"There are several myths about the CBI, ranging from the celebrated epithet 'caged bird' to the abusive nomenclature 'Congress Bureau of Investigation'. None of the descriptions is correct or even well meaning," said Chidambaram.
"Some myths are carefully fostered and propagated in order to serve an immediate or narrow self-interest."
"In lighter vain, I may say that sometimes the CBI itself pretends to be a helpless victim when it pleads for powers and greater autonomy," he said.
Lauding the work of CBI, Chidambaram said: "In my view, the CBI is as good an investigation organisation as any other in the world. We are proud of the achievements of the CBI."
In May this year, the Supreme Court termed the CBI a "caged parrot" that "speaks in its master's voice" in a case related to the irregularities in the coal block allocation.
Chidambaram said the CBI has the power to investigate a number of offences that pertain to what can be broadly described as the financial sector.
The finance minister listed the economic offences as being cases involving interest of the central government and public sector units, breaches of import and export control orders and serious cases of fraud, cheating and embezzlement relating to public joint stock companies.
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