Oppn calls Sibal's zero loss claim 'bizarre', 'flawed'

Opposition parties today slammed as bizarre, flawed and a cover-up exercise, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal’s contention there was no loss at all on account of the controversial 2G spectrum allocation, debunking CAG estimates of a Rs 1.76 lakh crore loss.

The opposition leaders, including Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman Murli Manohar Joshi also hit out at Sibal for his strident criticism of the CAG, saying it was highly objectionable and alleged his stand was an attempt designed to save former Telecom Minister A Raja, who had to resign in the wake of the 2G scam, and other beneficiaries.

Congress, on its part, defended Sibal from the opposition attack, saying it found nothing wrong in his criticism of the government auditor and that any MP or minister could raise questions on a CAG report, based on the findings.

Joshi, a senior BJP leader, said Sibal’s stand was “improper” and demonstrated his “very casual” approach. “In my opinion, it is highly improper. The CAG has never said that it was the exact amount. Sibal should have read the report carefully,” Joshi said while reacting to the telecom minister’s contention that the presumptive losses projected by CAG were “erroneous”.

Terming as ‘bizzare’ Sibal’s stand, CPI-M said it appeared to be “a cover-up exercise” to shield the beneficiaries of the scam.

CPI-M Politburo member Sitaram Yechury described as “flawed” Sibal’s argument that CAG’s methodology on presumptive loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore was erroneous.

“It appeared to be a cover-up exercise to shield those who had benefited,” Yechury said in Bangalore.

Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said, “CAG report is for scrutiny. Any MP or minister can a raise question mark on the report, based on the latter’s findings. If Sibal has said something based on documents, we do not think it is wrong on his part.”

BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad reacted sharply to the telecom minister’s statements, saying, “Sibal’s unwarranted comments have sought to overreach parliamentary process when PAC is looking into it. It is a frontal attack on CAG, designed to save (former Telecom Minister) A Raja,” he told reporters in Guwahati.

In a statement, CPI(M) said Sibal’s statement on the issue was “clearly meant to protect the ill-gotten gains” made by corporates who got the licenses at throwaway prices.

“It is clear from Sibal’s defence that the UPA government is far more deeply involved than just the lone acts of A Raja”, the CPI(M) Politburo said, adding his “bizarre defence” of the 2G spectrum allocation once again underlined the need for a joint parliamentary committee(JPC) to investigate the issue.

The minister’s statement was “clearly meant to protect the ill-gotten gains that the corporate houses have made by securing 2G license and spectrum at throw-away prices. This is the reason why Sibal is attacking the CAG report”.

CPI-M said that with Sibal’s statement, the UPA government had “lost all credibility that it can carry out any impartial probe on this issue” and, therefore, a JPC was required.

Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy alleged that Sibal’s stand was an attempt to influence investigations into the scam. He said the court should take suo motu notice of the contempt of court committed by the Minister, who made statements about the case when the Supreme Court had passed an order directing the CBI to report to it.