PM should have ensured safe custody of files: BJP

BJP today expressed its ire against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's remarks that he is not responsible for the missing files in the coal ministry and insisted that he should have personally ensured that the sensitive documents were kept in safe custody.

'The Prime Minister is missing on the basics of his constitutional responsibility. He is the first among equals in his ministry and in this case he also held the coal ministry portfolio. He should have personally seen to it that the files are kept in safe custody,' Deputy Leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters.

BJP has been attacking the Prime Minister on the issue of missing files and alleged that since he held the coal portfolio between 2006-09, he should be held responsible. The party has alleged that coal mines were allocated in this period without following proper procedure and there was favouritism while giving contracts.

The coal block allocation scam is estimated to be worth Rs 1.86 lakh crore. CBI investigation into the case is being monitored by the Supreme Court.

The Prime Minister has denied that he is in any way responsible for the scam or the missing files.

'I am not the custodian of the files in the coal ministry,' Singh said in the Rajya Sabha during a discussion on his statement on the state of the economy.