PAC questions CBI credibility

A day after CBI chief Ranjit Sinha was questioned by the JPC over the alleged telephonic conversation between the agency’s ex-prosecutor A.K. Singh and Unitech managing director Sanjay Chandra, an accused in the 2G spectrum scam, relating to legal strategy of the case, another parliamentary committee raised questions about the agency’s credibility and its probe into the case in the wake of the alleged collusion between Mr Singh and Mr Chandra. Mr Sinha on Wednesday appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to answer member queries over alleged irregularities in the Commonwealth Games preparations and coal blocks allocation. The CBI chief, it was learnt, told the panel that the agency is still waiting for the government to send files on 35 coal blocks. Sources disclosed the CBI said that the government was not prompt in sending all files to the investigating agency which is causing delay in its investigation. The PAC was told that files relating to 35 coal blocks amount to nearly 40 per cent of the total coal blocks allocated, which are under scrutiny.

*** Will MoD put deal on hold Age Correspondent New Delhi, Feb. 13

The MoD did not confirm reports late on Wednesday that the controversial VVIP helicopter deal had been put on hold. Further payment of '2,400 crores has also reportedly been put on hold. A meeting of the MoD’s Defence Acquisition Council on Wednesday is understood to have discussed the deal. MoD sources had indicated earlier on Wednesday that the MoD would wait for the results of the CBI probe before taking a decision on the deal and delivery schedule of the remaining helicopters.