CVC didn’t name any Minister: Cab Secy

The Cabinet Secretariat today denied the report in The Sunday Express that the Chief Vigilance Commissioner and the Cabinet Secretary appris...

The Cabinet Secretariat today denied the report in The Sunday Express that the Chief Vigilance Commissioner and the Cabinet Secretary apprised the Prime Minister of complaints of harassment made by PSU chiefs against six Ministers.

Calling the report ‘‘misleading,’’ the Cabinet Secretariat said that the CVC, during his meeting with the PM, did not ‘‘mention any names or make any allegations against any Central Minister.’’ The meeting, the Secretariat claimed, was to brief the PM ‘‘about various initiatives’’ taken by the CVC during the past one year. ‘‘The CVC also dwelt on the need to remove the misplaced fear of vigilance in the minds of senior public sector executives which often led to hesitation on their part in making the decisions.’’

	Give us names: Cong

			NEW DELHI: The Congress has said that PM A B Vajpayee had four days to reveal the names of the six Cabinet ministers found ‘‘seeking personal favours’’ from PSU chiefs, as published in The Sunday Express. Threatening a ‘‘nationwide campaign,’’ AICC general secretary Ambika Soni said: ‘‘Otherwise, we will meet the President to get Vajpayee to reveal the names.’’ (ENS)

The statement said that the PM had directed that ‘‘the issues raised by the CVC should be discussed in a Committee of Secretaries.’’ The meeting of that committee is yet to take place, the statement said.

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Shishir Gupta & Amitav Ranjan reply: On Saturday, The Indian Express contacted both CVC P Shankar and the Prime Minister’s Office. When asked specifically whether he had raised the issue of PSU chiefs complaining against Ministers, Shankar had replied: ‘‘There are certain things one can’t say one way or another, yes or no. It’s just like asking someone whether he beats his wife or not.’’ For his part, the PMO spokesman confirmed the meeting adding that ‘‘I am not aware of what transpired between the PM and the CVC.’’

When Shankar was contacted again today, he said: ‘‘I do not normally disclose names. I point out instances.’’ When asked why he was not willing to give details, he said: ‘‘Certain things are counter-productive.’’

We stand by our report.

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