'BJP govt should come clean on Pushp Steel controversy'
RAIPUR: Mounting an attack, opposition Congress on Thursday urged Raman Singh government to come clean on Pushp Steel controversy, saying that the matter was not sub judice, as was being propagated by the BJP government.
Former minister Bhupesh Baghel said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided the offices and other premises of Pushp Steel earlier late last month. However, the state government preferred to remain silent, claiming that the matter was sub judice.
He said that the Delhi high court had already given its verdict on April 5 on a petition related to Pushp Steel. Baghel quoted from the high court order to point out the court had rejected the contention of Pushp Steel and the state government. During the hearing, the state government supported Pushp Steel on almost every point in the case, he added.
Pushp Steel and Mines Ltd, which was allocated mining contract in 2004 on the state government's recommendation, despite not having any previous background of mining and weak financial standing.
Baghel said the state government has been trying to wriggle out of the Pushp Steel controversy for long but its stand in the Delhi high court during the hearing of the case has exposed its real intentions.
Meanwhile, the state government denied having granted license or leaseof iron ore in favour of Pushp Steel. Pushp Steel had entered into an MoU with the state government for setting up a sponge iron plant . "Pushp Steel had approached the centre for iron ore prospecting and mining lease for its captive use and the ministry of mines approved grant of license in October 2005 and mining lease in May 2006", a government release said.
In view of the inordinate delay in setting up the plant, the state government issued notices for cancellation of MoU with 12 companies including Pushp Steel in September 2007. Subsequently, these firms moved the court challenging the notice.
"As of now, the application of Pushp Steel for prospecting license and mining lease is pending for consideration with the state government. A lawful decision on it will be taken after studying the high court orders in connection with the case", the release said.
Former minister Bhupesh Baghel said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided the offices and other premises of Pushp Steel earlier late last month. However, the state government preferred to remain silent, claiming that the matter was sub judice.
He said that the Delhi high court had already given its verdict on April 5 on a petition related to Pushp Steel. Baghel quoted from the high court order to point out the court had rejected the contention of Pushp Steel and the state government. During the hearing, the state government supported Pushp Steel on almost every point in the case, he added.
Pushp Steel and Mines Ltd, which was allocated mining contract in 2004 on the state government's recommendation, despite not having any previous background of mining and weak financial standing.
Baghel said the state government has been trying to wriggle out of the Pushp Steel controversy for long but its stand in the Delhi high court during the hearing of the case has exposed its real intentions.
Meanwhile, the state government denied having granted license or leaseof iron ore in favour of Pushp Steel. Pushp Steel had entered into an MoU with the state government for setting up a sponge iron plant . "Pushp Steel had approached the centre for iron ore prospecting and mining lease for its captive use and the ministry of mines approved grant of license in October 2005 and mining lease in May 2006", a government release said.
In view of the inordinate delay in setting up the plant, the state government issued notices for cancellation of MoU with 12 companies including Pushp Steel in September 2007. Subsequently, these firms moved the court challenging the notice.
"As of now, the application of Pushp Steel for prospecting license and mining lease is pending for consideration with the state government. A lawful decision on it will be taken after studying the high court orders in connection with the case", the release said.
Courtesy: The Times of India
