Sixty retired bureaucrats have written to the CAG expressing concern over audit reports on demonetisation and the Rafale deal being “deliberately” delayed to not “embarrass” the NDA government till next year’s general elections. In the letter, they said there was concern over the “unconscionable” and “unwarranted delay” in bringing out the audit reports , which should be tabled before the Parliament in the Winter Session.

The CAG’s failure to present the reports in time “may be seen as a partisan action” and could create a “crisis of credibility” for the institution, the letter said.

There was no immediate reaction from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

Seeks note ban details

Quoting media reports on demonetisation, they said the then CAG had stated the audit would cover the expenditure of printing notes, RBI’s dividend to the Consolidated Fund of India and the data generated by banks. The follow-up action taken by the Income Tax Department in identifying potential tax evaders and pursuing action willbe covered as well.

“It is more than 20 months since the previous CAG made the above statement but there is no sight of the promised audit report on demonetisation,” the letter said.

The signatories to the letter included former IPS officer and ex-DGP of Punjab Julio Riberio, former IAS officer turned social activist Aruna Roy, former Pune police commissioner Meeran Borwankar, and officers from Central and all India services.

‘Delay due to 2019 polls’

They said the CAG’s reports on the 2G, Coal, Adarsh, Commonwealth Games scams had influenced public perception of the then UPA government and invited appreciation. “But an impression is gaining ground that the CAG is deliberately delaying its audit reports on demonetisation and the Rafale deal till after the May 2019 elections so as not to embarrass the present government,” they said.

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