Congress flays Modi Govt for going ga-ga over Hutch

Ahmedabad, July 18 (UNI) The Gujarat Congress today flayed Narendra Modi government for allowing his ministers and officialdom to switch over to Hutch connections from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), which will cost the state exchequer approximately Rs 40 lakh per month.

''This means that Modi government will be footing a monthly bill of at least Rs 40 lakh for this extravaganza,'' said Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil.

Sometime back, the state government had constituted a committee which had recommended as a money-saving approach to go in for BSNL connections. After the panel's recommendations, the state government had given all its officials and ministers BSNL mobile connections.

Now, by switcing over to Hutch, the government will have to pay at least Rs 2,000 per month towards phone charges from people like deputy secretary to chief secretary and from Chief Minister himself to collectors and DSPs. This works out an extra Rs 40 lakh, which is a burden on tax-payers, Mr Gohil said.

There is more to it than meets the eye, he said.

During any criminal investigation, the BSNL makes the call data available with ease, but that is not the case with private companies like Hutch, he said.

For instance, during the investiation of Haren Pandya murder case when records were sought from Hutch, the company pleaded helplessness, saying that it was difficult to furnish the same, he said.

Why the government has given the network contract to Hutch? Or is it a gift to Hutch for any favours done? Mr Gohil asked.

UNI