PM: Ready to explore ways to end deadlock
Faced with the prospect of the forthcoming Budget Session of Parliament not having a smooth run in view of the Opposition’s demand for a joint parliamentary probe (JPC) into the 2G spectrum scam allocation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday that the government is willing to explore various approaches to end the Parliament deadlock.
Speaking to reporters at Rashtrapati Bhavan soon after the swearing-in of ministers following Wednesday’s Cabinet reshuffle, the PM said, “As far as the JPC is concerned, our government is ready for all possible approaches.” His remark should spell hope for the crucial Budget Session which is just weeks away and which the government cannot afford to see being washed out as was the case with the Winter Session.
The continuing stalemate over the Opposition’s demand for a JPC into the 2G spectrum allocation and the government’s refusal to give into the demand saw the Winter Session being adjourned day after day over a period of three weeks.
But on Wednesday, the PM sounded a note of optimism as far as the Budget Session is concerned. “We want Parliament to function and all problems can be debated in Parliament. We are not afraid of any subject being brought up for discussion. Parliament is the forum for discussion,” he said.
As for the frequent demand put forth by BJP leader L.K. Advani as well as his party, that efforts be made to ensure that all the black money abroad should be brought back and those who have stashed it away punished, the PM said, “There is no instant solution to bring back what is called black money. We have got some information and that has been provided to us for use in the collection of due taxes.” Asked about the SC’s observations taking the government to task for witholding information on blackmoney in foreign banks abroad and describing it as a “mind boggling crime”, the PM said he was not aware of the SC’s remarks.
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