CAG report flawed and disputable, says PM

PM Manmohan Singh on Monday led the counterattack on charges of impropriety against his government in coal block allocation, branding the state auditor's findings as "clearly disputable" and "flawed on multiple counts". HT reports.Read: PM's 32-point statement| PM's statement is a list of excuses: BJP

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday led the counterattack on charges of impropriety against his government in coal block allocation, branding the state auditor's findings as "clearly disputable" and "flawed on multiple counts".

Though Singh sought to initiate a debate on the alleged loss of Rs. 1.86 lakh crore as the government chose to allocate coal blocks instead of auctioning them, it degenerated into a bitter slugfest between the government and the BJP.

Singh was forced to table his 32-point statement in both houses of Parliament as the BJP members did not allow him to speak.

Singh said he took full responsibility for the decisions of the coal ministry, which he held between 2005 and 2009.

The PM also said that the allegations were "without basis and unsupported by the facts".

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addresses the media at Parliament House in New Delhi. PTI

Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley address a press conference regarding PM's statement on coal row in New Delhi. HT/Arvind Yadav