Cong to protest against Guj govt over CAG report findings

Accusing the BJP-led Gujarat government of trying to cover up the issues raised by CAG in its report tabled in the state assembly, opposition Congress today said it would launch agitations to highlight the auditor's findings.
"Starting August 9, Congress party would stage mass agitations across Gujarat against the state government to make people aware about the issues that have come up in the CAG report. The government is trying to cover up," Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela said during a press conference here.
The CAG had raised several issues in its report tabled on the last day of the Budget session that concluded recently.

"One of the main issues highlighted by the CAG is about the loopholes in the security arrangements in state prisons, which resulted in the Sabarmati jail tunnel digging episode (last year)," he said.
"55 serial blasts accused had dug up a 218-feet long tunnel in Sabarmati prison and yet no official knew about it. When the audit was done, several crucial details were not provided by the jail authorities. The report suggested that the government indirectly helped the criminals," said Vaghela.
The Congress leader demanded a public trial on the lapses of prison security in the state. "I demand that all the Home Department officials must be put on a public trial to compel them to reveal the truth," he said.

Vaghela alleged that state government had not punished the official who was not able to detect the tunnel earlier.
"Instead of punishing the jail official, he was promoted. It shows that the officer was rewarded for what government asked him to do. He was asked by the government to turn a blind eye on tunnel digging," Vaghela alleged.
The CAG has also brought to light several irregularities in power sector, water supply, PSU, ports, among other things, he informed.