CAG REPORTS DISCLOSURE

I saw a news-item ‘Is CAG ‘leaking’ defence secrets?” I do agree that as per the legal position once the reports are tabled on the floor of the house they come into public domain. The logic being that the CAG reports are discussed by the Parliament.

Equally strong are the arguments of the defense forces which want to safeguard the secrecy of their arsenals due to strategic considerations.

The way out is that a small component of the PAC should examine those aspects of the reports which relate to strategic plans and latest weaponry or things vitally important to be kept out of the knowledge of the enemy countries.

In recent time some overenthusiastic field officers have been violating the ethos of the deptt. by leaking reports to local media for ulterior motives. One such controversy was created at Ranchi about police secret fund and even judiciary was unnecessarily dragged in. Fortunately it steered itself clear of the controversy.