Lok Sabha Debates
Cag Report On Sale Of Two Centaur Hotels Of Mumbai And Expenditure Incurred By The ... on 10 May, 2005
Title: CAG report on sale of two Centaur Hotels of Mumbai and expenditure incurred by the previous NDA Government on India Shining compaign. SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Sir, in response to a Calling Attention Notice, the hon. Minister of Finance on 4th May… MR. SPEAKER: It was raised yesterday also. The same matter cannot be raised again. SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Sir, it is very important.
MR. SPEAKER: It may be important, but we cannot discuss the same matter everyday. Please briefly indicate your matter. SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Sir, the hon. Minister replied to the questions raised on the floor of the House that there had been irregularities in selling two hotels, particularly, the Juhu Centaur Hotel. What he said is that when CAG Report will come, he would definitely consider it. What we demanded is that this should be inquired into by CBI. CAG Report has been presented. MR. SPEAKER: You need not read it.
* Not Recorded.
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : CAG Report stated about gross irregularities in regard to the relaxation in the transaction, and repeated extensions granted to the bidder. MR. SPEAKER: What is your demand?
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : The Ministry – it is very serious intervened to facilitate the financing of the deal; the Ministry did not charge interest on delayed payment. MR. SPEAKER: I have allowed a full discussion on it here. It was raised yesterday. Again, you are reading the same thing. SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Sir, the Finance Minister has also said that the Minister of Disinvestment showed active interest in regard to selling out this particular hotel. We demanded that this should be inquired into by CBI. When this Report has been presented, and CAG has also come out, it means now it is crystal clear. When the Minister of Finance has given an assurance… (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: He said that the question of taking action will arise after the CAG report is presented. SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : We would like to know whether this should be handed over to the CBI. MR. SPEAKER: Shri Rupchand Pal to associate.
SHRI RUPCHAND PAL (HOOGHLY): But I want to say very briefly.
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA: We have also demanded that the agreement should also be cancelled, and action should be taken against the person responsible for this corruption. MR. SPEAKER: Nothing more will go on record. Shri Rupchand Pal.
(Interruptions) … * MR. SPEAKER: I appeal to you, Shri Acharia, to please take your seat.
* Not Recorded.
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : I would like to know whether the Government would hand over this to the CBI for an inquiry and would take action against those persons who are responsible for that, and the agreement would also be cancelled. MR. SPEAKER: Nothing more will go on record.
(Interruptions) … * SHRI RUPCHAND PAL : Very briefly, I am making my point. The assurance given by the hon. Finance Minister on the 4th of May was that as soon as CAG gave the final Report, he would act upon it. Our demand was that … (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: He did not say ‘as soon as’.
SHRI RUPCHAND PAL : Only three days are left. On Friday this particular Session is going to be concluded. MR. SPEAKER: Make your demand.
SHRI RUPCHAND PAL : The Government should come out with its assurance that they are going to take action on this gross irregularity … (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: Shri Ram Kripal Yadav. Nothing else will be recorded.
(Interruptions) …* MR. SPEAKER: You know it very well that I cannot compel any Minister to make a response immediately. SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : An assurance was given on the floor of the House.
MR. SPEAKER: He did not say ‘as soon as it is received’. He did not say that. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I am not holding a brief for the Government; I am only concerned with running this House. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Dr. Dome, please sit down, nothing is being recorded. Nothing else will be recorded except Shri Ram Kripal Yadav’s statement. (Interruptions) …* * Not Recorded.
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Basu, your statement is not being recorded.
SHRI ANIL BASU (ARAMBAGH): If you are kind enough… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I am not kind enough.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Any hon. Member speaking while sitting is gross impropriety. Nobody should speak unless recognised by me. It should better be understood. Shri Ram Kripal Yadav.