CVC report on arms deal submitted to SC: Govt

Govt said in LS that it had submitted "factual parts" of the CVC report on defence purchases to the SC and was not against laying the report in the House.

Government on Thursday said in Lok Sabha that it had submitted "factual parts" of the CVC report on defence purchases to the Supreme Court under its directions and was not against laying the report in the House.

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This was stated by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee during Zero Hour in response to a demand by Leader of the Opposition LK Advani for tabling of reports of the Phukan Commission and CVC on arms purchases in the House before any discussion could be held on the fresh affidavit filed by the Government before the apex court on Kargil arms purchase cases.

"I did not say I would not lay it (CVC report). What I wanted to know (from the NDA) was that what had prompted them to claim privilege and not provide the document to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament," Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee, who is also the Leader of the House, said a former Prime Minister was "sent to jail" by Parliament for obstruction created in the discharge of duties of the PAC.

Pointing out that whatever was available on the CVC report in the second affidavit was "in the public domain", the Defence Minister said, "When the Supreme Court gave a direction to the Defence Ministry, we submitted the factual part."