Guilty will not be spared, asserts Jr FinMin Shukla

Finance Ministry will implement PMO’s decision in this matter: MoS

Investigations in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam are on in full-swing, said Minister of State (MoS) for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla. He said the finance secretaries are in talks with the Prime Minister’s office (PMO) on this matter. The finance ministry will implement the decision taken by PMO, he added.

Speaking to reporters after Assocham’s banking conference, Shukla said, “All our secretaries are in talks with the PMO. The finance ministry will implement the decision taken by PMO.”

On the latest media report of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) summoning finance ministry official, he said, “I have no idea about the Central Vigilance Commission summoning the finance ministry officials. If it is the case, it must be there but I have no idea about.” According to media reports, CVC have summoned top officials of PNB and the finance ministry. They have been asked to appear before the CVC on February 19. As per media reports, on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, additional secretary, and department of financial services is likely to be present. He added that the investigation related to PNB is on. “We will not spare anyone who is responsible for this fraud. The Indian government will punish Nirav Modi for such fraudulent act.”

When asked about the diamond mogul being at Davos with Narendra Modi, he said that Nirav didn’t go to Davos with the PM. He clarified that it was a group photo and Nirav came there on his own.

On being quizzed if this case would work in the favour of bank merger (in negative or positive way), he said the merger of the bank has to be thought thoroughly.