Indian premier’s ‘Mr. Clean’ image takes a battering
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NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, known as India’s “Mr. Clean,” is battling to save his image after becoming enmeshed in a damaging telecom scandal in the twilight years of his distinguished career.
Singh, 78, stands accused of failing to intervene when his telecoms minister, A. Raja, sold mobile phone licenses for a fraction of their value, losing the country up to $40 billion, according to the government’s audit watchdog.
There is no suggestion that Singh, always pictured in traditional sky-blue turbans, benefited from the license sales to mostly ineligible firms who won them without making competitive bids.
But the Supreme Court in a rare step last week asked the government to explain its “alleged inaction and silence for 16 months” on a request by an opposition lawmaker to prosecute Raja, who stepped down this month.
Under Indian law, the premier must approve criminal proceedings against any Cabinet member. Singh’s office has told the Supreme Court the government followed procedure in responding to the complaint..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101126com7.html
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