Missing coal block files: BJP to raise issue of missing files

The party wants to demand an explanation from the PM before he leaves for the G-2o summit

BJP today said it will raise the issue of missing files pertaining to the controversial coal block allocations in both Houses of Parliament and demand an explanation from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before he leaves for the G-20 summit.

"The government is trying to cover-up the issue of missing files relating to coal block allocations. This is a very serious issue. Parliament session is on and the government has failed to take the House into confidence. Before leaving for G-20 summit, Prime Minister must explain where 'I-120' went missing," BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters after a meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Party.

I-120, he said, stands for India's Rs 120 crore that was allegedly siphoned off in the scam.

Singh is leaving for the G-20 summit tomorrow morning.

BJP will raise the issue in both Houses of Parliament and is likely to force adjournments.

"The Prime Minister must explain who all are involved, what action has been taken, who all have been held accountable, why no FIR has been lodged in the case despite the Supreme Court telling the CBI to do so," Naidu said.

He pointed out that Law Minister Ashwani Kumar had to resign for making changes in the status report of the CBI on the coal block allocations. Senior officials were also involved in the process, he alleged.

"This government cannot go scot free in the coal scam. It should explain what action has been taken till now on the missing files," he said.

While Coal Minister Sri Prakash Jaiswal has now claimed that only seven files are missing, CBI has said 157 files related to the allocations are untraceable.