CAG never indulges in selective leaks: Vinod Rai
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Mahendra Kumar Gupta
May 4, 2013, 11:19:50 PM5/4/13
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CAG never indulges in selective leaks: Vinod Rai
Pradeep Thakur & Rachna Singh, TNN | May 5, 2013, 03.26 AM ISTvinod Rai|RTI|comptroller and auditor general|Coalgate|CAG Leaks
CAG Vinod Rai.
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JAIPUR: Comptroller and auditor general Vinod Rai on Saturday said that reports of the CAG
can be accessed by the public at every stage, including when the draft
report is ready, through an Right To Information application.
"Under the law we are obliged to share information if someone files an RTI," Rai said here and added that whenever an audit query is raised if someone files an RTI the CAG is bound to give away the information, and this can happen at any stage of the audit, even at the point when the draft report is ready.
Rai was speaking here at the inauguration of the International Centre for Environment Audit and Sustainable Development. He said that the CAG office never has indulged in any selective leaks as it is duty bound to maintain secrecy till the report is tabled in Parliament.
Earlier, when the CAG's draft report on coal block allocations had leaked and he was accused by several cabinet ministers for finding it way into media, Rai wrote to the PM, saying , "Naturally leakage of this draft report may attract an allegation that the 'CAG leaks'. It would console me immensely if the source of the leak is investigated... As I had stressed earlier in my letter to you on July 5, 2011, I am not in a position to repudiate such an allegation as the leak could have been from my office or from the department to which this draft report was made available on 28.02.2012." The "department" being referred to was the coal ministry.
On the conflicting report given by the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on 2G spectrum, Rai said he would not comment on what the loss estimate the House panel has arrived at but as far as CAG report is concerned he said the auditor had given three band on estimation of presumptive losses, the highest being Rs 1,76,000 crore that was referred to and quoted.
"I can't put a finger on one figure and say that this is correct," Rai said and asserted that the purpose of giving three bands was to stress that "the quantum of loss can be debated."
He rejected speculation that he has any political ambition, claiming he has not yet discussed his post-retirement plans even with his wife.
"Under the law we are obliged to share information if someone files an RTI," Rai said here and added that whenever an audit query is raised if someone files an RTI the CAG is bound to give away the information, and this can happen at any stage of the audit, even at the point when the draft report is ready.
Rai was speaking here at the inauguration of the International Centre for Environment Audit and Sustainable Development. He said that the CAG office never has indulged in any selective leaks as it is duty bound to maintain secrecy till the report is tabled in Parliament.
Earlier, when the CAG's draft report on coal block allocations had leaked and he was accused by several cabinet ministers for finding it way into media, Rai wrote to the PM, saying , "Naturally leakage of this draft report may attract an allegation that the 'CAG leaks'. It would console me immensely if the source of the leak is investigated... As I had stressed earlier in my letter to you on July 5, 2011, I am not in a position to repudiate such an allegation as the leak could have been from my office or from the department to which this draft report was made available on 28.02.2012." The "department" being referred to was the coal ministry.
On the conflicting report given by the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on 2G spectrum, Rai said he would not comment on what the loss estimate the House panel has arrived at but as far as CAG report is concerned he said the auditor had given three band on estimation of presumptive losses, the highest being Rs 1,76,000 crore that was referred to and quoted.
"I can't put a finger on one figure and say that this is correct," Rai said and asserted that the purpose of giving three bands was to stress that "the quantum of loss can be debated."
He rejected speculation that he has any political ambition, claiming he has not yet discussed his post-retirement plans even with his wife.
R. Dua
May 8, 2013, 2:32:46 AM5/8/13
to dwarka-r...@googlegroups.com
We take this opportunity to appreciate and salute,officers like Mr Rai and Mr Sinha who are trying to change the tide.
Transparency in these imp matters augers well for everybody concerned in future.
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Arun Banerjee
May 8, 2013, 11:27:50 AM5/8/13
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What Govt. means TRANSPARENCY.? After May 22, Govt. will get a sigh a relief. But an extension of Shri Rai at this critical juncture is utmost important.
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