21 MPs likely in JPC; move was ‘reluctant’ one, says PM

Feb 23, 2011 |

Age Correspondent

New Delhi

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told Parliament on Tuesday that his government had “reluctantly” agreed to set up a joint parliamentary committee on the 2G spectrum scam, as demanded by the Opposition, after it completely paralysed the previous session over the issue.

Making the announcement in the Lok Sabha as soon as it met for the first working day of the Budget Session, Dr Singh said: “I am requesting the Speaker to proceed with the formation of a JPC. A formal motion in this regard will be moved soon.”
The Prime Minister, noting that the entire Winter Session was lost with the Opposition paralysing Parliament, said: “We can ill-afford a situation where Parliament is not allowed to function in the crucial Budget Session. It is in these special circumstances that our government agrees to the setting up of a JPC.”
The size of the JPC is not clear. The Opposition wants a 30-member body, but the government appears in favour of a 21-member committee. Government managers are also silent on who will head it, though the name of Congress MP P.C. Chacko is doing the rounds.

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