Cong seeks discussion in House on 'irregularities' in KG-basin project

New Delhi: Congress on Wednesday again raised in Rajya Sabha the issue of alleged irregularities by Gujarat government firm Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) in its Krishna-Godavari basin gas project and sought a discussion and reply by the government.

When the House met for the day, Madhusudan Mistry (Cong) said he had 10 days back given a notice seeking a short duration discussion on the issue. "Why this has not yet been listed," he asked Deputy Chairman P J Kurien. "I have a right to know what has been decided on it."

Gujarat State Petroleum Corp (GPSC) operated the KG basin block on a contract given by the Central government and loans were extended to the company for the project by public sector banks, he said justifying a discussion on the issue. Kurien said the Chairman decides on notices given for short duration discussion after seeing pros and cons, availability of time, merit of subject and availability of minister concerned to reply.

"All such notices are under consideration of the Chairman," he said, adding all aspects will be examined in deciding on them.

But Mistry along with other Congress members persisted with their demand to know when a short duration discussion will take place. "You can ask. You are within your rights to enquire what happened to your notice. I told you, Chairman is examining it. You cannot question the Chairman," Kurien said.

Mistry asked why was the minister concerned not available to reply to the discussion. "It is his first responsibility to answer to Parliament."

Kurien, however, did not allow him to raise the issue any further and moved on to zero hour submissions. Sanjay Sinh (Cong) raised the issue of allowing water-guzzling eucalyptus plantation in western Uttar Pradesh where ground water table was already depleting.

Bhupinder Singh (BJD) also raised the issue of ground water depletion and wanted steps to be taken for ground water recharging, compulsory plantation in schools and promoting organic farming.

A V Swamy (Ind) raised the issue of bonded labourers living in unhygienic conditions and not being paid even minimum wages in Odisha and sought proper rehabilitation for them.