New Delhi, Aug 07: The issue of reported irregularities in arms procurement for Kargil operations is likely to rock Parliament again after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday expressed its "inability" to give its findings on the issue due to "refusal" by the defence ministry in providing the Central Vigilance Commission report on the matter. Committee chairman Buta Singh, tabling his report in both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, had alleged, "In the face of refusal by Ministry of Defence in supplying the CVC report, the PAC regret their inability to give their findings on the defence procurement transactions reported in the CAG`s report on review of procurement for Operation Vijay."
The report was tabled in the two Houses amidst din as BJP members protested alleging the report had been leaked even before it was placed in Parliament. The committee expressed surprise that such a vital document, which was considered essential for scrutiny of Kargil arms purchases, had been withheld from them on the grounds of secrecy.
It described as "an anomalous situation" that while findings of the CAG on the arms purchases were made public, secrecy was claimed by the defence ministry under procedures and conduct of the business of the House to withhold the CVC report. The Opposition is likely to corner the government on the issue once again today. Bureau Report