Government says no to JPC probe into 2G spectrum allocation (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI - The government Monday categorically ruled out any parliamentary probe into the controversial 2G spectrum allocation of 2008 despite the opposition’s demand that stalled parliament again.

In separate interactions with the media, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Home Minister P. Chidambaram rejected the demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) inquiry.

The two ministers said a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India will be tabled in parliament soon and the matter will be looked into by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that is headed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Murli Manohar Joshi.

“No question of having a JPC. After being tabled in house, it (CAG report) goes to Public Accounts Committee (PAC). That is constitutional provision and nobody can alter it,” Mukherjee, who is also leader of the Lok Sabha, told reporters outside Parliament House.

An angry Mukherjee said the opposition demand for a JPC were “their pleas to disrupt the house”.

His cabinet colleague Chidambaram also ruled out a JPC probe.

“This demand for JPC is completely meaningless.,” he said, adding the CAG report will be discussed “thoroughly and comprehensively in parliament”.

“The PAC is chaired by the leader of the opposition,” Chidambaram told reporters, adding all political parties were represented in the PAC.

The CAG report alleges that the 2G spectrum scam caused a loss of Rs.1.76 lakh crore to the exchequer and pins the blame of DMK leader A.Raja who was forced to quit as communication and IT minister.

The government has indicated it will table the CAG report in parliament soon. The CAG submitted the document last week and as per the procedure it will go to the presidents office before becoming parliament’s property.

The procedure normally takes 15 days.

The BJP said a PAC probe cannot be equalled to that of a JPC investigation.

“There is a huge difference in the probe by a PAC and a probe by a JPC. JPCs have been formed earlier as well and decisions have been taken based on its recommendations,” BJP member Chandan Mitra said.

The opposition parties have been stalling parliament proceedings since the beginning of the winter session last week on the corruption issue.

Parliament has had only one day of business in the winter session so far. On Tuesday the first days of the session the Lok Sabha functioned normally barring some small protests. Since Wednesday onwards, both houses have been witnessing continuous disruptions amid a relentless campaign by the opposition against Raja and the 2G spectrum licensing issue.