CPI Lok Sabha MP and member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the 2G Spectrum allocation issue, Gurudas Das Gupta, has alleged that the Committee Chairman P.C. Chacko had failed to take note or give opportunity to the members to analyse fresh evidences that were available.
Talking to The Hindu here on Thursday, he supported the letter written by DMK MP and former Communication Minister A. Raja to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Wednesday requesting her to direct the JPC to resubmit the report after including his (Mr. Raja) written statement as he was denied an opportunity to give his evidence before the Committee. Though Mr. Raja was an accused in the 2G Spectrum scam, his opinion and views must have been part of the JPC’s report, Mr. Dasgupta said, adding that he too would be writing a letter to the Speaker on the subject.
DMK parliamentary party leader T.R. Baalu has already alleged in his dissent note that his party colleague Mr. Raja was not given proper opportunity by the JPC to depose and “facts have been chosen selectively and conveniently to reach a preconceived conclusion…the entire attempt appears to find a convenient scapegoat, rather than openly and fairly address the factual and legal position.”
Meanwhile, informed sources said as per the parliamentary rules and procedures the presiding officers of both Houses have no power to amend the report or give direction to the JPC to include material in the report. Normally reports of the parliamentary committees are given to the presiding officers when the Houses are not in session and they (Speaker or RS Chairman) can only order for publication of the reports and tabling them in the Houses when they are convened.
The second volume of the JPC report, consisting of annexures that included details of the minutes of every meeting of the Committee, has been kept in the parliamentary library for the elected members to go through.
