Coalgate: If coal is not mined, where is the loss? asks Chidambaram

August 24, 2012

not_minedNew Delhi, August 24: The government on Friday rejected the CAG report on allocation of coal blocks in which it has indicated a Rs 1.85 lakh crore ($37 billion) loss to the exchequer, saying the notion of presumptive loss is flawed.

"If the coal is not being mined, there is no question of gain or loss... the notion of this presumptive loss is flawed," finance minister PChidambaram said at a joint press conference here with coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal.

Chidambaram said there has been hardly any mining of coal from the allocated blocks which are taken into consideration by the auditor. "As long as coal remain in mother earth there is no loss," he said.

Out of the 57 blocks considered by the CAG, mining was carried out in only one block.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) last week revealed that lack of transparency in the allocation of coal blocks to private players resulted in the loss of a whopping Rs 1.85 lakh crore ($37 billion) to the exchequer.

Jaiswal said the government didn't agree with the CAG assessment. "We don't agree with the CAG report," he said.

Jaiswal said that he had asked the CAG to consult coal ministry official before preparing the final report. "But the CAG did not consult our officials," he said.

He said the CAG also did not take into consideration the views of attorney general and the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on coal mining.

Chidambaram said it was the UPA government which brought about a change in policy for transparency and for that it was now being blamed.

"If you did nothing you will not be blamed; if you tried to change you will be blamed - is that the standard by which we will conduct our public affairs," he asked.

Asked about the future coarse of action on coal block allocations, Chidambaram said the government will take the decision taking into consideration the reports and views of the CAG, the attorney general and the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM).

The finance minister made a fervent appeal to the opposition, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to allow Parliament to function from Monday.

Chidambaram said the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was ready to make a statement and debate the issue in Parliament in whatever manner the opposition wanted.

"The Prime Minister is willing to make a statement in the Parliament. He is fully prepared to answer all the questions that may arise," Chidambaram said.

Both Houses of Parliament were repeatedly adjourned for the fourth consecutive day on Friday as BJP kept up its demand for the Prime Minister's resignation over irregularities in allocation of coal blocks.

"We are disappointed that BJP is unwilling to allow Parliament to function and unwilling to discuss the matter on the floor of the House," the finance minister said.


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Agencies
February 25,2020

New Delhi, Feb 25: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday called a meeting to discuss the prevailing situation in the national capital after violence in Northeast Delhi over the amended citizenship law left four people dead.

Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and representatives of different political parties were invited for the meeting.

Follow live updates of clashes among CAA protesters in Delhi here

The home minister has convened a meeting to discuss the current situation in Delhi, a Home Ministry official said.

The move came after the home minister reviewed the law and order situation in the national capital on Monday night as violence rocked Northeast Delhi.

Frenzied protesters torched houses, shops, vehicles and a petrol pump, besides hurling stones.

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News Network
May 21,2020

United Nations, May 21: At least 19 million children in parts of Bangladesh and India are at "imminent risk" from flash flooding and heavy rain as Cyclone Amphan makes landfall and the state of West Bengal is expected to take a direct hit from the powerful storm, the UN's children agency has warned.

The extremely severe cyclonic storm Amphan made a landfall at Digha in West Bengal and Bangladesh on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction. At least three persons were killed in India and seven in Bangladesh.

The UNICEF said that at least 19 million children in parts of Bangladesh and India are at “imminent risk from flash flooding, storm surges and heavy rain as Cyclone Amphan makes landfall.”

West Bengal, “home to more than 50 million people, including over 16 million children, is expected to take a direct hit from the powerful storm,” the UN agency said in a statement on Wednesday.

The UNICEF said it is also very concerned that the COVID-19 could deepen the humanitarian consequences of Cyclone Amphan in both the countries. Evacuees who have moved to crowded temporary shelters would be especially vulnerable to the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19, as well as other infections.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely,” said UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia Jean Gough.

“The safety of children and their families in the areas that will be impacted is a priority and it is good to see that the authorities have planned their urgent response factoring in the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.”

Across the region, the UNICEF is “working closely with the governments of Bangladesh and India and stands ready to support humanitarian operations to reach children and families affected by Cyclone Amphan.”

Based on the storm’s current trajectory, Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh – now sheltering over 850,000 Rohingya refugees – is likely to experience high winds and heavy rains which may cause damage to homes and shelters in the refugee camps and Bangladeshi communities. This population is already highly vulnerable and cases of COVID-19 have recently been confirmed in the camps and host communities.

The UNICEF said it is working with the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Cox’s Bazar, the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, and humanitarian partners to help ensure Bangladeshi and Rohingya children and families remain protected.

These efforts include raising awareness among Rohingya and Bangladeshi communities on cyclone preparedness and prepositioning emergency life-saving water, sanitation, hygiene and medical supplies to meet immediate humanitarian needs.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at the daily press briefing that UN teams on the ground continue to work with the Government of Bangladesh to prepare and support those in need in the wake of the cyclone.

“Given the current pandemic, this support includes distributing personal protective equipment, disinfectants and other materials to evacuation shelters. To reduce the person-to-person contact during the delivery of aid, e-cash distributions will be used,” he said adding that the UN along with its partners is mobilising more than 1,700 mobile health teams and preparing for emergency food deliveries.

“The Super Cyclone is taking a westerly trajectory towards India, but nearly 8 million people in Bangladesh remain at risk,” he said adding that the Bangladesh government has evacuated more than 2 million people in high-risk areas. 

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News Network
January 27,2020

Kolkata, Jan 27: The West Bengal government on Monday tabled a resolution against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in the Assembly.

The resolution appeals to the Union government to repeal the amended citizenship law and revoke plans to implement NRC and update NPR.

As per reports, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee introduced the resolution in the House around 2 pm.

Three states - Kerala, Rajasthan and Punjab - have already passed resolutions against the new citizenship law.

The law has emerged as the latest flashpoint in the state, with the TMC opposing the contentious legislation tooth and nail, and the BJP pressing for its implementation.

The new citizenship law has emerged as the latest flashpoint in the state, with the TMC opposing the contentious legislation tooth and nail, and the BJP pressing for its implementation.

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