PAC tells defence ministry to trace, share missing Bofors files
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has asked the defence ministry to trace and share with it all missing files related to the Bofors scandal, according to its two members.
The six-member sub-committee on defence, headed by BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, is looking into the long-pending non- compliance of certain aspects of the CAG report on Bofors guns deal.
The PAC strongly objected to the ministry’s suggestion that certain paragraphs of the CAG report may be dropped as some files related to it are missing, according to the minutes of the parliamentary panel’s meeting, a copy of which is with PTI.
The meeting was held earlier this month.
During the meeting, both PAC chairman Mahtab and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey stressed on the need for top ministry officials to trace and share missing files and notings related to the deal.
According to the minutes of the meeting, top defence ministry officials agreed that the ministry will share all the required details with the PAC. When contacted, two MPs who are members of the committee confirmed that the ministry has agreed to share the details with them.
The Bofors scandal relating to alleged payment of kickbacks in procurement of howitzer artil- lery guns had triggered a massive political storm and led to the fall of the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1989. The CAG report on Bofors is the oldest “pending” report before the PAC that examines reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India after they are tabled in Parliament.
CASE MAY COME UP IN SC
Speculation is rife that the politically sensitive ₹64 crore Bofors pay-off case will come up for substantial hearing in the Supreme Court soon, amidst a fresh media report suggesting a financial quid pro quo for the ₹1,437 crore Howitzer gun deal in 1986.
BJP leader and advocate Ajay Kumar Agarwal, who had challenged the Delhi HC May 31, 2005 judgment quashing all charges against the Europe-based Hinduja brothers in the case, said the matter was listed in the weekly list earlier this month, but could not be taken up. He said the SC may list the matter after its constitution bench completes hearing on right to privacy and he was also contemplating filing an application for an early hearing.