Coal scam much bigger than it was thought: PM

Hussainiwala (Punjab), March 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the coal blocks allocation scam during the tenure of the previous UPA government at the centre was much bigger than the figure of Rs 1.76 lakh crore pointed out by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its report.

Addressing a martyr's rally after paying homage to martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev at their memorial in Hussainiwala in Punjab's frontier district of Ferozepur, the prime minister made a direct attack on the UPA government over the coalgate scam.

"The coal scam was thought to Rs 1.76 lakh crore as per the CAG report. Some people said that the amount was exaggerated. It has turned out to be much bigger than that figure. Only 20 coal blocks out of 204 blocks have been auctioned by our government so far and over Rs.two lakh crore has already collected. Rest of the coal blocks yet to be auctioned. Imagine how much more money will come for the development of the country," Modi, sporting a yellow turban, which is symbolic to martyr Bhagat Singh, said.

"Corruption has ruined our country," he lamented, adding that martyrs like Bhagat Singh had not sacrificed their lives to see the country in this situation.

Highlighting another scandal related to purchase of LED bulbs by the UPA government, Modi said: "The previous government bought LED bulbs at Rs.300 per bulb in 2014. We have bought the same for Rs.80 apiece. There was rampant corruption everywhere."

Modi arrived here Monday afternoon and paid homage to freedom struggle martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. The prime minister placed a wreath at the martyrs' memorial and bowed with folded hands.

IANS