Congress defends Kapil Sibal over CAG remark

The Congress on Friday stood by Kapil Sibal for pulling up the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) report over the alleged 2G scam which the Telecom Minister had called “utterly erroneous”.

The government’s auditor had lashed out at Sibal on Friday saying it was ‘improper’ for anyone to comment on a matter being considered by a parliamentary committee.

Making public comments on the matter is highly improper and may even amount to contempt of the Parliament, the CAG had said.

Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan on Wednesday said she was “surprised and distressed” at the use of such “strong language” by a constitutional authority.

The CAG’s suggestion that MPs do not have a right to speak on any issues when CAG report is being examined by a Parliamentary committee was concerning, she said.

She also asked why it had not reacted when the Opposition was clamouring over the issue.

With his government facing incessant heat over the purported telecom scandal which, according to the CAG, cost the government’s exchequer Rs 1.76 lakh crore in lost revenue, Kapil Sibal had on hit out at the CAG last Friday calling it’s estimate “utterly erroneous”.