Most coal blocks allocation cleared during NDA regime: PL Punia

LAKHIMPUR: Chairman of National Commission for Schedule Castes (NCSC) P L Punia today slammed BJP for its opposition to coal blocks allocation, saying it was done during NDA rule.

"Most of the allotments which have been canceled had been cleared when NDA government was in power at the Centre," Punia told reporters here.

The Congress MP said his party would aggressively respond to the "false allegations" leveled by the opposition.

The decision to introduce FDI in retail and hike in diesel price is the outcome of global circumstances and economic challenges, he said.

He also termed FDI as beneficial to the interests of the farmers and traders.

"Afterall, Walmart and other such global giants are allowed to operate only in selected 53 mega-cities of India. How this was going to influence millions of small traders and shopkeepers, the opposition must explain," he added.

"The opposition is opposing the move just for opposition with no sound base in their allegation," he said.

Punia, who has been appointed zonal chief in UP Pradesh Congress Committee, said he would make all efforts to boost the party's image and gear up workers for the next parliamentary elections.

On the SP government, he claimed it bore resemblance to the rule by erstwhile BSP regime.

"Disheartened with BSP, the people had hoped a better governance under the young SP chief minister, however, nothing improved. Similar deteriorating law and order situation prevails, FIR's are not getting registered and repression of dalits is still on," he alleged.