Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: Senior BJP leader LK Advani, who moved an adjournment motion on black money issue in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, said that the government should elucidate the steps being taken to bring back money stashed illegally in foreign accounts.
Starting the debate, Advani demanded the government should ensure that black money stashed abroad should be brought back and also explain what action is being taken against those who have opened such accounts.
“Why is the government not proactive on black money? Why has the government delayed action on black money? We demand that the government present a white paper on the issue,” he said.
The former deputy prime minister cornered the government over reports about France having given names of around 782 Indian nationals who have illegal accounts and demanded that the government reveal the names and act upon the guilty.
"The names of 782 tax evaders are being kept a secret by the UPA government," Advani said. "I want your assurance and an oath after the debate that you will come out with the names of tax evaders. Convince the House, convince the nation that you will play all your cards to bring back the black money in foreign banks," Advani said, addressing Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
“If the government doesn’t tell us the names, then it may so happen that Julian Assange may reveal it through WikiLeaks. It is humiliating if we were to know the details from WikiLeaks,” he added.
Referring to certain estimates, Advani said that Rs 25 lakh crore of Indian black money is stashed in Swiss banks while pointing out that high tax is leading to generation of black money.
He also sought to draw the House’s attention towards various stringent observations made by the Supreme Court including the one in which it termed India as a ‘soft state’ for its inability to act against black money hoarders.
The BJP has been pressing for the motion since the Winter Session of Parliament began over two weeks ago in the backdrop of LK Advani's yatra against black money and corruption.
BJP MPs have also given declarations to the presiding officers of two Houses saying they do not have any illegal money stashed abroad.
Importantly, the motion will be without the sense of government censure and that voting is likely on a neutral motion.
First Published: Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 12:29