PNB fraud: CBI questions former RBI Deputy Governor
New Delhi, April 6: The CBI on Friday questioned a former Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in connection with Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud involving diamantaire Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, an official said.
Informed sources said the official was also questioned in connection with alleged benefits to diamond merchant Choksi's group of companies following 80:20 gold import scheme brought by then Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.
The move comes a day after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioned three Chief General Managers and one General Manager of the central bank.
Modi, a regular on the lists of rich and famous Indians since 2013, along with his group companies -- Diamond R US, Stellar Diamond and Solar Exports, uncle and business partner Choksi -- the promoter of Gitanjali Group, and others have been named in the scam which was admitted by the PNB in February, leading to a massive upheaval in the country's banking system.
Modi left the country along with his family in the first week of January this year, weeks before the scam was reported to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
His wife Ami, a US citizen, left on January 6 and uncle Choksi on January 4.
The CBI in February had approached the Interpol with a request for issuing a Diffusion Notice against Modi to locate him.
The PNB has claimed in different complaints to the CBI that several Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) - issued by one bank to other banks, based on which foreign branches offer credit to buyers - were fraudulently issued by its officials in connivance with Modi and the other accused in the case causing huge losses to the bank.
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Adequate LPG stock in Chhattisgarh, no need to panic, says CM Sai
Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.
He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.
Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.
The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.
Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.
The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.
In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.
He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.
The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.
Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.
