2G row: DMK gives notice for discussion in Lok Sabha

Mangalore Today Network

New Delhi, Nov 26, 2012 : As a reluctant government prepares to face vote in Parliament on the contentious Foreign Direct Investment or FDI in multi-brand retail issue, there is more ally trouble.

 

The DMK, which is the second largest member in the UPA after the Congress with 18 MPs, has given notice for discussion in the Lok Sabha on the issue of CAG report on 2G in the wake of former auditor R P Singh’s claims.

"The DMK has given notice under Rule 193 to discuss about the revelations made by RP Singh. We want to have a thorough discussion," DMK leader TR Baalu said today. He said that these developments put the entire issue in a new light which calls for "thorough discussion into the audit practices and constitutional mandate of the CAG".


The DMK’s action comes close on the heels of Union Minister V Narayanasamy’s remarks that the Centre was ready for a discussion in Parliament on the statement of R P Singh on the 2G spectrum allocations issue, if key ally DMK brings forward a motion.

Mr Singh, who headed the CAG team that audited the 2G spectrum allocations, said he never put the loss figure of Rs. 1.76 lakh crore in his draft report. He also claimed he was directed by his superiors - through a "written order" - to sign on the final 2G spectrum audit report.

In his draft report, Mr Singh had given a figure of Rs. 2,645 crore as loss from the 2G spectrum sale in 2008.

The CAG report tabled in Parliament in 2010 had created a political storm. The controversy over spectrum allocation also led to the cancellation to 122 licences by the Supreme Court in February this year.

The DMK had come under lot of pressure in the wake of the 2G scam and the then Telecom Minister A Raja had to resign in the wake of the controversy and was also arrested.

Karunanidhi had last week strongly pitched for a multi-member CAG, saying the recent flopped auction of 2G spectrum that netted only about Rs. 9,000 crore had proved wrong the top auditor’s report pegging the presumptive loss in 2G allocation.

 

Courtesy: NDTV