Indian PM ready to quit politics if charges are proved
India is one of the largest producers of coal in the world
PM'S AIRCRAFT, May 30, 2012 - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Tuesday that he was ready to give up public life if there was even an “iota” of truth in the allegations of graft made against him by anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and his team.
Earlier this week, Team Anna levelled charges of corruption against Dr. Singh and
13 Ministers, issuing a “charge sheet” against them, and demanding the setting up of a special investigation team to probe the charges.
The allegations against Dr. Singh related to the allocation of coal blocks when he was looking after the Coal Ministry. Campaigners say Mr Singh and 13 cabinet ministers should be investigated after a draft report by government auditors said India lost $210bn by selling coalfields too cheaply. The allegations against Mr Singh and his ministers were made last week by campaigners linked to Anna Hazare, who has been demanding strong anti-corruption laws.
India is one of the largest producers of coal in the world. The leaked report said private and state companies benefited from coalfield allocations between 2004 and 2010.
But the auditor later said the details "being brought out were observations which are under discussion at a very preliminary stage". (Compiled from BBC and The Hindu reports)