CBI director A.P. Singh on Tuesday told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), headed by senior BJP leader M.M. Joshi, that to say 2G spectrum allocation caused “zero loss” to the national exchequer is “wrong”. Telecom minister Kapil Sibal had recently said that the 2G spectrum allocation had caused “zero loss” to the national exchequer and also rubbished as “utterly erroneous” the CAG’s calculation that the presumptive loss was to the tune of `1.76 lakh crores.
Appearing before the committee, the CBI director was asked several questions regarding the 2G spectrum allocation, including quantifying the loss caused by the alleged irregularities in the allocation. The CBI, in its FIR in the 2G spectrum case, has said the losses could be to the tune of `22,000 crores. However, sources said the CBI has indicated to PAC members that this loss could go anywhere between `40,000 to `50,000 crores.
“As far as he (CBI director) has seen the case, to say ‘zero loss’ is wrong,” Dr Joshi told reporters after the meeting. He said the CBI director was asked “some very important questions” by the committee members but Dr Joshi refused to divulge further. Mr Singh told the PAC members that he will get back to the committee on the issue.
The CBI director was asked about the methodology used by the agency to calculate the losses caused by the alleged irregularities in the 2G spectrum allocations. But he told the PAC members that presently the focus of the investigating agency is on “criminal conspiracy” involved in the spectrum allocation.
To questions on whether former telecom minister Arun Shourie will be called by the PAC, Dr Joshi pointed out that the CBI has already asked him to appear before it on February 21.
“Whatever information we get after this meeting (of Mr Shourie with the CBI) we will then decide whether to call Mr Shourie,” Dr Joshi replied. Mr Shourie had claimed that he had apprised PM Manmohan Singh and also alerted the CBI about the 2G spectrum corruption.
When asked whether the PAC will probe where the profits allegedly made by former telecom minister A. Raja were routed to, Dr Joshi said, “First the CBI needs to establish the criminal conspiracy in the case. After that we will take the second step (to probe where the alleged profits were routed to).” He also said that if needed the head of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) can also be called by the PAC. This Central agency is also probing into the 2G spectrum case.
The PAC in its meeting on Tuesday also discussed three other reports including an action taken report on acquisition of submarines.