Friday, May 13 2005 16:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government today (May 13, 2005) ordered an inquiry into the sale of Centaur Hotels following severe criticism on the sale by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

"After examining the report of CAG in respect of sale of two hotels, the Government has decided to order an inquiry. The nature and scope is under consideration and will be announced in due course," Finance Minister P Chidambaram told Parliament.

The Finance Minister, however, did not State who would conduct the inquiry.

The suo motu statement by Chidambaram in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha came in the wake of demands by Left parties and several Congress members for a CBI probe into the sale of Centaur Hotels in Mumbai during the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) regime.

Earlier this week, the Finance Minister had told agitated Left members in the Rajya Sabha that Government would indicate as soon as possible what action it proposes to take on CAG findings pointing certain lapses by the NDA Government on the disinvestment.