Coalgate: PM should be accused no. 1, says former coal secy

New Delhi: Objecting to the CBI naming industrialist K M Birla and himself in its latest coalgate chargesheet, former union coal Secretary Prakash Chandra Parakh today said that if CBI thinks that there was a conspiracy then PM Manmohan Singh should be accused no. 1.Prakash Chandra Parakh was named in the latest chargesheet filed by the CBI along with industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla and his company."If there is a conspiracy, then there are different members to it. If CBI thinks there is a conspiracy, then there are three conspirators. KM Birla, me and PM, who was the final decision maker," Parakh said.Parekh further said, "The allegation is that Talibara 2 block has been allotted to a private company, Hindalco and therefore there is an undue benefit to a private company. The case was for this block there were two applicants. One was Hindalco, which was the first applicant and the second was Neyveli Lignite Corporation. Both of them were equally competent and fulfilled all criteria which are required for allocation of the coal block.""In the screening committee we took the decision that since Neyveli is a government company, is a Public Sector company, we should give preference to Neyveli Lignite Corporation. At that point of time Mr Birla made a representation to PM, saying that we made the first application for this block, we are equally eligible and competent for allocation of this block. He said that their request had been unfairly rejected and should be reconsidered. Mr Birla also met me and made a similar representation, I examined the issue and therefore made a proposal that along with Neyveli, Hindalco should also be included in this block. Both of them were advised to form a Joint Venture," added Parekh.Prakash Chandra Parakh was appointed Union coal secretary in March 2004 and continued in that position till he retired in December 2005. It is said that many UPA ministers tried to get him removed from coal ministry but could not succeed. Reacting to Parakh's statement, BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said that he was right in pointing out that Manmohan should be accused no. 1 in this case."I appeal to Parakh to not be afraid and speak without fear. Parakh is correct in saying that PM is accused No.1 in this," said Yashwant Sinha.Digvijay Singh, the Congress general secretary, while reacting to Parakh's statement said that Parekh was a free man and instead of making statements he should say what he wants in front of CBI.BJP came out all guns blazing following Parakh's remarks, saying "Accountability of the Prime Minister and the PMO is equally important. Therefore, we demand a fair investigation."Parakh's statement "merits serious consideration," BJP deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad said.BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said it was "ridiculous" that Parakh, a whistleblower and one who suggested correction in the system and introduction of competitive bidding, is being accused while the Prime Minister, who was the final authority, is not being held responsible.Congress said the matter is under investigation and is being monitored by the Supreme Court."Unnecessary speculation," should be avoided, Union Minister Manish Tewari said, adding that Government has been "fully cooperating" on the issue.CBI named 46-year-old Birla, chairman of Aditya Birla Group, along with Parekh and unknown persons and officials of Hindalco and Coal Ministry in the FIR, the 14th in the multi-crore scandal, for alleged criminal conspiracy and under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.Birla, Parekh and other accused will be called in for questioning, CBI sources told PTI.Birla has been named since the decision to accommodate Hindalco in the coal block, meant for PSUs only, was taken after he had a meeting with Parekh in the latter half of 2005.The USD 40 billion (Rs.2.45 lakh crore) conglomerate has denied receiving any FIR and said the allegations against Birla were "preposterous".(With agency inputs)