I totally agree with the views expressed in the editorial “Head in the sand” and the article “Sorry people, we're hanging up on you” (Jan. 12). After hearing Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal's defence of the 2G spectrum sale — that the CAG estimate was erroneous and that there was actually no loss to the exchequer — we are convinced that it is the entire UPA government that is responsible for the scam.
If the government tumbles sometime soon, Mr. Sibal can take credit.
T.A.P. Senthilkumar,
Ariyalur
Mr. Sibal deserves to be lauded on taking such great pains to find fault with the CAG report. If there was indeed no loss to the exchequer in the spectrum deal, as he claims, why didn't he prevail upon A. Raja to continue as Minister?
The UPA government can perhaps pass an amendment to abolish the post of CAG so that there will be no further embarrassment to the Congress or its coalition partners. This way, it can save the expenditure on the department. Mr. Sibal is always there to render legal and accounting advice to the government as he is an expert in both law and accounts.
R. Vasudevan,
Chennai
This letter is for the benefit of those who wonder whether Mr. Sibal is right in defending the government and those who wonder whether the truth about the spectrum issue will ever be known. A good rhetorician and, therefore, a politician should be able to attack any position that opposes his party, no matter how true or strong it is; and defend any position, no matter how false or weak. The aim of the argument is not truth, but victory.
Suswaram Ram,
Hyderabad
Mr. Sibal has imparted a new dimension to the spectrum controversy. It is unfair to condemn his view summarily. A dispassionate scrutiny would show that there certainly is a grain of truth in his stand. The CAG has worked out the loss to the exchequer based on the revenue accrued from the auction of 3G. Moreover, it is often the case that observations in audits are hasty and superficial, based on insufficient information and without considering all aspects. Much of the audit objections are settled or dropped subsequently.
P. Venu,
Kakinada
