PM Narendra Modi targets UPA govt over coal scam

Paris: Targeting the previous UPA government on the coal scam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said coal blocks, whose earlier allocation had raised questions even against the then PM, had now fetched over Rs 2 lakh crore from auction of just 20 of them.

Addressing the Indian community here, Modi took potshots at the Manmohan Singh regime, saying coal blocks were distributed in an arbitrary manner due to which the Supreme Court cancelled the allotments.

"20 coal blocks out of 204 have been auctioned so far and we received more than Rs 2 lakh crore from them," Modi said.

Faced with a Supreme Court deadline of April 1, the NDA government worked at a fast pace since last September and was able to complete the first part of the auction process, he said.

Highlighting his 'Make in India' initiative, Modi said the country was aiming to reach new heights and his government was determined to ensure robust growth.

"We are telling the world -- come and invest in India and manufacture in India," the Prime Minister said while wooing investers to take advantage of the huge potential in India.