UTI issue figures in LS

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, AUG. 16. The UTI issue once again figured in the Lok Sabha today with the Opposition demanding the Government's clarification on the reported statement of the NDA convener, Mr. George Fernandes, over the manner of appointment of the former Unit Trust of India chairman, Mr. P. Subrahmanyam.

Raising the issue during zero hour, the Congress chief whip, Mr. Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, wanted to know the veracity of Mr. Fernandes' statement that Mr. Subrahmanyam was made UTI chief on the recommendations of the AIADMK chief, Ms. Jayalalithaa. If this was true, it had cast serious doubts on the manner in which people were being appointed to important positions, he said.

Demanding a response from the Prime Minister, Mr. Dasmunshi said, ``the statement is an official allegation of a sitting member who made it clear that neither the Appointments Committee of Cabinet nor the Prime Minister acted on merit in matters pertaining to the appointment of important functionaries.''

No sooner had the Congress leader finished his submission, members belonging to the AIADMK, the Left parties and the RJD were on their feet demanding a explanation from the Prime Minister. The AIADMK's Mr. P. H. Pandian said Ms. Jayalalithaa had categorically denied having recommended Mr. Subrahmanyam's name. He called on the Finance Minister, Mr. Yashwant Sinha, present in the House, to clarify the situation. ``My leader neither knows him (Mr. Subrahmanyam) nor did she ever recommend his name,'' said Mr. Pandian.

Mr. Sinha appeared reluctant to clarify, and it was only after the former Prime Minister, Mr. S. Chandra Shekhar, made a forceful intervention demanding a explanation from the Government that he got up and made a cryptic comment that due procedures had been followed in the appointment. ``I have checked all the relevant records. Full procedures of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet were followed,'' he said and walked away.

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Section  : National
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