Former director-general, audit (post and telecommunication) in CAG, R.P. Singh on Monday told the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) that calculation of presumptive loss in the 2G spectrum allocation was at best a “mathematical guess.”
Disagreeing with the loss figure of `1.76 lakh crores in the alleged 2G spectrum allocation scam, as put by the CAG in its report, Mr Singh put the figure at `2,645 crores. He also told the panel that he had signed the final report as he was directed by his superiors. JPC is looking into the 2G spectrum allocation case. Meanwhile, CAG Vinod Rai, who is scheduled to be questioned by the panel on Tuesday has requested Mr Singh’s presence at the time of his questioning. Sources disclosed Mr Rai, in a letter to JPC chairman P.C. Chacko, made this request.
Meanwhile, Mr Singh, who was questioned by the panel on Monday, said quantification of loss was not part of the objectives of the CAG audit and to show presumptive loss would be akin to introducing “individual judgement” to the audit exercise which was “questionable”.
He also told the panel that the `2,645 crores figure, calculated by him, was the actual loss based on non-revision of entry fee for telecom operators and the figure was part of the draft report.
Briefing the media later, Mr Chacko said the former CAG official maintained that loss due 2G spectrum allocation could not be calculated as auction was neither recommended by Trai nor contemplated by the government.
Sources said during the meeting, BJP member Jaswant Singh asked the former CAG official whether he signed the report and stood by it. Mr Singh replied that he had signed the report but was not responsible for the inputs provided by other auditors who had taken into account views of the finance ministry and the corporate affairs ministry. Other Opposition members, including Yashwant Sinha, questioned him why he did not put his disagreement regarading the loss figure on record.