Need 'little' care while tapping: PM on Radia tape

New Delhi, Dec 14: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh broke his silence over Nira Radia tape controversy. PM said that he had asked Cabinet Secretary to look into the matter and to submit a report.

Manmohan Singh on Tuesday, Dec 14, said that phone tapping has been used for protecting national security and to prevent tax evasion and money laundering. He also added that concerned agencies should prevent the access of non-government people to the tapes.

"I am aware of the nervousness in some sections of the corporate sector arising out of the powers conferred upon the Governmental authorities to tap telephones for protecting national security and preventing tax evasion and money laundering. While these powers are needed in a world that we live in, they have to be exercised with utmost care and under well defined rules, procedures and mechanisms, so that they are not misused," PM said.

Manmohan Singh also asked to make ethical behaviour a part of corporate sector and not to make any short cuts.

Manmohan Singh's remarks came in wake of controversy over the leaked tapes, which have conversations of corporate lobbyist Niira Radia with media people, politicians and business tycoons like Ratan Tata in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.

Meanwhile, Outlook magazine had published new Radia tapes, where Rajya Sabha member NK Singh said that Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has worked for Naresh Goyal and now he has been working for Vijay Mallya.

OneIndia News