Joshi convenes ‘internal’ meet on 2G probe
With the term of current Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament coming to an end and majority of its members opposed to looking further into the 2G spectrum allocation scam, its chief and senior BJP leader M. M. Joshi is now left with two options, either to submit a report before April 30 or to seek extension of the probe.
Meanwhile, the PAC has received over 2,000 pages (26 volumes) from the PMO with regard to the 2G spectrum allocation. According to the sources, PAC chairman Dr Joshi has already sent these papers to each member of the PAC.
Sources said committee members have asked Dr Joshi to take a final call on the contentious issues of submission of report as well as whether to continue looking into 2G spectrum issue. Sources disclosed members of the ruling coalition, who objected to the submission of the report, are ready to submit with their dissenting notes if Dr Joshi chooses to submit a report. These members had been questioning as why PAC should look into the 2G spectrum issue when a Joint Parliamentary Committee (PAC) has already been constituted to probe the matter. On Thursday, Dr Joshi convened an “internal” meeting of the committee and heard the views of members. The matter of whether a report should be submitted or not, also came up for discussion, sources said. Last week, the PAC meeting had witnessed heated arguments between members of the ruling coalition and opposition party on the issue.
Congress and DMK MPs had prevented questioning of Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati and CBI chief A.P. Singh after the committee summoned them. The summons to Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrashekar and Prime Minister’s principal secretary T.K.A. Nair were also cancelled after the arguments between members.
Sources disclosed the committee had send questionnaires to them which have been replied. While Mr Vahanvati is said to have sent a “comprehensive” reply, clarifications may be sought from Mr Chandrashekar and Mr Nair on some aspects of their reply, said sources. While the Opposition members want the PAC to submit its report, Congress and DMK members are of the view that since PAC is a permanent body, the report can be submitted after the term of the present committee expires. However, Opposition members wants the report to be submitted before April 30 as they are of the view that when so many sittings and questioning of people have taken place, the PAC must submit the report, sources said.
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