The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India's observation of presumptive loss allegedly caused by the irregularities in the allocation of 2G Spectrum in 2008 lacks rationality. It has resulted only in sensationalism. One wonders whether the CAG can review government policies. Can we take action against the Food Minister for foodgrains rotting in government warehouses? Let there be a fair inquiry into the spectrum issue.
G. Kulandaivelu,
Panruti
The CAG report is based on perception and forecast with a lot of ‘if's and ‘but's. If A. Raja is to be punished for causing a great loss to the exchequer, the Finance Minister, the Petroleum Minister, and all other Ministers should take responsibility for the policies that cause losses to the exchequer and resign.
A. Amudhavanan,
Alangulam
The CAG report indicting Mr. Raja and the Supreme Court's poser on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's silence over a complaint seeking his prosecution are disturbing. A closer look at the issue exposes the nexus of an important section of our corporate sector with the Telecom Ministry. Can the Prime Minister be absolved of the responsibility in the issue? Does not his silence amount to acquiescence? Is not this state of affairs — corporate sector-ministerial nexus, the Prime Minister's silence, and the continuous exposure of scams — a pointer to a deeper malaise in governance in which the influence of private capital looks to be playing a pivotal role?
Kasim Sait,
Chennai
I feel the visual media have gone overboard in dealing with Mr. Raja. They have already branded him accused. They give rise to doubts that some sections of the media, controlled by the upper class, are bent on maligning even Cabinet Ministers on the basis of their caste. Mr. Raja may be responsible for many lapses in the 2G Spectrum issue. But there are procedures in Parliament to deal with them. The media have no right to humiliate him. Media trial is bad for democracy and should be shunned by all right-thinking people.
G.E. Siluvaimani,
Chennai
This refers to the report that the Supreme Court has questioned the alleged inaction and silence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for 16 months in taking a decision on a complaint seeking sanction for the prosecution of the former Telecom Minister in the 2G Spectrum scam. There can be no justification, other than the UPA government's political survival, for the delay. Dr. Singh should at least now act sternly and let the law take its own course. Economic offenders cannot be allowed to go scot-free in a country where a large number of people still struggle for their basic needs.
M.V. Nagavender Rao,
Grand Ledge, Michigan
It appears that coalition compulsions prevented Dr. Singh from giving the requisite permission. Had he taken a decision earlier, the scam would have been exposed long ago. A situation has arisen to do away with the law seeking permission for the prosecution of Ministers.
Sravana Ramachandran,
Chennai
The stalemate in Parliament over instituting a JPC to inquire into the spectrum scam is more of a political stunt. Dr. Singh comes across as a leader whose integrity cannot be suspected. Why is his government opposing a JPC? If that is the way forward, and if that makes everyone happy and serves the purpose best, let us have it. It is the responsibility of the ruling alliance to prove to the people that it means business.
Alber Joseph,
Mangalore
