SC, PAC criticise Sibal for questioning of CAG report on 2G spectrum

SC, PAC criticise Sibal for questioning of CAG report on 2G spectrum 

Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal has come under strong criticism by Supreme Court and Public Accounts Committee for his remarks berating CAG's report on allocation of 2G spectrum.

Strongly objecting to Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal's attack on CAG report, PAC Chairman Murli Manohar Joshi has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar requesting her to take "prompt" and "effective" steps to stop "such constitutional impropriety" by ministers.

Joshi questioned whether it was appropriate for a minister, particularly the one holding the charge of the ministry concerned, to cast aspersions on CAG report after it has been tabled in the House.

"As Speaker of the Lok Sabha, you are the only authority to whom the Committee (PAC) can approach for seeking clarification from the minister on the above issues and advise the Committee," Joshi wrote in the two-page letter dated January 19 copies of which were distributed to the media.

Sibal had rubbished the findings of the CAG in 2G spectrum allocation that the loss to the exchequer was to the tune of Rs 1.76 lakh crore and said the calculations were "erroneous".

Joshi has also enclosed clippings of newsreports on Sibal's press conference and the CD of an interview given by the Telecom Minister to a TV channel.

"The statement (by Sibal) raises several issues regarding parliamentary propriety and preserving and respecting the independence of the CAG - an institution established by the Constitution and the PAC, a Committee elected by the Parliament...," he said.

He said the three issues needed to be addressed in the light of Sibal's statement.

"I, therefore, beseech you to take prompt steps to prevent the recurrence of such constitutional impropriety on the part of the ministers. I am afraid if a situation of confrontation between ministers and other constitutional authorities and the Parliamentary Committees develops, then the days of healthy and vibrant democracy are numbered," Joshi's letter said.

"Already a sense of cynicism is growing and if it has to be replaced by a sense of hope and confidence, we have to take effective measures," it said.

Speaking to reporters, Joshi said while a minister has a right to speak, "the issue is what and when to speak...the Supreme Court observation is clear that there should be a context to it...the dignity (maryada) should be followed."

Govt has right to express its views on CAG report: Sibal

After a rap from the Supreme Court and Parliament's PAC, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal today said that he meant no disrespect to any institution by his comments on the CAG report on 2G scam, but maintained that "canards" had to be responded to.

"I mean no disrespect to any institution... I have neither directly or indirectly tried to interfere with any process going on," Sibal said.

He, however, said that the government needed to respond to canards which were being spread because of the CAG's report on 2G spectrum scam.

The CAG had given its report in November last year saying the government may have lost up to Rs 1.76 lakh crore due to sale of spectrum in 2008 at 2001 prices.

"I am fully aware of my responsibilities, my obligations, my duties not only as a Minister but also as a citizen of this country," he said in response to PAC Chairman's letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar.

Sibal, meanwhile, welcomed Supreme Court's observation that no one should comment on CAG report.

"I wish that Supreme Court had made this observations earlier as that could have prevented an unnecessary controversy", he further said.