"BJP states opposed competitive bidding" - FALSE

27. "BJP states opposed competitive bidding" - FALSE

Though the UPA government has attempted to transfer the blame for their inefficiency on
BJP-led states, it is clear from an examination of the States' letters to the Centre that this argument
doesn't hold water. Coal is a major mineral, and as stipulated by the Schedule I of the
Constitution, is in the domain of the Central Government. Having been cornered, the
Government and Congress Party are now trying to come up with feeble excuses and transfer
the blame on BJP-ruled States. The various letters from the BJP Chief Ministers that clearly
prove the falsity of Congress allegations can be found in Annexure V.
Incidentally, then CPI(M)-ruled West Bengal and BJD-ruled Odisha also made similar representations.
The Congress Government in Maharashtra argued on the same vein. But while
heaping false allegations on BJP-ruled States, the Central Government and ruling party have
ignored these instances for political reasons.
We should also remember that the Central government had no compunction in overruling
the states in 2006, when it decided to allow 100% Foreign Direct Investment through an
administrative order, despite the States' objections. Therefore, the PM's defence, that it
"would have been undemocratic and contrary to the spirit of the functioning of our federal
polity" to implement the policy by administrative order sounds incredibly hollow.