PM to make statement on JPC in Parliament
By ANITuesday, February 22, 2011
NEW DELHI - The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh will make a statement on the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the 2G spectrum scam in Parliament today.
Dr. Singh is likely to make the statement in the Lok Sabha soon after the introduction of new ministers in his Cabinet.
On Sunday, at an all-party meeting called by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, the government conveyed to the Opposition that it would move a resolution for Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in the House on February 22, which will be followed by a discussion on the floor of the House.
Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal will move a motion to this effect in Parliament on February 22 and the Speaker is expected to decide on the terms of reference of the JPC.
The motion on the JPC would then be referred to the Rajya Sabha for its concurrence.
During the Winter Session, the government’s no to a JPC inquiry into the 2G scam led to a complete paralysis of Parliament with less than ten hours of business being conducted.
Former Telecom Minister A Raja, his personal secretary RK Chandolia, former telecom secretary Siddharth Behuria and managing director of DB Realty Shahid Balwa have been so far arrested in 2G scam over their alleged roles
Raja was forced to resign from the Union Cabinet last year after the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) faulted him for undervaluing spectrum to favour companies who were largely ineligible for 2G spectrum, and added that the government had probably lost Rs.1.76 lakh crore in estimated revenue. (ANI)
