New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) Launching a scathing attack against ruling dispensation, the Congress on Sunday questioned the government of not directing the RBI to disclose the names of loan defaulters and suspected a foul play of crony capitalism as large number of cooperative banks and societies belong to Gujarat.
The allegations from the grand-old party came after the Supreme Court ordered the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to disclose its annual inspection reports of banks, along with the list of wilful defaulters and information related to them under the Right to Information Act.
In December 2015, the Apex Court had held that the RBI is accountable to the general public and cannot withhold information under the defence of "trust" with the financial institutions.
Addressing the press conference here, Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "Under the Banking Regulation Act and the RBI Act, it takes the government 15 seconds to direct the RBI to disclose the lists. Mr Modi and the BJP were hand in glove in not revealing the defaulters list even after the Top Court ordered in 2015."
While questioning the government of the day, Mr Singhvi cited few points that could be reasons for not revealing the names.
"My questions to the government, to the RBI and specifically to Modiji and the finance minister is why this RBI is not disclosing the names? Why the government is not giving a directive to disclose? Is this because Mr Modiji wants to hide something? We are not afraid then why are you afraid in disclosing the names since when you are alleging everything as the Congress deed? Is it because most of the cooperative banks belong to Gujarat? Is it Mr Modi, is it BJP or the government hide and protect your crony capitalists friends?," the senior Congress leader said.
He also alleged the ruling dispensation of suppressing the facts. "This government believes in suppressing the facts,digressing from the issue and shooting the messenger, as in the case of Rafale deal.Is the data being withheld because it includes the list of crony capitalist who are friends of those in power? Someone whose name has surfaced in a scam? Someone who was preferred over a PSU?," Mr Singhvi questioned.
On April 26, the Apex Court had said, the RBI is "duty bound under the law" to disclose information sought under the RTI Act.
The court had also ordered the RBI to "withdraw its disclosure policy", which it said is in violation of an order passed by the court in 2015 directing the central bank to disclose information under the provisions of the RTI Act.
UNI ASH PS 1535