National News
Modi government exposed, says Congress on Paradise Papers
Accusing the Modi government of of “betraying the people with zero action against black money hoarders”, the Congress on Monday demanded the resignation of Union Minister Jayant Sinha and BJP MP R.K. Sinha after their names surfaced in the Paradise Papers.
“Will the Prime Minister show courage of conviction to hand over this entire information to the Bench of the Supreme Court looking at action against Black Money holders? Will the ‘Compromised Bureau of Investigation’ (CBI) and ED take action by booking them and conduct raids on them?,” asked Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala at a press conference.
Targeting Jayant Sinha, the junior Minister for Civil Aviation, the Congress accused him of suppressing information about his links with U.S.-based company, D. Light Design, in his declaration to the Election Commission, Lok Sabha Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office.
“Is this not an electoral offence,” Mr. Surjewala asked.
“Jayant Sinha refuses to quantify or disclose his interest in the profit investments made by Omidyar Network either in D.Light Design or in other corporate entities including whether any part of such investments was in an entity based in or connected to an offshore tax haven,”said Mr. Surjewala.
“Does it not compromise the position of Jayant Sinha as MoS? Does it not tantamount to conflict of interest? Is the non-disclosure of all information in the affidavit before Election Commission not an electoral offence?” he asked.
The Congress said that both Mr. Sinha and BJP Lok Sabha MP R.K. Sinha, whose security company, Security and Intelligence Services (SIS) appear in Paradise Papers, have no right to continue in their present position unless the Supreme Court that is probing black money hoarders concludes its investigation.
When it was pointed out that the names of the sons of former Ministers Vayalar Ravi, Veerappa Moily and P. Chidambaram, along with Rajasthan Congress leader Sachin Pilot, also figure in these papers, Mr. Surjewala said the Congress party welcomes any probe by any government agency and said the CBI and ED have already probed Mr. Pilot.
