The government on Friday came under scathing attack by the Opposition on the findings of the Comptroller-and-Auditor-General (CAG) draft report on the KG Basin contracts given to Reliance Industries limited (RIL).
While the BJP called on the government to come clean on the issue as it has not refuted the contents of the CAG draft report that has appeared in the media, the CPI(M) has called on the entire Union Cabinet to own responsibility for the CAG findings and order a probe into it.
Taking strong exceptions to the leakage of the CAG report to the media, senior BJP leader and PAC chairman Murli Manohar Joshi said, “How was the CAG draft report leaked to the media? This is unprecedented. Has the government instituted an inquiry into the matter? This is a matter of privilege. The CAG report cannot be published before it is placed in the House.” Mr Joshi said that he is likely to move a privilege motion on the leakage of the report in Parliament.
The CAG report has reportedly alleged that between 2004-2006, the petroleum ministry had allowed Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) to benefit at the cost of the government in the development of KG basin.
The CPI(M), launching a frontal attack on the government, said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the entire Union Cabinet should own responsibility for the CAG findings and order a probe into it. Mr Sitaram Yechury said, “Under the principle of collective leadership in government, the entire leadership is culpable. The Prime Minister and the Union Cabinet must take full responsibility and order an inquiry into the matter”.
The ministry has, however, cautioned against jumping to conclusions as the report is yet to be finalised.