Petrol pumps: BJP got a huge slice and Cong nibbled at it too

But one reason why the Opposition Congress may think twice before raising the issue in Parliament is that the allottees include the kin of some Congress leaders as well. The Sunday Express had reported that almost half of the DSB allotments had gone to relatives of BJP leaders and other coalition partners.

Rahul Kaswan, son of Ram Singh Kaswan, BJP MP from Churu in Rajasthan, was allotted a retail outlet at Ratangarh. But the Churu story doesn’t end here. Kanak Budania, wife of former Churu MP Narendra Budania of Congress, was awarded a retail outlet in Sridungargarh.

Nirmal Indora, wife of Sirsa MP Sushil Kumar Indora of the INLD, was allotted a pump at Fatehabad in Haryana. Incidentally, the MP was a member of the Ministry’s consultative committee.

Confirming that she was allotted a petrol pump in Udaipur by Naik’s Ministry, senior Congress MP Girija Vyas, who was also on the ministry’s consultative committee, told The Indian Express that there was nothing irregular about it. When asked if her party would raise the issue of allotments being cornered by ruling party leaders and allies, she said: ‘‘I don’t know. These things happen with every party.’’

Petroleum Minister Ram Naik declined to comment sayng: ‘‘I would not like to discuss this issue since my view was not reported in the first place.’’ Naik was touring Palgarh in Maharashtra and, despite several attempts, could not be reached. His Secretary, however, spoke to the newspaper saying there could be “lacunae.”