“What’s wrong in it?” – It is this simple question that was asked in the Parliament of India exposes the audacity of our politicians, the unabashed manner in which they perform the atrocities, flexing the muscles of the public sector and Government norms in the name of coalition, and above all it proves that our politicians are indeed worried about their personal interests than the interest of the nation. One wonders whether someone answered him or not for this question.
It all started with the 7 letters that were sent from the PMO questioning why the task (read favor) is not accomplished to Petroleum Ministry. Mr T R Baalu was hell-bent behind this task being accomplished. One might wonder, why Mr. Baalu, whose ministry is irrelevant to this is taking such a care, however as the saying goes, Blood is thicker than water, it is the parental care in Mr. Baalu had driven him to go for a overkill in this issue.
He is maneuvering the systems as to get cheaper gas for King Power Corporation and King Chemicals both are run by his sons. The worst part in this is one company does not exist at all while one is declared as a sick unit by BIFR. While the market rate is around $16 per mBtu, Mr. Baalu wants this gas to be supplied at $2 per mBtu to these companies.
ONGC and GAIL are in the picture and Mr. Baalu is flexing all his muscles to get the gas at such a rock-bottom price for his sons’ companies. For this, he has written to our Prime Minister many times (read threatened) and also paid visits to Mr Deora’s office. He had summoned Chairmen of both the companies and directed to work out a way as to supply the gas at cheaper rate.
The gas supply agreement was made when DMK was a part of coalition govt run by BJP and the agreement was made only with King Chemicals. The company, however, delayed getting transport contract and the agreement date elapsed. The company went to High Court of Madras reinstating gas link that went in company’s favor. Fearing a cut in the supply of gas (as to provide these companies), APM gas consumers approached the court that said the issue be resolved by Petroleum ministry. While BJP was blamed for taking revenge in cutting the gas-link, the papers showed that it is difficult to restore the link to a defaulter. As to supply gas at cheaper rate they worked on options that said, “Introduce a pro-rata cut on all consumers in that area” for which the ministry opposed. The other option was to relocate the power plant.
All these incidents indicate how the politicians in our country play with the systems. The rich is becoming richer at the cost of tax payers’ money. If the gas is to be supplied to the minister’s son at 8 times lower the market price and give them a business advantage, how to compensate the loss of the company? Why the tax-payer has to bear the burden for the mis-handling of affairs by these green-eyed monsters?
Adding insult to injury is the words Mr. Baalu uttered in the parliament. He said, “These shareholders (of King Chemicals) asked me to do something about them. A BIFR company has to be saved by the management. Accordingly, I put a word to my friend, the Petroleum Minister. What is wrong with that?”
Why can’t Mr. Baalu ask these shareholders to buy the gas at market price and do business on ethical standards?
Why can’t he simply tell the shareholders to resolve the issue with Ministry of Petroleum without involving much into it?
Will Mr. Baalu involve himself so personally if whoever goes to him with a problem?
Such incidents expose why the politicians do not want the public sector companies to be made public. They can’t get favors extended to them as they wanted even if it meant a loss to the company. They are interested in filling their pockets and draining the country out.
The irony is such scoundrels are ruling us and we are tolerating it. We claim we are the largest democracy but we could not remove such ministers from the cabinet despite knowing the fact that they are doing wrong at the cost of nation’s interest. There is nothing wrong with these politicians. The wrong lies with us, we do not protest, we elect such people, and we keep allowing such things happen. Mr. Baalu, I have an answer for your question, “We, the people of India are wrong”. You guys mint money as long as we are wrong!
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