Cong MLA interfering in my work: Jaspal

GANDHINAGAR, July 20: State Civil Supplies Minister Jaspal Singh turned the tables on Congress MLA Daulatbhai Parmar in the state Assembl...

GANDHINAGAR, July 20: State Civil Supplies Minister Jaspal Singh turned the tables on Congress MLA Daulatbhai Parmar in the state Assembly on Monday by disclosing that Parmar had been pestering him for revoking the detention orders of a petrol pump owner, issued under the Prevention of Black-marketing Act.

Parmar alleged that the detention orders had been issued only because the petrol-pump owner was a Congressman and a Muslim. Objecting to the allegation, Jaspal Singh countered that the man had been found indulging in adulteration and black-marketing. He also read out the test reports of the samples taken from the petrol pump.

The minister said that the petrol pump owner had been evading arrest, but Parmar and certain other members, instead of persuading him to surrender, had been constantly pestering him to cancel the order, saying that the man was respectable and held an MBA degree. The Congress MLA and his party colleagues objected to the minister8217;s action in naming only Parmar.

They argued that MLAs took up with ministers all kind of public grievances in good faith, not with any personal motive. Parmar also said that similar detention orders had been revoked by the government in the past. Speaker Dhirbubhai Shah then asked Jaspal Singh to name others also who spoke to him on behalf of the petrol pump owner.

Jaspal Singh said he named Parmar because every time 8220;he met me, he spoke only about this matter8221;. He said he would not name others because they were not present in the House.

As for the allegation that petrol pump owner8217;s detention had been ordered only because he was a Muslim, the minister said similar action had been taken against 33 others, none of whom was a Muslim.

Jaspal Singh said the present government had not ordered revocation of any detention order issued by collectors in such matter. 8220;This was done by the previous government. But we will spare no one involved in such undesirable activities,8221; the minister said.

Story continues below this ad

The exchange took place during question hour when Parmar wanted to know the number of petrol pump owners in Banaskantha district against whom action had been taken under the Prevention of Adulteration Act and Maintenance of Supply of Essential Commodities Act between March 1, 1998 and June 15, 1998.

Parmar also wanted to know the justification for action under these two laws for a single offence. The minister said detention orders had been issued against Wazir Khan Motamian Bihari, owner of Vishal Motors, under the Prevention of Black-marketing Act and the Maintenance of Supply of Essential Commodities Act.

Jaspal Singh said action under different laws could be taken if these were violated. He also said his department did not deal with cases of adulteration, but he gave some details from test reports of samples collected from Vishal Motors. He said test reports of samples collected from four other petrol pumps were still awaited.