Gohil accuses Modi of favouring Essar

Ahmedabad, Apr 30 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly Shaktisinh Gohil today accused the Narendra Modi-led government of indulging in financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore to favour the Essar Group.

''The government connived to allow Capital Incentive benefits to Premier and Prestigious Unit Scheme 1995-2000 to Essar for which the eligibility of the Company is under scanner,'' Mr Gohil said while addressing a press conference here.

He alleged that the Modi government had allowed the benefit to Essar Oil Limited (EOL) although three high-level committees had already decided that EOL was not eligible for the benefit of above scheme.

Essar had presented before these fora the argument that they could not begin production as it was beyond their circumstances. The State Government was expected to submit before the High Court certain facts like whether EOL was in a position to start production with the use of Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB)'s single buoy mooring, Mr Gohil said. The GMB had on May 12, 1998, made it clear that Essar could start production keeping aside the area under stay. Government did not present these proposals before the High Court and intentionally hid the facts to benefit the Company for Rs 10,000 crore, Mr Gohil alleged.

UNI MP MAZ RL PM1857