Let's hear what PM has to say on coalgate, says Yechury

Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury asked the Union government on Tuesday to separate coal blocks needed for power generation in the public sector and then go in auctioning of coal blocks that have been allocated to private sector.

"The reported loss of Rs 1.87 lakh crore came as a boon for BJP which intends to keep the issue alive till the next general elections as it sees this as an opportunity to come back to power," he added.

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh needs to explain to the parliament as well as to the people of India as to why a transparent system for allocation coal blocks was not used," Yechury noted.

"All those who are guilty of siphoning of huge resources must be identified and brought to book. Strict monitoring and guidelines must be announced with Parliament's approval. The party polit bureau wants that any future allocation of coal reserves must be done through transparent and objective bidding and in a manner so that it meets the needs of the governmental agencies," Yechury said.