CAG rap on gas: don’t jump to conclusions, says govt

Following reactions from the political activists, opposition leaders and civil right activists to the draft audit report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the lapses by the petroleum ministry, the ministry of petroleum and natural gas said on Thursday that it was examining the draft report that involves scrutiny of administrative policy and technical issues.

Following reactions from the political activists, opposition leaders and civil right activists to the draft audit report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on the lapses by the petroleum ministry and favouring private companies operating in India’s oil and gas blocks, the ministry of petroleum and natural gas said on Thursday that it was examining the draft report that involves scrutiny of administrative policy and technical issues.

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“The preparation of a detailed reply will take some time,” the ministry said in a statement.

“It would be equally incorrect for the media commentators, political leaders and civil rights activists to jump to conclusions and thus short-circuit the process,” the ministry said, while appealing to all concerned to exercise restraint and allow the process to be completed.

The ministry’s statement further said that the office of CAG, on receipt of the petroleum ministry’s reply, will examine the reply on merit and will hold an exit conference with this ministry and it is only after taking into account of the reply of government that the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General will suitably amend the draft report and send the final report for placing it on the table of Parliament.

While the above process is underway, the ministry said it would be premature for the ministry to give any response on the observations made in the draft report at this stage.