"The nation needs to know how Rs 2,645 crore of loss (in 2G spectrum allocation) turned a presumptive loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore.
"It can happen only if the Comptroller and Auditor General is prepared to debate the entire 2G report on open public platform of own choosing," Tewari said quoting figures of former CAG official R P Singh.
Questioning the "mythical" loss figure of Rs 1.76 lakh crore, the Information and Broadcasting minister said "the CAG needs to answer to people as India's story has been impacted by such discourse within the public domain during the last two years."
"Let there be a public debate. Let CAG come and answer because these mythical and sensational figures have derailed India's story in last two years. The 2G report has made public discourse extremely vitiated," Tewari said.
Noting that public has the right to know the truth, he claimed the former CAG official in his draft report had written that the loss on 2G spectrum allocation because of first come first serve basis was only Rs 2,645 crore.
"Since in principle, it was decided that the spectrum allocation was not to be auctioned the loss estimation was not possible," the Congress' Lok Sabha MP from Ludhiana said.
"Now the question arises, how Rs 2,645 crore loss ballooned to Rs 1.76 lakh crore," he asked.
Tewari accused the PAC chairman (Murli Manohar Joshi) of forcing the CAG to come out with the figures which have been questioned by the former official who was also asked to "sign" on the report even though he did not agree with the figure.