In the wake of the controversy over S-band spectrum allocation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of presiding over “an empire of corruption” and sought his clarification on nine questions regarding the award of the precious resource.
The party alleged that the allocation of 70 MHz of S-band spectrum to Devas Multimedia by ISRO’s Antrix was another “mega scam” after corruption in Commonwealth Games, 2G Spectrum, CVC appointment and Adarsh Housing Society.
“It is self evident that Manmohan Singh presides over an empire of corruption and scams causing heavy loss to public money, its image being one of the most corrupt administration since independence and yet it is claimed that he is Mr. Clean,” BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
The main opposition also made light of the PMO’s statement earlier in the day, stating that since no decision had yet been taken on the allocation of 70 MHz spectrum, reports of a loss to the exchequer had no basis.
“It does not deny that there was an agreement. Question here is not whether there was a loss,” Mr. Prasad said.
He demanded a clarification from the government, saying the Prime Minister was directly responsible as the Department of Space comes under him.
“There is no (A) Raja or (Suresh) Kalmadi here. Did you approve the deal or not. Country is deeply agitated over this issue,” he said.
Not satisfied with PMO's reply
Mr. Prasad alleged that the Prime Minister’s office had come out with “this kind of a terse reply” and asked him how many more scams and for how long would the country have to witness.
BJP also attacked Congress president Sonia Gandhi, asking her to break her silence on this scam.
“Sonia Gandhi is chairperson of National Advisory Council and chairperson of UPA. How long will she keep quiet.
Say something. Do you hold any accountability or not? You have not spoken on CWG, Adarsh or 2G. Will you ever speak?” Mr. Prasad asked.
Among the questions BJP posed to the Prime Minister are: ISRO comes directly under the Prime Minister. Was an approval (for allocation of spectrum) sought and was it given and if so on what terms and conditions? and whether the 2005 agreement between ISRO and Devas approved by the government as it involved parting of government property.
The principal opposition also asked if the Department of Space under the Prime Minister sought public auction of 70 MHz spectrum and if the Prime Minister asked ISRO to ensure at least some mechanism to have a reasonable pricing of the spectrum.
The BJP also questioned the delay of five years in terminating the 2005 agreement which was done only in July 2010.
“What was MoS in PMO dealing with the Ministry of Space and present Chief Minister of Maharshtra, Prithviraj Chavan, doing for five years when such massive irregularities and corruption was staring in the face of the government,” Mr. Prasad asked.
The BJP asked why the July 2010 decision was not being implemented.
“Which is the hidden hand which is preventing the monitoring and review of decision immediately when a wrong is committed and further is preventing the decision to terminate this agreement from being implemented?” Mr. Prasad asked the Prime Minister.
Referring to Devas Multimedia’s claim that it had not yet received any communication from ISRO about the contract, the BJP asked what review of the entire agreement is being undertaken as claimed and why it is shrouded in mystery.
“Spectrum of 20 MHz was given to BSNL at the rate of Rs. 12,847 crore whereas to Devas it was given for Rs. 1000 crore for 70 MHz. These are important questions which Singh must explain to the nation. The concerned ministry is directly under his charge and he cannot escape responsibility or accountability,” Mr. Prasad said.
The BJP alleged that Dr. Singh was presiding over a government that lacks transparency. “There is collusion at high levels, there are no checks and balances and a virtual collapse of system where scam after scam and scandal after scandal has become the order of the day”.
“Mr Prime Minister you are supposed to contain the rot. You have been Prime Minister for seven years,” Mr. Prasad said. The party demanded a thorough inquiry into all aspects of the scam.
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