‘Comments on CAG not meant to disrespect’
Telecom minister Kapil Sibal on Friday said that his comments on the CAG report was just to put forth government’s view on the issue before the general public as it was not getting an opportunity to do so in Parliament and he had no intention to show disrespect to any institution.
Mr Sibal said in fact it was during the NDA rule that then defence minister George Fernandes had got pamphlets issued against CAG for its report, which had claimed that the defence ministry had purchased coffins for Kargil martyrs at inflated prices.
The telecom minister said that before the government got the CAG report or before it was tabled in Parliament, the report was with the media. Mr Sibal said that on the basis of the report there were discussions going on in the media that the government’s actions have resulted in loss to the exchequer.
“The government could not comment on the report before it could get it and after the government got the report, we wanted a discussion in Parliament but was never given an opportunity. So we got no opportunity (to comment) on the report before and after it was tabled in Parliament. And discussion was going on in electronic and print media as if the government was guilty,” Mr Sibal said.
Post new comment