Nitin Gadkari must quit: Congress

NEW DELHI: Congress has demanded the resignation of Union minister Nitin Gadkari and a judicial probe against Purti, a company the minister and his family are allegedly linked to, following “severe CAG strictures”. Congress may raise the matter in Parliament next week, a move that can hit the government’s heavy legislative agenda.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi quoted a CAG report to allege Purti had sought a loan of Rs 84.12 crore from Ireda for installing renewable energy in 2004 but misused funds to set up a 100% coal-funded power project.

“The project…was converted to a fully coal-based unit in gross violation of the prescribed allowed stipulation of a maximum 25% deviation. The company violated the very basis of getting a loan fromIreda… the primary renewable energy-promoting government agency.”

He alleged the Purti group hoodwinked Ireda by asking for a one-time settlement and paid back only Rs 71.35 crore, “resulting in a sacrifice of Rs 12.77 crore” to exchequer. Gadkari was not available for comment but Purti Power and Sugar spokesperson Jayant Dixit said in a statement, “Nitin Gadkari had left the Purti board several years back.”

Dixit added, “Purti Sakhar Karkhana has always been a “law abiding entity” and has nothing to hide. The CAG report tabled in Lok Sabha is about a one-time settlement scheme of Ireda…while settling repayment of loan…with Ireda, PSKL furnished all necessary documents… CAG report mentions that in April 2014, Irdea management told CAG that PSKL has settled the entire loan outstanding as per OTS norms.”