CBI chief puts 2G scam loss at Rs 50,000 cr

Rebuts Sibal’s claim that 2G caused ‘no loss’ to the government.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief, A P Singh, on Tuesday contradicted Union telecom minister Kapil Sibal’s claim that the 2G spectrum allocation had resulted in ‘zero loss’ for the government.

During his deposition before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) headed by the BJP’s Murli Manohar Joshi, the CBI Director said the controversial allocation resulted in a loss of Rs 40,000-50,000 crore for the government.

The PAC, not satisfied with the admission, asked the CBI boss about the basis of this calculation of the CBI. Initially, it was noted, the CBI had pegged the loss at Rs 22,000 crore in one of its reports. Singh sought another opportunity to come back to the committee with a written reply, explaining the methodology and how the CBI arrived at Rs 40,000-50,000 crore.

The CBI chief also faced some tough questions on why the premier agency has not been able to pinpoint officials culpable in the telecom ministry and companies involved and had instead referred to ‘unknown’ officials and companies in registering a case.

Sources in the PAC suggest the next meeting would have the Enforcement Directorate appear before the committee. Some of the private companies reportedly involved in the allocation scam would also be asked to come.

Insiders believe the CBI chief’s deposition will add more fuel to the Opposition and to the PAC, that has already locked horns with the minister.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, however, has taken no position on PAC chairman Joshi’s complaint against minister Sibal for rubbishing the comptroller and auditor general’s (CAG) report on the spectrum allocation. After Sibal held a press conference and hammered the CAG for an allegedly faulty report, Joshi had written a letter for Kumar’s direction on this issue. In her response, Kumar merely asked the committee to adhere to the rules of conduct of proceedings of parliamentary panels, sources said.

Joshi discussed Kumar’s letter in the meeting on Tuesday and it was decided he would meet the Speaker personally to discuss the issue.

Sibal had earlier argued as “utterly erroneous” the claim that the 2G spectrum allocation had caused Rs 1.76 lakh crore loss to the exchequer. he said it was ‘zero loss’. and had rubbished CAG’s calculation as ‘utterly erroneous’ as the presumptive loss was to the tune of Rs 1.76 lakh crore.

The committee didn’t discuss summoning former telecom minister A Raja for deposition. The issue of the Prime Minister’s offer to appear before the PAC also remained unresolved, sources said.