Government will act against Mallya: Jaitley

New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) The government on Thursday said "every possible action will be taken" against beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour that Mallya, as of end of November 2015, owes about Rs.90 billion to the banks.

He was responding to the issue raised by Congress floor leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who wanted to know why the government did not "confiscate" the passport of the defunct Kingfisher Airlines chief.

The Congress leader wanted to know why the government and State Bank of India did not act against Mallya on time, which helped the business tycoon to flee.

Jaitley said every member of the house shares the concern raised by Kharge, but said the sanction of money made to Mallya was during the UPA regime.

"As far as accounts are concerned, first sanction was made by the consortium of banks in September 2004," he said, adding then again in 2008. "These dates speak for themselves," he said.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy said Mallya is "no saint" for the NDA regime.