New Delhi: While the Modi government is celebrating successful 100 days of its second tenure as the ruling party, the Congress party has accused the government of not adopting auction route in renewing leases of 358 mines and failing to give an answer to the Supreme Court over allegations that it was done in exchange for 'large donations'.
Addressing a press conference here, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera sought a probe into the issue and alleged that the move had caused a revenue loss of about Rs 4 lakh crore to the nation's exchequer.
Khera alleged the law was changed with a retrospective effect and leases were extended for 50 years.
"Five months have passed, and the government has failed to give an answer to the Supreme Court on the allegations raised in the petition," Khera said.
He said the Modi government introduced in January 2015 a new amendment - by way of the ordinance - to the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948.
"The amendment allowed the government to extend the leases of existing mines without going through the auction route," he said, adding that the party leaders had protested the manner in which select committee, which went into the bill to replace the ordinance, was 'deliberately' given small window and could not consult states.
"The government must disclose the political donations received from the companies whose licenses have been renewed. The period in question is not covered by the secrecy of the electoral bonds," he added.
"Even the law-making agencies have lost their credibility in the present government's rule," the Khera said.
He also referred late BJP leader Arun Jaitley's strong pitch in favour of an auction for the allocation of resources.
Referring to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, he said it should probe renewal of lease 'with the same enthusiasm' as displayed in the UPA years.
"During our days there was a CAG who spoke of notional losses. During their days we see that there is a notional CAG. There is no CAG it appears. The institutions have become notional under their rule," he said.
Khera asked the BJP to state what it has done during its first tenure and during the first 3 months of its second tenure, instead of playing games with the citizens.
"The opposition and other parties are aware of their work and their tactics. The Congress party will raise questions upon it both in and out of the parliament until it does not get answers," he added.
Read:| Slowdown plunges August auto sales to lowest since 1998
