Linking the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam to the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime once again, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched a fresh attack on former finance minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday, 7 March.
Prasad said that Chidambaram's tenure opened all doors for some favoured companies and those who have been prohibited from participating in the 80/20 scheme were also brought in.
On 15 May 2014, P Chidambaram announced a new policy in which Star Trade Operators were attached to premium trading houses, which included Gitanjali jewellersRavi Shanka Prasad, Union Minister, as quoted by ANI.
"These trading houses were allowed to import gold up to 2,000 kg from any port of India. There was no control or verification. This is a downright racket," Prasad alleged.
In May 2014, the UPA had introduced the 80:20 rule, which allowed traders to import gold, but only after they had exported 20 percent of gold from their previous import. The rule was scrapped in November 2014 after the NDA came to power.
He further said that Congress had designated few companies for gold exports.
Prasad’s scathing attack comes just two days after he had alleged that the PNB scam could not have taken place without Chidambaram’s ‘blessings’.
“On 16 May 2014, the date of the declaration of results, the then Finance Minister gave aashirvaad to seven private companies under 80:20 Scheme. One of those companies was Gitanjali,” Prasad had said on Monday, 5 March.
(With inputs from ANI)
(Hey there, lady! What makes you laugh? Do you laugh at sexism, patriarchy, and misogyny? Do 'sanskaari' stereotypes crack you up? This Women's Day, join The Quint's Ab Laugh Naari campaign. Pick up that beer, say cheers, and send us photographs or videos of you laughing out loud at buriladki@thequint.com.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)