Coal scam: BJP fumes, PM says don't draw hasty conclusions

After facing the opposition heat over missing coal scam files, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday finally spoke in Parliament, saying the government has nothing to hide. Promising an investigation to locate the missing coalgate files, he said that anyone found guilty would be punished.

Pointing out that over 1 lakh files had already been handed over, he said the government was willing to co-operate. He said the Opposition should not draw hasty conclusions and should allow Parliament to function.

"The government will follow the SC order in action. Government will hand over the files in the stipulated time. Incase the government is unable to provide some documents, we will act according to the instructions," the Prime Minister said.

The Opposition, however, remained dissatisfied saying the Prime Minister has not answered the questions. There was uproar in both Houses after the Prime Minister's statement.

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BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad in the Rajya Sabha said the party wanted accountability from the Prime Minister. In the Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj also raised questions over the Prime Minister's statement.

Sushma Swaraj had earlier in the day demanded that the Prime Minister made a statement in the House over the missing files on Tuesday itself as he will leave on Wednesday for St Petersburg for the G-20 Summit.

"Today is the only day left for the Prime Minister to speak. The Parliamentary Affairs had assured us that the Coal Minister will reply and PM will intervene. The promise should be fulfilled today," she said. BJP members were on their feet shouting "PM jawab do" (PM reply) on the missing coal files issue, as members of the Left parties and the Trinamool Congress were in the Well raising slogans against fuel and onion price hike.