Chidambaram Denies Phone Tap, PM to Make Statement in LS
Union Home Minster P Chidambaram has denied charge leveled by the Opposition that the UPA government authorized the phone tapping of some senior politicians even as Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced that PM Manmohan Singh will make a statement on the issue, said media reports.
“I wish to state categorically that phone tapping or eavesdropping on political leaders was not authorised by the previous UPA government nor has the present government authorised any such activity. We will look into the allegations of the story of Outlook…nothing has been found in the records of NTRO (National Technical Research Organisation) to substantiate the allegations,” Chidambaram was quoted as saying while making a short statement in the Lok Sabha.
The minister said that the report which appeared in ‘Outlook’ magazine was thoroughly examined and nothing found and that further inquiries were being made, reports said.
“Nothing has been found in the records of the NTRO or elsewhere to substantiate the allegations,” Chidambaram was quoted as saying.
The Home Minister also said: “Our intelligence agencies function within the law…they are fully accountable to the government…Such monitoring may be necessary to fight crime, ensure national security, or for our counter terrorism efforts. This is subject to multiple tests and oversight.”
In the meanwhile, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will would make a statement on the issue of phone tapping this afternoon, said reports.
Mukherjee explained the PM would be available only after a meeting with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai.
However, a united Opposition forced the adjournment of the House.
(Based on internet reports)
