Joshi didn't doctor CAG report on 2G: ex-auditor RP Singh

New Delhi, Nov 25: The ex-auditor who two days ago alleged that BJP leader and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman

had influenced the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the

spectrum scam now claims to have been "misquoted".

RP Singh, former director general of Audit, Post and Telecommunications with the CAG, said that the newspaper which highlighted his allegation about Joshi contacting officials in the auditor's office prior to the 2G report's release was wrong. Singh's reference was to the Indian Express that sparked a political furore.

After the daily published Singh's interview on Nov 23, Congress leaders accused the BJP of colluding with the CAG to change the 2G report to suit their ends. Refuting the charge, the main opposition party dubbed Singh as "a pawn in the hands of Congress and government to defame the CAG."

The CAG's office pointed out that its report on the 2G scam "bears the counter signature of RP Singh who was the DG and was the auditor concerned for the telecom sector."

Surprisingly, a TV programme showed Singh's retraction. Appearing on Devil's Advocate, Singh told Karan Thapar that a member of the PAC and not Joshi tried to doctor the auditor's report.

"I do remember there is documentary evidence where it is stated that a member of the PAC had asked to calculate losses using a particular formula. I cannot confirm the name, but I confirm the content," he said.

When Thapar asked Singh whether the Indian Express which avers he mentioned Joshi's name during the interview is "inaccurate", Singh replied that the newspaper "misquoted" him.

To Thapar's specific query regarding any evidence of "Joshi trying to influence the CAG report", Singh responded: "Not that I have seen."

With Singh making the U-turn, the ruling party will probably have to come up with a fresh offensive against both the BJP and the CAG.

OneIndia News