CAG slams Modi for causing loss of Rs 750 crore

Report said the state government tweaked rules to grant land to automaker Ford India and engineering and construction major Larsen and Toubro

PTI | April 3, 2013



The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has indicted the Gujarat government and state Public Sector Undertakings for extending "undue" benefits to major industrial houses causing a loss of Rs 750 crore to the state exchequer.

The major beneficiaries of government's largesse included big corporate entities like Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), Essar Steel and Adani Power Ltd (APL), the report for year ended March 31, 2012, said.

The government auditor's report, tabled in the state assembly yesterday, also said the state government tweaked rules to grant land to automaker Ford India and engineering and construction major Larsen and Toubro.

"Gujarat State Petronet Ltd (GSPL) was responsible for deviating from the agreed terms of recovery of gas transportation charges from the specified entry point of the company's pipeline network and this led to passing of undue benefit of Rs 52.27 crore to RIL," the report said.

CAG was of the view that GSPL had failed to safeguard its own interest and passed on undue benefit to RIL.

Similarly, it noted that Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) did not adhere to terms of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), which led to short recovery of penalty of Rs 160.26 crore and passing of undue benefit to Adani Power Ltd (APL).

The main Opposition Congress promptly utilised the CAG report to attack the Narendra Modi government, alleging a "collusion" between the state dispensation and corporate houses.

"We have been raising the issue of collusion between corporate houses and the state government at every forum. The corporate houses get undue favours from the state government and in turn they praise the Modi government," Congress spokesman Manish Doshi said.

The state government, however, sought to downplay the issue, saying what the government auditor had noted was "not a scam but just irregularities".

"This is not a scam but in the language of CAG it is called irregularities. The report will go to the Public Accounts Committee and later the state government will take a call on it," Gujarat finance minister Nitin Patel said.

Comments

 

Other News

Development paradox: Falling poverty miracle and an inequality problem

India’s reduction in poverty over the past decade is a development achievement of considerable significance. The World Bank’s April 2026 ‘India Development Update’ estimates that the share of Indians living below the international extreme-poverty line of $3.00 per person per day i

In Arunachal, a river we call mother

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang is not just a river. For many of us, especially the Adi people, it is part of our family. Our grandparents fished in it. Children learned to swim in it. Our farms drink from it. When someone says a huge dam will be built on it, we do not hear the word "project".

A new retelling of the Mahabharata delves into key moments

In a time when every decision carries consequences and questions of ambition, power, loyalty, identity and moral choice continue to shape our lives, Dr. Arun Krishnan’s new book, ‘Mahakshana’ (Penguin India) offers a strikingly relevant retelling of the Mahabharata.  

Cabinet approves viability gap funding to develop grid-scale energy storage systems

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Development of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems, with a total financial support of Rs.14,500 crore for the period FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The scheme aims to support the development o

Cabinet creates a pathway to absorb Agniveers in Defence Forces

An objective assessment in terms of organisational requirements and operational efficiency has brought out the outstanding performance of Agniveers in terms of skills, motivation levels, physical fitness and technological prowess. As envisaged earlier, based on merit, 25% of Agniveers will be offered reg

Modi inaugurates, lays foundation stone of Pune Metro projects

Prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for Pune Metro projects worth around ₹21,800 crore on Tuesday through video conferencing. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the PM extended warm Diwali greetings to the people of Pune and Maharashtra and remarked that f

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter