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Apologise to CAG for wild allegations: Joshi to Cong MPs
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman Murli Manohar Joshi on Tuesday asked Congress MPs in the panel to tender “unqualified apology” to CAG Vinod Rai for their “wild allegations” against him. With Congress members attacking the CAG in PAC meetings, Joshi in his six-page letter to all the members suggested that the ruling party MPs can impeach the Auditor if they are not happy with him but they cannot make allegations against him in the parliamentary panel.
Referring to allegations by Congress members that all the reports of the CAG were based on “untruth”, “fraud” and “politically motivated”, Joshi reminded the members that no allegations can be referred or defamatory remarks made against the CAG, who is accorded the status of a judge of the Supreme Court.
“No allegations can be levelled against the CAG nor motive attributed to his findings. If MPs have ground to believe that CAG has exceeded its jurisdiction or his findings are not based on facts, they are at liberty to seek remedy under the Rules of Procedure and the procedure prescribed for the purpose,” he said.
Joshi further asserted: “The MPs who made wild allegations against, and cast aspersions on, the CAG in the PAC must withdraw their words and render unqualified apologies to the CAG and abide by the ruling of the Speaker on the notice of breach of privilege against Krishna Menon, the then Defence Minister.”
Pointing out that no derogatory remarks can be made against the CAG on the floor of the House and no allegations can be made against him in the PAC either, Joshi referred to an instance of attack on the Auditor by the then Defence Minister Krishna Menon in 1960.
The Speaker had then ruled that nothing shall be said against CAG’s remarks despite whatever he might say and however strong the language that might have been used. The Defence Minister then expressed his unqualified regrets and withdrew his remarks. Menon had criticised the CAG on its findings in the controversial of purchase of jeeps.
The CAG’s conduct can be impeached only on a substantive motion by taking recourse to the procedure prescribed in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, said Joshi in his letter.
Joshi held that the apprehension that the retired DG, Audit (Post and Telecommunications) may not feel free and frank in his deposition in the presence of the CAG was unfounded and unsustainable.
“I see no valid ground why a retired Director General should feel intimidated by the presence of the CAG. I am, therefore, of the considered view that any departure from a well-established convention would undermine faith in the institution of CAG and set a dangerous precedent,” Joshi said.
