PC used position to benefit son, alleges Swamy

April 27, 2012

Subramanian_SwamyNew Delhi, April 27: Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy on Thursday made fresh allegations against Home Minister P Chidambaram, accusing him of delaying permission for the sale of Aircel to Malaysia-based firm Maxis in 2006 when he was the Finance Minister so that his son Karti financially benefited.

In his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Swamy demanded Chidambaram's resignation and wanted a direction to the CBI to include the names of the Minister and his son in the FIR on Aircel-Maxis deal along with former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran.

Swamy alleged that Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited, a company controlled by Karti Chidambaram, entered into a financial transaction with Malaysian businessman Sivasankaran’s Aircel Televenture in March 2006.

In May 2006, FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board) approved the Malaysia’s firm Maxis investment of around Rs 4,000 crore in Aircel (where Maxis purchased 74 per cent share in Aircel).

Soon after the deal between Aircel and Maxis was completed, Rs.1,300 crore went out of Aircel in the form of loan without mentioning mandatory specification, he charged.

Swamy alleged that the reason Advantage Strategic Consulting partnered Aircel was to share Rs 4,000 crore invested by Maxis in Aircel.

Sources close to Karti Chidambaram dismissed the allegations as “baseless”.

Suspecting that entire transactions were dubious, he charged Chidambaram with using his position as finance minister and ensuring that FIPB would clear the Aircel-Maxis deal only if his son Karti controlled company got share in Sivasankaran’s Aircel Televenture Limited to get the booty from Maxis.

Swamy further alleged that the monthly report of RBI’s Overseas Investment Division on outward FDI from India showed that Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited has a wholly owned subsidiary (WSO) with a similar name in Singapore - Advantage Strategic Consulting Singapore PTE Limited.

The monthly reports from 2006-2012, show that several millions of US dollars were transferred each month from India to the company’s Singapore subsidiary.

According to RBI report, the Singapore subsidiary’s major activities are in Financial, Insurance, Real Estate and Business Services.

“Till 2008 December, Chidambaram was Finance Minister and here question arises how his son indulged in financial and insurance business in India and Singapore,” Swamy said. None of the transactions by Karti’s companies with entities abroad were shown in the financial statements filed with Registrar of Company in Chennai, Swamy said.

He said he had already written to the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and the Registrar of Companies regarding "dubious financial transactions" during the period of the deal.

Swamy alleged that CBI and ED were limiting their probe to the role of Marans, Dayanidhi and Kalanidhi, in the matter. The Congress party refused to react to the allegation against one its most important ministers.

"How am I am responsible for answering to allegations about Karti Chidambaram's business deals? He can himself reply to Swamy's allegations," party spokesperson Renuka Choudhary told reporters.

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News Network
June 26,2020

New Delhi, Jun 26: Petrol prices in the national capital have reached Rs 80.13 per litre on June 26, up by 21 paise from yesterday’s Rs 79.92 per litre; while diesel prices in Delhi also rose to Rs 80.19 per litre – up by 17 paise compared to yesterday’s Rs 80.02 per litre.

This is the 20th consecutive day that fuel prices have been hiked by oil marketing companies (OMCs). The hikes began from June 8 after a 83-day halt on revised pricing during the lockdown period.

The state government’s increased value-added tax (VAT) on diesel since May is causing the fuel’s prices to soar in Delhi. VAT was increased to 30 percent for both petrol and diesel from 27 percent and 16.75 percent, respectively.

Coupled with the Centre’s hiked excise duty of Rs 3 per litre since March 14 and then Rs 10 per litre on petrol and Rs 13 per litre on diesel since May 5 has affected prices.

The hike on diesel prices is unusual, as the government traditionally keeps the price for the fuel low due to its impact on agriculture and other high consumption economic activities.

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News Network
January 29,2020

Aurangabad, Jan 29: Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of creating a conflict between Hindu and Muslim communities in the country, former JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar has said the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) was adding fuel to the fire.

He was speaking at a rally held on Tuesday at Pathri in Parbhani district of Maharashtra against the CAA and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). It was organised by NCP MLC Abdullah Durrani.

"Modi and Shah used to create conflicts between Hindus and Muslims during the Gujarat elections. Now they are adopting the same strategy in the country," Kumar alleged.

Citizens should keep the religious conflicts aside and question the present government about unemployment and the poor state of the economy, he said.

"Through the CAA, the government is adding fuel to the fire, which is already raging in the country," he alleged.

When anyone questions the government about the problems existing in the country, it in turn asks him about his citizenship, the former JNUSU leader alleged.

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News Network
July 21,2020

New Delhi, Jul 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday condoled the demise of Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon.

Tandon, 85, passed away at 5:35 am on Tuesday after a prolonged illness.

Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Modi posted a picture with Madhya Pradesh Governor and wrote, "Shri Lalji Tandon will be remembered for his untiring efforts to serve society. He played a key role in strengthening the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. He made a mark as an effective administrator, always giving importance of public welfare. Anguished by his passing away."
"Shri Lalji Tandon was well-versed with constitutional matters. He enjoyed a long and close association with beloved Atal Ji. In this hour of grief, my condolences to the family and well-wishers of Shri Tandon. Om Shanti," he added.

President Kovind expressed condolences saying that we have lost a legendary leader today.

"In the passing away of Madhya Pradesh Governor Shri Lal Ji Tandon, we have lost a legendary leader who combined cultural sophistication of Lucknow and acumen of a national stalwart. I deeply mourn his death. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends," he tweeted.

His last rites will be performed at Gulala Ghat in Lucknow at 4:30 pm today.

Tandon was admitted to a hospital after complaining of breathing problems, difficulty in urination and fever. He has been undergoing treatment since June 11. 

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