CAG sensationalising its reports by adding zeros: Congress

With three CAG reports giving fresh ammuntion to the opposition to target the government, the Congress today accused the auditor of sensationalising its reports and crossing the line.

The party spoke of "long-term implications" if any Constitutional institution does not maintain the "fine balance and decides to transgress".

Full coverage: CAG reports

Seeking to trash the CAG report on coal blocs allocation, which has led to BJP demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, party spokesman Manish Tewari said the Supreme Court had "not endorsed" the presumptive loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore pointed out by CAG in 2G spectrum allocation issue.

"The Supreme Court, while cancelling the 2G licences, did not make any observation with regard to the presumptive loss. If the apx court would have been convinced of averments of CAG, they would have endorsed the presumptive loss", he said.

Watch video: Moily refutes report on coal block allocation

"CAG will be well served by keeping this precedent in mind and not keep adding zeros, which unnecessarily sensationalises and vitiates the environment", he said.

Tewari's remarks came in response to a host of questions, including whether CAG was crossing the 'Lakshman Rekha' and on BJP demand for the resignation of the Prime Minister in the wake of CAG report on the coal blocs allocation.

The government has already rubbished CAG's findings that private firms had got "undue benefits" to the tune of Rs 3.06 lakh crore in coal, aviation and power sectors, claiming the calculations were "misleading" and "faulty" and accused the auditor of not following its mandate.

"The CAG has the habit of adding zeros and he should desist from it," Tewari said adding the auditor should draw appropriate lessons from the Supreme Court "failing" to endorse the presumptive loss on the 2G allocation.

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