In Response to RTI Request, CAG Refuses to Share Rafale Audit Report Saying Its ‘Under Progress’
Relying on the Modi govt’s sealed note, SC had observed in its Rafale verdict that the CAG report “has been examined” by the Public Accounts Committee.
The Comptroller and Auditor General has refused to disclose details about its audit in the Rafale aircraft deal, saying the process is not yet complete and any disclosure at this stage will amount to breach of the Parliament’s privilege, an RTI reply said.
In its response to Pune-based activist Vihar Durve who had sought the report from CAG, the country’s auditor said, “The audit is under progress and the report is yet to be finalised. The information cannot be given under Section 8(1)(C) of the RTI Act as the disclosure would cause breach of Parliament,” reported PTI.
Section 8(1)(C) of the Right To Information (RTI) Act exempts information the disclosure of which would cause a breach of privilege of Parliament or the State Legislature.
Last month, the Supreme Court had dismissed on jurisdictional grounds the pleas challenging the Rafale deal. “The pricing details have, however, been shared with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), and the report of the CAG has been examined by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Only a redacted portion of the report was placed before the Parliament and is in public domain,” the bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi had observed, relying on the sealed note submitted by the government.
After opposition parties and civil society raised the issue that no such CAG report had been placed before the PAC, the Narendra Modi-led government had hurriedly approached the court seeking changes in the judgment.
The government had said that the court had made a ‘typographical error’ and that the sealed note had said the government “has already shared” the price details with the CAG, which was written in past tense and “is factually correct”.
Where it was stated by the Centre in the note that the report of the CAG “is” examined by the PAC, was a description of the procedure which is followed in the normal course, but in the judgement, ‘is’ was replaced with the words ‘has been’, according to the application.
The clarification, however, failed to be convincing. Congress’ leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge had commented, “entire paragraph can’t be a typo.”
(With PTI inputs)
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