"Manmohan caught in Coal Gate heat" "Manmohan summoned in Coalgate scam" screamed newspaper headlines. News channels relentlessly kept repeating the news that former Prime Minister has been summoned to appear before judge on April 8. It felt as if media was deriving vicarious pleasure out of defaming a man who has maintained impeccable integrity throughout his career. It was painful for me to watch media trying hard to provoke him out of his reticent mode by viciously defaming him. He can be criticized for being indecisive but definitely cannot be called corrupt. In this scam Manmohan Singh, PC Parakh (his secretary), and industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla was were summoned. Of the three I cannot say anything about Kumara Mangalam Birla. But I'm familiar with P C Parakh, a 1968 batch IAS officer from AP cadre, through my father's friendship with Valliappan, another IAS officer.
P C Parakh has slowly moved up the ladder after serving AP in different capacities with honesty and integrity and was on deputation to Central services. And was made secretary in the Ministry of Coal. It is very sad that two very honest people are accused and summoned and they will be investigated by CBI. I have my own apprehensions about CBI's functioning as I had an opportunity to see and experience how this body works during my 35 year stint at public sector company. P C Parakh in his book "Crusader or Conspirator" states that CBI is not equipped to find truth. Its expertise lies on fixing and unfixing people. And that CBI is totally staffed with police officers who have little or no expertise to policy formulation and its implementation. Further the entire investigation will be done by inspector level officers who have very little understanding about the decision making process in the Government. He also went to the extent of saying that the inspectors who talked to him on this were not even able to differentiate between a coal mine and a coal block.
Manmohan Singh has clarified that he took the decision based on facts placed before him and that it was an appropriate decision for him. It baffles common man when CBI registers an FIR against such reputed personality. Mere summoning does not prove that Mr Singh was dishonest and that he received considerations for awarding the mine to Hindalco nor will anyone think that he has received illegal gratification. I think public should be made aware of full facts and nitty-gritties related to this case to help them decide for themselves if Manmohan Singh is guilty or not.
