Government will act against Mallya: Arun Jaitley

Jaitley said the sanction of money made to Mallya was during the UPA regime

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Thursday in Parliament that "every possible action will be taken" against beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya who owes Rs 90 billion to the banks as of November 2015. 

He was responding to the issue raised by Congress floor leader Mallikarjun Kharge during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, who wanted to know why the government did not "confiscate" the passport of the defunct Kingfisher Airlines chief.

The Congress leader wanted to know why the government and State Bank of India did not act against Mallya on time, which helped the business tycoon to flee.

Jaitley said every member of the house shares the concern raised by Kharge, but said the sanction of money made to Mallya was during the UPA regime.

"As far as accounts are concerned, first sanction was made by the consortium of banks in September 2004," he said, adding then again in 2008. "These dates speak for themselves," he said.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy said Mallya is "no saint" for the NDA regime.