Black money in foreign banks is bigger scam than 2G: BJP

The BJP today claimed "Rs70 lakh crore" black money stashed in foreign banks is a 200 times bigger scandal than second-generation mobile telephony spectrum scam and demanded that the Centre take steps to bring back the amount.

"The money stashed in foreign banks and tax havens by India's dishonest people should be brought back to the country. This scandal is 200 times bigger than the 2G scam," BJP vice-president Shanta Kumar told reporters here.

He regretted that despite being a signatory to United Nations Convention against Corruption for five years, "India has so far not ratified it".

"While 126 countries have ratified this, India is among the 14 nations which are yet to do so. I raised this issue in the Rajya Sabha recently and sought to know from the prime minister that what steps were being taken to bring back the black money, but got no satisfactory reply," he said.

Kumar said recently he was part of a parliamentary delegation to the UN where a representative of Switzerland "admitted on the floor of the House that the money deposited in the banks of his country is a stolen property... he also said that the initiative (to bring back black money) lies with the political will of the country concerned".

The BJP vice-president said he wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in October, saying "Switzerland would offer help if we show seriousness to bring back the black money, but so far I have got no reply from him".

"On two earlier occasions also, I have written to the prime minister on this issue, but have not received any reply, but only got acknowledgements of my letters," he claimed.

On demand for joint parliamentary committee probe into 2G scam, he said "before the budget session of Parliament, we are going to hold rallies and make people more aware of this issue. We hope the government will accept the demand for a JPC."

On Congress turning the table on BJP on corruption issue by demanding sacking of party general secretary Ananth Kumar for his alleged links with corporate lobbyist Nira Radia, Kumar said "then it calls for all the more reason and justification why the government should have a JPC probe. We are saying let things become clear."

Kumar also questioned the government on price rise, alleging that Congress-led UPA government is not serious on tackling the issue, which is also a result of corruption.

"The prime minister is asking agriculture minister Sharad Pawar how the prices of onion have gone up... the fact is that this problem is also related to growing corruption as some people have been benefited."

He said during the NDA regime there was daily monitoring of prices of essential commodities and steps were taken "much in advance" when there was slightest hint that prices could go up.

On BJP-SAD ties for the next assembly elections, he said ruling alliance is as strong as ever and the partners would jointly fight the 2012 Punjab polls.