Gujarat is most indebted state: Kapil Sibal

Ahmedabad, May 26 (UNI) Gujarat is the most indebted state in the country, according to Union Minister for Science and Technology, and Ocean Development Kapil Sibal.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Mr Sibal said as on May 31, 2005, the total debt of the state stood at Rs 70,228 crore, the highest in the country. ''The state government is good but the state is indebted. Is this possible? All these issues need to be debated.'' There should be a debate on the state's industrial progress.

Statistics needs to be looked into to see what the industrialists achieved before this government came to power and what it is today, he said.

''We will not speak without facts and figures,'' Mr Sibal said.

''When we present a fact, we will also give the source. No newspaper figures. No Modi statistics or Modi ballistics. Only official statistics,'' he remarked.

There are several questions and issues that the Congress will raise in the run up to the Gujarat assembly elections slated later this year. And, one of it is, who should claim the credit for the progress that the state has achieved, Mr Sibal said.

Heaping praises upon the people of Gujarat, Mr Sibal said the government can only create an atmosphere but the real work needs to be done by the people. Who should get the praise for the progress? The people or somebody else? he asked.

Mr Sibal refused to answer a question on the CBI inquiry plea in the Soharabuddin case. To persistent queries, he retorted, ''Let us ask about Tulsiram. Ask the question to those who are in the jail.'' UNI VNB MAZ SY BST2235