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Sonia for probe into allegations against ministers
New Delhi, Nov 11: Expressing shock over media reports about alleged interference in the affairs of the public sector undertakings by Union ministers, Congress president Sonia Gandhi has demanded an independent parliamentary probe into the allegations.
New Delhi, Nov 11: Expressing shock over media reports about alleged interference in the affairs of the public sector undertakings by Union ministers, Congress president Sonia Gandhi has demanded an independent parliamentary probe into the allegations.
"In the interest of probity and accountability, I urge you to agree to immediately institute an independent parliamentary inquiry into the allegations made against the
ministers and reveal their identities," Sonia, in a letter to
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, said.
The November 10 letter, copies of which were released to the press here today, said serious thought also needs to be given to the framing rules and regulations to protect the PSUs from ministerial interference that amounts to misuse and make such interference punishable with severe penalties. "The reported misuse of the PSUs for personal or political benefits has apparently been played out to such a degree that it has forced the Chief Vigilance Commissioner to personally bring the matter to Prime Minister`s notice.
"Of equal concern is the fact that, even after the issue has been highlighted by the media for several days, no action seems to have been taken at your level," she said.
"It is ironical that a government, that has been so keen to dispose off and privatise PSUs without a clear declared policy or parliamentary scrutiny without any thought to strategic industries or workers` interests, is at the same time allowing the exploitation of those very PSUs by its ministers," she said.
Instead of strengthening the PSUs though professionalisation and greater autonomy, the members of the Cabinet have apparently attempted to run them as "their fiefdoms," she said. "I hope look forward to a quick and positive response from you in this matter," she added.
Bureau Report
The November 10 letter, copies of which were released to the press here today, said serious thought also needs to be given to the framing rules and regulations to protect the PSUs from ministerial interference that amounts to misuse and make such interference punishable with severe penalties. "The reported misuse of the PSUs for personal or political benefits has apparently been played out to such a degree that it has forced the Chief Vigilance Commissioner to personally bring the matter to Prime Minister`s notice.
"Of equal concern is the fact that, even after the issue has been highlighted by the media for several days, no action seems to have been taken at your level," she said.
"It is ironical that a government, that has been so keen to dispose off and privatise PSUs without a clear declared policy or parliamentary scrutiny without any thought to strategic industries or workers` interests, is at the same time allowing the exploitation of those very PSUs by its ministers," she said.
Instead of strengthening the PSUs though professionalisation and greater autonomy, the members of the Cabinet have apparently attempted to run them as "their fiefdoms," she said. "I hope look forward to a quick and positive response from you in this matter," she added.
Bureau Report