PM IN TROUBLED WATERS

The Congress-led UPA Government is in the dock on the issue of Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu misusing his position to favour his sons’ firms.
Heat is now on the PMO for having written eight letters to the Petroleum Ministry asking for renewing gas allocation to the two companies run by Baalu’s sons, in which both his wives are shareholders.

The PMO is expected to issue a statement on the issue. External Affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee may clear the Government’s stand on the PMO’s role in the issue on Monday.
The Congress is somewhat relieved that no gas was provided to Baalu’s sons’ companies despite the PMO letters. But the fact that the PMO wrote eight letters between November 2007 and February 2008 has put the party on the defensive.