Continuing his attack on the Gujarat government and the Modi cabinet, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday said that in the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) case, the overvaluation of coal imports from Indonesia amounts to 29,000 crore and that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is probing approximately 40 companies for overvaluation of Indonesian coal imports. He demanded that an SIT must be set up to ensure objective and time-bound inquiry.
A Singapore court had rejected Adani Global's plea, which sought a stay to produce documents pertaining to coal imports to India mostly from Indonesia. After that, the group moved the Bombay High Court on August 28. The DRI had alleged that the companies had inflated the price of coal imported from Indonesia so that they could divert the money abroad on one hand and avail higher compensation for the power.
"Adani's firm had asked courts in Singapore to quash the Letters Rogatory issued by DRI, but Singapore court rejected the plea. Now, the same firm is asking the Bombay HC to stall the DRI probe," said Ramesh.
In September 2017, a PIL was filed at the Delhi High Court by an NGO run by advocate Prashant Bhushan where it demanded an investigation by the Special Investigative Team (SIT). "On March 9, 2018, DRI in a litigation in the Delhi High Court said there was no need for a SIT and that it was probing the 40 companies and show-cause notices were issued to four companies," he said, adding the companies given notices belonged to Gautam Adani, Anil Ambani and the Essar group. Ramesh added that 70% of coal imports in the country was brought in by Adani's companies.
Ramesh said that on May 20, 2016, then Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia wrote to SBI chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya asking the SBI to provide the necessary documents to DRI. "After four days, she replied to Adhia saying the documents can't be provided because it was against Singapore law," said Ramesh.
Alleging that the Modi-led government is sitting on the scam, he asked why did PM Modi not ask Singapore prime minister Li Hsein Loong to take action. "He had gone to Singapore four times, while Loong came here once. Why has the matter not been picked up even one," Ramesh asked.
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