NEW DELHI, Aug 5: Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Monday ordered the cancellation of all allotments of petrol pumps and cooking gas agencies made over the past two years as parliament remained paralysed for the second day over the issue.
“Since a controversy has arisen with regard to these allotments, the prime minister has directed the ministry (of petroleum) to initiate steps to cancel all allotments made with effect from January 2000 till date,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
The move came after intense pressure from a united opposition in both houses of parliament since Friday when the Indian Express newspaper reported that a large number of petrol pumps and gas agencies had been alloted to friends and relatives of members of the ruling BJP party.
Both houses of parliament adjourned Monday amid an angry uproar by the opposition over the alleged scam, demanding the resignation of Petroleum Minister Ram Naik.
In the lower house, the Congress party led the attack as most members of opposition parties trooped into the well of the house and shouted slogans such as: “We want (Naik’s) resignation... The BJP has robbed the nation...”
Naik, who was in the house, was unable to make a statement due to the noisy scenes.
But he ruled out his resignation later at a news conference.
“I do not feel the need to resign because I have not done anything wrong. Not a single petrol pump or gas agency was given in the last two-and-half years at my behest or (at that of the) petroleum ministry,” Naik said.
“People will see we haven’t indulged in corruption. I hope that people will appreciate the decision taken by the prime minister,” he added.
He said the issue would not damage the ruling party’s image and added that he wanted to make a statement in parliament on Tuesday.
“I have given notice in both the houses to make a statement,” Naik earlier told reporters. “As you are aware, I was unable to make the statement. I want to make a clarification. I want to be given a chance to reply.”
“We don’t want any clarifications,” said Congress leader Priyaranjan Dasmunshi before the statement from the PMO. “We want the minister to resign first. All the allotments should be cancelled and an inquiry ordered.”
Environmental activists: Residents and activists in the southern Kerala state vowed on Monday to step up protests against a Coca-Cola plant, guarded by police, for allegedly depleting ground water and contaminating the environment.
More than 700 environmental activists and residents of the northern Kerala border town of Plachimada staged protest rallies late Sunday demanding the closure of the US beverage giant’s factory.—AFP