegedly leaking confidential government documents to private companies, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told ANI, “Under the previous government such things happened openly. New government is taking precautions.”
Hitting out at Pradhan's comment, Congress leader and former union minister Manish Tewari said that either the Oil Minister should give evidence or apologise.
Tiwari posted on the micro-blogging site Twitter: “If the Oil Minister has evidence that leakage was taking place during UPA tenure he should put it in public domain or apologize forthwith.”
In another post he wrote: “It is regrettable that the BJP government tries to cover it's inadequacies by blaming the UPA. Leakgate has happened on the BJP's watch and not UPA.”
If the Oil Minister has evidence that" leakage" was taking place during UPA tenure he should put it in public domain or apologize forthwith
— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) February 19, 2015
It is regrettable that the BJP govt tries to cover it's inadequacies by blaming the UPA." Leakgate has happened on the BJP's watch& not UPA!
— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) February 19, 2015
Meanwhile, Pradhan also said that strong action would be taken against the two employees of his ministry who were arrested by police.
"They will be severely dealt with. Police is probing the case. We will take strong action against the guilty. Government will come down hard on them," he said, as per PTI.
Sources said a clerical staff and a peon of the Petroleum Ministry were apprehended by police. They said provisions of Official Secrets Act may be slapped on them.
They said the two Petroleum Ministry employees used to provide confidential information to private companies in return for money.
Asked whether any corporate lobbyist could be involved, the Petroleum Minister said it was up to the police to investigate.
"The government was conscious. Agencies are investigating. They will come out with full facts," he said.
Terming leaking of information as a serious issue, the Minister said CCTV cameras were installed inside the Ministry as part of security measures.
"Government will come down hard on those involved," he said.
On the other hand Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi said, “Documents photocopied, leaked in return for money. Will catch all those involved,” adding, “These documents were obtained by certain independent energy consultants, companies operating in this field.”
With Agency inputs
