Virbhadra assails CAG, Press

SHIMLA, Aug 3: Former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today rejected observations of the Comptroller and Auditor General CAG of India on...

SHIMLA, Aug 3: Former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today rejected observations of the Comptroller and Auditor General CAG of India on alleged violation of the constitution on loans raised by the previous government and accused a section of press for blowing the issue out of proportions.

In his strongly worded reaction, Virbhadra Singh, who is also leader of Opposition in the Assembly, maintained that the government had not violated any constitutional provision. He accused the Accountant General of Himachal Pradesh of being unfair to the previous government and equally blamed the press for distortions and repetitive reportings on the report of CAG, which was recently placed in the Assembly.

Virbhadra Singh recalled that he made his position clear on several occasions on loans raised by the previous government through public sector undertakings as same was done to keep up the pace of development in the state.

Accusing CAG of being unfair, former Chief Minister recalled when for the first time, advance para on raising of loans by the HP State Electricity Board, was sent to the government in 1995-96, it said that the government had violated the constitution.

When the government clarified the position that Constitution had not been violated, the para was modified to say that Constitution had been by-passed. 8220;In all fairness, the Accountant General should have given the government8217;s complete version in his report and left the matter open to Public Accounts Committee PAC. By modifying the para, a sort of prejudice has been injected into the entire matter.

After that there was no use of giving government8217;s Version on subsequent paras 8211; which are reflected in the last CAG report,8221; he alleged.

He said now the entire matter would be viewed by the PAC only and would be sorted out there. 8220;But I would like to repeat with full force at my command that Constitution has not been violated,8221; Virbhadra said. Minister said.

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In the latest CAG report, Virbhadra Singh says the Accountant General had mentioned about improper operation of deposit heads, particularly Nathpa Jhakri Power Corporation NJPC counterpart funds and passenger insurance funds. The NJPC counterpart fund was started by the BJP government in 1991 and continued to be operated during the Governor8217;s Rule.

The Congress government only continued the practice and it was continuing even now. Practice of keeping passenger insurance funds in banks was also started by the BJP government. It continued through the Governor8217;s Rule and was continued by the Congress government. It may be continuing even now.

Former Chief Minister said many other objections raised in the CAG report were of routine nature which could be found in any such report. All these matters were to be finally sorted out by the PAC in proper perspective. However, sinister attempt to distort the CAG report and to capitalise on it for political purposes was regrettable, he alleged.