This Article is From Apr 28, 2011

Govt will probe how Public Accounts Committee draft report was leaked

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New Delhi: Government will find out how the draft report of the Public Accounts Committee was leaked before it was discussed among its members, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said today.

"We will find out," she told reporters when asked how the report was leaked to the media. Soni, however, refused to comment on the report, which has faulted the Prime Minister and his office on the 2G spectrum allocation, saying it would amount to "contempt". (Read: Public Accounts Committee meets to discuss draft report)

"The report of the PAC has reached some sections of the media. I have no answer as to how it reached them. Until it is officially tabled, you cannot expect me to comment on that. I have no knowledge (of the report). Until all the members of the PAC agree with the report, it is not proper for a Union Minister to comment on it," she said.

On differences between members of the ruling coalition and Opposition over the report, she said the PAC is a Parliamentary Committee and its members have given their views.

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"If there is any difference it will be discussed and it is the basic element of democracy. Earlier also there were differences in committees. They were sorted out."

To a specific question, she said: "Let the report come. We will talk about it."

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An all-out political war broke out between UPA and Opposition after the draft PAC report came down heavily on the PMO, Cabinet Secretariat and faulted the Prime Minister in the 2G scam.

Congress and DMK hit back demanding Joshi's resignation.
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