Govt submits its Action need-not-be-Taken Report

There’s now official evidence to show that the Government stubbornly refused to look the petrol-pump scam staring in its face. Way bac...

There’s now official evidence to show that the Government stubbornly refused to look the petrol-pump scam staring in its face.

Way back in December, the Parliamentary Standing Committee had waved several red flags but the Government, in its draft Action-Taken Report, accessed by The Sunday Express, has ignored several key recommendations and on others, didn’t even bother to reply.

YOU KEEP PROPOSING, WE’LL KEEP ON DISPOSING

» Committee: Auction dealerships, have a category for unemployed.
Govt’s reply: Not accepted
» In the deregulated era, PSUs should be free to choose retailers, locations.
No reply
» Manner in which 13 of 59 DSB Chairmen were sacked discriminatory and a violation of natural justice.
DSBs disbanded so no action needed.
» Why no weightage to co-operative societies and corporations?
No reply
» ‘‘Functional autonomy’’ to the complaints cell.
Not needed
» DSB chiefs admitted to political pressure, there should be a mechanism to look into complaints.
DSBs dissolved anyways

It accepted only one of the 13 recommendations of the committee—that of dissolving the Dealer Selection Boards which it did in May. But by then, the party and its friends had run away with the loot. This report is expected to be discussed by the committee on Monday.

The Government dismissed the idea of holding auctions as proposed by the committee saying it isn’t feasible and that oil companies felt that the highest bidder need not be the most eligible candidate. Ironically, auctions were announced by the Prime Minister following the expose by The Indian Express.

Also ignored was the committee’s crucial demand that an inquiry be held into complaints that chairmen and members of the Dealer Selection Boards were under pressure to make allotments. Six chairpersons have since then told The Indian Express about political pressure and Vidya Sagar, one retired judge from Jammu, even alleged that Petroleum Minister Naik called him up with his list of favourites.

Naik has denied the call and said that he can’t take responsibility for calls made from his office. Says the Government’s draft ATR: ‘‘The committee recommended that there should be an institutionalised mechanism to look into the complaints.

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The Ministry in response said that on May 9, 2002 all the DSBs had been dissolved and therefore there is no need to establish a seperate mechanism (for these complaints).’’

The other area of disagreement was on the recomendation that the complaints and redressal cell, the Anti-Adulteration Cell set up in March 2001, be given ‘‘full functional autonomy.’’ The Government’s report has skirted the issue merely saying that of the 1,274 complaints received, 198 had been dealt with.

Now that the allotments have been cancelled, members of the House committee are unsure what the next meeting’s agenda will be. Says member Sheela Gautam, BJP MP: ‘‘The sting has been taken out of proceedings of the Committee after the allotments were cancelled. I have raised the issue at this week’s meeting of the sub committee and expect the full committee meeting on August 12 to be a stormy one.’’