DMK favours multi-member CAG

UPA key ally DMK today strongly pitched for a multi-member CAG, saying the recent flopped auction of 2G spectrum that netted only about Rs9,000 crore had proved wrong the top auditors' report pegging the presumptive loss in 2G allocation at Rs1.76 lakh crore.

"The CAG gave a presumptive loss of Rs1.76 lakh crore in 2G allocation (in 2007). Now it has been proved wrong with the (latest) 2G auctioning. To prevent such mistakes in future, what is wrong if the CAG is made a more than a one-member body?", DMK Chief M Karunanidhi said.

Keeping this issue in mind, the Centre should consult experts and take a "proper decision", said Karunanidhi whose party faced the 2G heat with his daughter Kanimozhi and party leader and former telecom minister A Raja being made the accused in the spectrum scam.

Apparently referring to the hue and cry from BJP and other opposition parties to broadbasing the CAG, Karunanidhi wondered how such a measure could be wrong when the Election Commission, a multi-member body, conducted polls in a free and fair manner. The DMK Chief flayed critics who have charged the Centre with trying to dilute CAG in view of its critical findings relating to 2G and coal block allocations that have raised political storms.

He said central ministers like Kapil Sibal, Manish Tiwari and V Narayanasamy have already said the CAG report on Rs1.76 lakh crore loss to the exchequer was wrong and it was for the auditor to explain.