Congress refuses comment on criticism of Sibal
By IANSThursday, January 13, 2011
NEW DELHI - The Congress Thursday refused to comment on criticism of Communications Minister Kapil Sibal by the government auditor and by Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Murli Manohar Joshi.
A constitutional body is looking into the (Sibal’s) remarks. All stands are there. No doubt that an appropriate body will look into it, Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said here.
Referring to Sibal’s remarks questioning the figures of the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report on the 2G spectrum scam, Singhvi said the government viewpoint was known as was the viewpoint of the CAG.
There is no need to comment. The views of the government are known and are in the public domain. The PAC will look into it. Let us wait and watch, he said.
The CAG Wednesday refuted allegations that its report was leaked to the media and said that commenting on a matter being considered by a parliamentary panel was highly improper.
Sibal had questioned the calculations of the CAG that put the presumptive loss to exchequer while awarding 2G spectrum at Rs 1.76 lakh crore, and in an interview later asked how the auditor’s report was leaked.
Joshi Wednesday slammed Sibal’s remarks and said that the image of CAG and PAC had been dealt a severe blow. He said that PAC members had asked him to take appropriate steps so that such thing is not repeated in future”.
Defending Sibal, Congress said earlier this week said that CAG’s formula of presumptive losses was not correct.
