Rap for Attorney General Goolam Vahanvati who okayed unfair plea

NEW DELHI: The decision of Attorney General Goolam Vahanvati to entertain a direct request from telecom ministry to examine a press release relating to letters of intent for spectrum allocation has been criticized by the Public Accounts Committee draft report.

The draft noted that while Vahanvati was of the opinion that it was not correct practice for ministries to refer matters directly to any law officer, it was “intriguing ” that as solicitor general in UPA-I , he chose not to adhere to norms.

“The committee recommends that serious view must be taken in the matter ,” the draft said while noting that advice tendered by law ministry must be taken seriously and reasons must be provided when it is rejected.

The law ministry should issue instructions that all cases seeking advice or opinion of the top law officers must be routed through the law ministry only. “Stringent action must be taken against officials who violate the prescribed procedure ,” the draft said.

The committee found it shocking that contrary to advice of the law ministry, Raja had chosen to make a direct reference to Vahanvati . In his evidence, law secretary D R Meena categorically said requests for legal opinion should be routed through the ministry.