Against the backdrop of unease in the BJP over pursuance of 2G spectrum allocation probe by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee(PAC), its chairman and senior BJP leader M.M. Joshi on Thursday associated himself with his party’s demand for JPC into the issue of corruption during UPA-II, saying he was “fully committed” to it. But Dr Joshi made it clear that the PAC also has “vast powers” in bringing greater accountability in public spending.
After his meeting with BJP chief Nitin Gadkari on Thursday, Dr Joshi issued a statement clarifying his stand, as a BJP leader, on the JPC issue. He said he was “fully committed” to the JPC demand to probe into the broader questions related to corruption.
At the same time, he said, “As the chairman of the PAC, I believe in the committee’s vast powers in bringing greater accountability to public spending. I commit myself to playing this role effectively.”
Sources said Mr Gadkari conveyed party’s concerns to Dr Joshi that there is a perception within the party that he was toeing a line different from the party which is demanding JPC into 2G spectrum allocation scam. Dr Joshi clarified that there was no contradiction between his view and that of BJP on the issue.
Contending that the “issues of corruption during UPA-II” are of “great concern for the people of India”, Dr Joshi said the PAC which he heads would look into the matters of public spending based on the CAG reports.
“The PAC has a constitutional jurisdiction and its function is well laid out. It shall function within its purview and within the rules and procedure of the Parliament. It shall make sure that every paisa of public money is well accounted for,” he said.
He noted that the PAC does not deal just with the telecom ministry but analyses every report of the CAG dealing with the various ministries.
The Congress, however, was dismissive of Dr Joshi’s statement. Party spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said “Joshi has said nothing new. As a member of the BJP, he has on earlier occasions asked for the formation of the JPC. He is examining the CAG report as head of a Parliamentary Committee.” He was asked whether Dr Joshi’s statement has come as a ‘disappointment’ to the party which was seeing a wedge between Joshi and the Opposition party.