Black money: Declassification call after Veerappa Moily vets reports
, ET Bureau|
Oct 16, 2017, 12.41 AM IST
NEW DELHI: The members of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance have authorised the chairman to peruse three confidential reports containing crucial information pertaining to quantum of black money held by Indians in the country and abroad, nearly four years after they were submitted.
Former law minister M Veerappa Moily, chairman of the committee, will examine the reports after which a decision will be taken if the reports are to be declassified.
The studies — on black money— commissioned by UPA-II were conducted by Delhi-based National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, National Council of Applied Economic Research and National Institute of Finance Management, Faridabad.
At present, there is no official assessment of the quantum of black money in India and abroad. “After repeated insistence by the committee, the finance ministry had last month submitted the reports in the Parliament. However, the ministry had observed that the reports may be kept classified,” said a member of the committee privy to the development.
Since the reports “remain top secret”, there was a question whether it should be shared with the members of the committee. “After deliberations the committee authorised the chairman to peruse the reports and decide as to whether they be declassified or not,” the member of the committee told ET.
The committee comprises 31 parliamentarians, with 17 from the ruling NDA. The committee also includes former PM Manmohan Singh.
The reports were received by the government on December 30, 2013; July 18, 2014; and August 21, 2014.
Former law minister M Veerappa Moily, chairman of the committee, will examine the reports after which a decision will be taken if the reports are to be declassified.
The studies — on black money— commissioned by UPA-II were conducted by Delhi-based National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, National Council of Applied Economic Research and National Institute of Finance Management, Faridabad.
At present, there is no official assessment of the quantum of black money in India and abroad. “After repeated insistence by the committee, the finance ministry had last month submitted the reports in the Parliament. However, the ministry had observed that the reports may be kept classified,” said a member of the committee privy to the development.
Since the reports “remain top secret”, there was a question whether it should be shared with the members of the committee. “After deliberations the committee authorised the chairman to peruse the reports and decide as to whether they be declassified or not,” the member of the committee told ET.
The committee comprises 31 parliamentarians, with 17 from the ruling NDA. The committee also includes former PM Manmohan Singh.
The reports were received by the government on December 30, 2013; July 18, 2014; and August 21, 2014.
