Even as Parliament witnessed no transaction of business for the sixth consecutive day on Friday, The government remained adamant on not allowing a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum allocation but appealed to the Opposition to agree to an investigation by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which is “almost a permanent JPC.”
Asked at a bank function here about the government's response to the Opposition demand for a JPC probe, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee appealed to all political parties to help end the deadlock in Parliament and work out a solution over the issue. “I am deeply concerned about the situation which is being created where Parliament cannot transact its business. Therefore my appeal to all political parties is that please try to find a solution,” he said.
Mr. Mukherjee argued that the government's opposition to a JPC did not mean that the 2G spectrum allocation issue should not be probed. “When I oppose the JPC, or government opposes JPC, it is not that the matter should not be investigated.” It could be examined by the PAC, which was headed by a member of the Opposition and thus “almost a permanent JPC.”
Expressing regret that Parliament remained stalled over the 2G stalemate, Mr. Mukherjee said, “I will appeal to the members of the Opposition that please do not obstruct proceedings of the House. Accept the proposition that the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the 2G will be examined by the PAC. Let them examine it and after that we will see what further course of action is needed.”
