Sibal's remarks show PAC, CAG in poor light: Joshi

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Parliament's Public Accounts Committee Chairman Murli Manohar Joshi hit out at Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal for questioning the Comptroller and Auditor General report on the 2G spectrum scam. He said that Sibal's comments showed both the PAC and the CAG in poor light and said that the telecom minister's conduct was unbecoming.          

"I have been authorised by the PAC to take steps to ensure such incidents do not take place in the future. The issue is even more serious because Sibal is in charge of the ministry, which is currently under the scanner," said Joshi. 

Repeating his earlier comment that Sibal has not read the report carefully, Joshi refused to spell out what action is being contemplated against the telecom minister.

To a question on whether Sibal's remarks amounted to breach of privilege, the BJP leader said as of now he was not in a position to say anything on the issue. He said there was no suggestion or proposal before the committee to call Sibal for seeking clarification on his remarks.

Last week, Sibal had described as "utterly erroneous and without any basis" the estimated loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore arrived at by the CAG on account of allocation of 2G spectrum to telecom operators.

Joshi called a press conference on Wednesday in the wake of the chiefs of the three services -- the army, the air force and the navy -- before the PAC to explain alleged discrepancies in ration procurement and distribution. He said they were neither summoned nor were they reluctant to appear before the PAC. "They were only too happy to assist us and were satisfied with the meeting," he said.