UPA misleading Parliament, says Fernandes

Former Defence Minister George Fernandes charges the UPA government with "deliberately misleading" Parliament on the Phukan Commission report.

Former Defence Minister George Fernandes on Friday charged the UPA government with "deliberately misleading" Parliament on the Phukan Commission report which probed the Tehelka expose on fictitious defence deals.

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Fernandes moved an application under the Right to Information Act to seek information on the report, a statement issued on his behalf said here.

"A reply from the Defence Ministry, while rejecting his application, gave the reason that since this matter was not placed before Parliament, it would amount to breach of privilege if made available to him," the statement said.

"This confirmed the shocking fact that the government has deliberately misled the House on the volume, nature and contents of the Phukan Commission report," it claimed.

The statement said Fernandes would take up the issue with other parties "since he feels that allowing the UPA to get away with such breach of privilege will pave the way for further such deceptions."

The Justice SN Phukan Commission probed allegations of corruption in the wake of the controversy generated by the Tehelka tapes in March 2001. The expose led to the resignation of Fernandes.