Instead of challenging CAG, act on its advice
By The New Indian Express
18th August 2012 12:30 AM
The much-awaited reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on allocation of coal blocks, ultra-mega power projects and Delhi International Airport, were tabled by the government in Rajya Sabha on Friday. Substantially maintaining the stand taken by it in its ‘draft’ reports, the CAG has found that the government allocated coal blocks, power projects and land for the airport at a fraction of market prices, potentially causing the state exchequer astronomical sums by way of revenue losses. The losses due to the ‘flawed’ policy on coal block allocations between 2005 and 2009 have been pegged at `1.86 lakh-crore, making it bigger than the 2G scam that has put former Telecom minister in the dock and resulted in the Supreme Court scrapping all telecom licences.
Since the coal ministry was directly under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the relevant period, the Opposition has expectedly demanded an explanation from Singh and an independent probe. On the other hand, the government seems to have opted for the familiar tactic that it unsuccessfully tried while dealing with the CAG’s report on the 2G scam. It has challenged the authenticity and credibility of the reports, questioning the procedure adopted by the CAG as well as its conclusions.
Whatever their merit, coming after the Commonwealth Games and 2G scams, the CAG’s latest reports will cause further erosion of government’s credibility. It is clear that the government’s inability to take timely and credible measures to deal with administrative lapses has led to the growth of crony capitalism.
It is time the prime minister put in place a mechanism that does not allow such arbitrary use of government’s authority. More important, instead of shooting the messenger, the government must address the issues that have been raised. Rather than challenging the constitutional office of the CAG, it must show its sincerity by accepting the recommendations of the audit reports and take immediate follow-up action.
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Comments(4)
There is a vast difference between spectrum and coal allotments. Spectrum is reused day in and day out. Or, like allotment of lands, it is virtual land occupied by users/ owners. In case of coal, it is a source for conversion of one form of energy into another- electricity. We should not lose sight of the distinction. Coal has not been exported, unlike case of iron-ore, minting huge foreign exchange by unscrupulous private persons, for next to nothing. But power Cos. had used total coal to produce scarce electricity. What Govt. should do is, to take a re-look at tariff charged all these years to total advantage of private power players who got coal at almost zero price. Let it use for bench-mark, price of coal if power utilities had got coal from CIL(as would have been the case)- minus amount for prospecting- from these Private producers for resources they used, though such allocations were due to negligence of concerned Officials/ ministers without realizing impact of their actions.
Posted by KANNAN at 08/18/2012 08:25 Reply to this Report abuse
With a spate of reports from the CAG on several scams, the UPA may find its going a bit tougher. Its stand that CAG has exceeded his mandate is devoid of substance. If it dremas of a constitutional amendment to restrict his powers, it will prove to be the undoing of UPA because of the might of a combined opposition which will have one more grievance to put the govt., on the mat. Its thinking to have constitutional amendments would backfire. Borrowing a recent caption from The Economist, London, our countrymen too will say In Vinod we trust . An article observes that some Rs. 31 lakh crores will be needed to augment our infrastructure. Even if part of this would come through PPP, if instances like DIAL occurs, imagine the loss to the nation; that will be several times more than all the current scams put together. CAG, media and Parliament are the only hopes still left for the common man to urge on the govt. to observe prudence in managment of public assets and safeguard public income
Posted by s subramanyan at 08/18/2012 11:20 Reply to this Report abuse
Everytime a team event causing loss to the exchequer through battery of scams,comes to the fore,the centre brands it a solo drama. Accountability,and collective Responsibility are the words, which the lexicon of UPA does not show.Every time, some lame excuses are thrown. PM says,I don't know.Ministry pleads ignorance.Bureacrats disown.The cursed Indians are to stomach all these with big heart.Just imagine the fate of India, when judiciary and CAG turn defunct. Deification of rulers and a rosy picturisation would have been the funny order. Why should UPA II ,turn repeatly blind to gargantuan loss to national economy? Why should it behave remorseless? Why should it relent to rejig the system? The answer is simple.It hinges on number game to occupy throne. The polical awakenig as witnessed through change of guard in Europe is an eye-opener. The hapless voters may tend to take leaf out of the above.The media and the movement to expose the character of UPA have a bigger role to play
Posted by C.Chandrasekaran(Madurai) at 08/18/2012 15:13 Reply to this Report abuse
Kiddish title "Instead of challenging CAG, act on its advice" What does the author expect? Mainomafiosi and her cohorts and associated businessmen in Jail ! Utopian Heights..lol
Posted by Bharat at 08/19/2012 23:29 Reply to this Report abuse