Deora to make statement in Parl on Baalu issue today

Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora will make a statement in the Rajya Sabha today regarding Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu misusing his official position by seeking favour for his family-owned private firm.

New Delhi: Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora will make a statement in the Rajya Sabha today regarding Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu misusing his official position by seeking favour for his family-owned private firm.

Following the opposition's demand that a clarification from the Prime Minister on the reported recommendation by the PMO to issue supply of gas to firms owned by the Union Minister's family.

The issue was raised by BJP and AIADMK in the House demanding a categorical assurance from the Government when it would respond. While addressing the BJP's parliamentary party meeting, Leader of Opposition L K Advani said the Prime Minister was duty-bound to make a statement on the subject. The BJP has alleged that the PMO sent eight reminders to the Petroleum Ministry asking it to hasten the case.

On Monday, Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said: "The PMO had only forwarded the requests to the Ministry. There is no question of endorsing or agreeing with the contents."

Ever since Baalu had admitted to asking favours for a family-owned firm and told the Rajya Sabha, that there was nothing wrong in requesting the Petroleum Minister to provide gas to the company, in which he had held the post of Managing Director and now his sons and their wives are associated with the firm, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) members have been disrupting proceedings in the Parliament for the past few days on the issue.

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