2G loss dispute: CAG offers to explain to PAC

With the figure of Rs 1.76 lakh crore loss in 2G spectrum allocation being disputed within, Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Vinod Rai today offered to give explanation on it to the Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which is set to re-examine the case in view of demand by a Congress member.

The PAC, which met here to discuss the CAG reports on Commonwealth Games and Adarsh Society scams, also decided to summon RP Singh, former Director General of Audit (Post and Telecommunications), who was the lead auditor in 2G spectrum allocation and had reportedly disputed the loss figure of Rs 1.76 lakh crore.

The decision was taken after Congress member Sanjay Nirupam demanded that Singh should be called to explain, sources said.

Hours ahead of the PAC meeting, the committee Chairman Murli Manohar Joshi also received a letter from Rai who expressed readiness to explain the methodology used for estimating the losses due to the controversial allocation of 2G radiowaves.

Rai cited Nirupam's letter to Joshi, which had appeared in a section of the media, pointing out reported differences within the CAG on the estimation of the losses.

Singh had reportedly said the losses were to the tune of Rs 2,645 crore only.

It was also decided that Rai's deputy Rekha Gupta would also be present to explain the doubts of the members.

Nirupam is understood to have questioned the credibility of all the CAG reports and insisted that the Committee should not proceed further on the auditor's reports on Commonwealth Games and Adarsh Society scam till the issue of estimation of 2G losses was settled.