"My testimony will bring out the truth, including the fact that all decisions were taken collectively"
The former Telecom Minister, A. Raja, has written to JPC Chairman P.C. Chacko, expressing surprise at his being prevented from testifying before the Joint Parliamentary Committee investigating the 2G scam. Referring to the allegations that he ignored/disregarded the advice of the Law Minister and the Finance Minister, as also that he misled the Prime Minister, Mr. Raja argues that his testimony will bring out the truth, including the fact “that all decisions were taken collectively…”
Mr. Raja, accused of causing the 2G scam, recently wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar questioning the stance taken by some government officials — especially Attorney-General G.E. Vahanvati — during their depositions, and accusing them of “blame shifting” by delivering false and misleading evidence, even as he requested that he be called before the JPC as a witness.
However, on March 8, the JPC chief, rather than inviting Mr. Raja to the JPC, sought only his written deposition, limited to the AG’s testimony, without so much as providing a copy of Mr. Vahanvati’s deposition. Pointing to this lapse, Mr. Raja has “respectfully” submitted “that the JPC is proceeding without regard to fundamental principles of natural justice.”
Expressing “surprise” at Mr. Chacko’s letter, Mr. Raja says: “It does not address any of the issues I have raised in my letter; indeed, it does not even refer to my letter. Rather it has asked for my written response to only one specific issue, in relation to the statement of the Ld. Attorney General for India.”
Drags in PM, FM
Attacking the CBI for its tardy investigation, Mr. Raja highlights that “There are allegations against me that I ignored/disregarded the advice of the Hon’ble Law Minister and the Ministry of Finance, and also that I misled the Hon’ble Prime Minister, though no statement has been recorded from them to that effect by the CBI or by the JPC.”
Confirming the worst fears of the UPA government and its members on the committee, especially Mr. Chacko, Mr. Raja goes on to express his confidence, “that if given an opportunity to appear before the JPC, I will establish that these allegations were misconceived and all decisions were taken collectively by the Department of Telecom with the express or tacit consent of other senior functionaries of the government.”
Questions JPC intent
Accusing the committee of displaying a predetermined mind, Mr. Raja writes: “It would appear that the JPC has already reached a conclusion on this issue without even hearing my evidence. I would call upon you to proceed with an open mind, in the interest of a fair enquiry and not to reach any premature conclusions.”
Questioning the very intention of the committee, the DMK MP says: “I have to wonder why the JPC is reluctant to hear my deposition on the entire gamut of issues that it is supposed to be looking into.” Reminding Mr. Chacko of the JPC’s mandate, he says, “After all, the purpose of JPC is [to] arrive at the truth of the matter, and my unique position to explain the policy and rationale of the government behind the issuance of UAS licences and grant of spectrum, as well as the sequence of events and the role of various individuals and institutions, cannot be overstated.”
Demanding a copy of Mr. Vahanvati’s deposition, Mr. Raja has reiterated his demand, “to appear before the JPC and tender my evidence in full.” While he understands that the committee “is anxious to complete its deliberations, this cannot be at the cost of sacrificing the truth,” he warned. “The whole point of constituting this JPC would be lost if it concludes its deliberations without hearing my deposition.”
Keywords: 2G spectrum allocation, A. Raja, P.C. Chacko, spectrum allocation case, 2G case
It is crystal clear why the congress is resisting this voluntary submission of Mr. Raja before JPC. Obviously, the role of congress vis-a-vis 2G will become clear. Secondly, they are worried about DMK moving out of aliance as a result. Already, DMK is sending some uncomforting signals on Srilankan Tamil issue and may be, they are sensing a chance to move out of the aliance and preparing the ground through Raja. Above all, Congress does not want any political fallout as a result of this voluntary deposition of Mr Raja especially with the approaching Lok Sabha elections in 2014.
The decision of the JPC for not accepting the request of Raja to depose before it is a correct and wise decision.Raja is not going to tell the truth and he will say something which will become the subject matter of discussion and in the melee 2G scam will not see the light. Neither he nor his party is above mark.
Raja has posed a question and has answered it himself. The JPC,
controlled by the Congress, does not want Raja to testify because that
may set a precedent for calling Dr Singh and Chidamabaram too, besides
bringing into the open what has been kept under wraps.
When the 2G case was beginning to surface, the Prime Minister had stated that he
was ready to appear before any parliamentary committee to depose as he had
nothing to hide. When ultimately JPC was formed, neither he volunteered to appear
before it nor the congress controlled JPC summoned him. Now, Mr Raja who is the
central figure in the entire scam, is wanting to depose before the JPC to reveal the
truth as he says and the parliamentary body unwilling to hear him. This is creating
serious doubts in the minds of the people as there may be many instances of oral
interactions/directions/decisions taken at various "power centers" that might have
led to 2G scam, which Mr Raja can reveal, being the then IT Minister.
What he is going to say before JPC? Where is he keeping all the money?
The JPC shall give a chance to Raja for expressing his views.Why this is
reluctant?Also we do not understand the double trials-one by the SC and
by the JPC?Why the public servant's time is to be wasted twice for the
same work?Can somebody explain on this?
Go for it Raja. The ultimate judges will be the people who trusted you and elected to the Parliament. Go to the media and say what you want to say. The JPC will fall in line. Being a puppet of the Congress, JPC is ham-strung. You going to the media will put the cat amongst the pigeons. Let some feathers fly and truth be told to the nation.
Why is JPC reluctant to hear me? Raja
Because "My testimony will bring out the truth, including the fact that
all decisions were taken collectively"!!!
There are many issues here:
1. What were the procedural lapses and who all were responsible for such lapses including bureaucrats and politicians.
2. What was the loss to the government consequent to the 1 above.
3. Which were the Corporate benefitted out of such lapses and what was the gain in monetary terms accrued to each of them on account of the same.
4. What were the bribery amounts paid to each of the bureaucrats, politicians, middlemen/women and others by each corporate.
5. What was the net benefit in monetary terms accrued to each corporate.
Unless the answers to the above questions come to the public domain clearly, the entire investigation and enquiries would be farce. If Mr. Raja is clear of all of the above points, let him please openly tell the truth in the interest of the nation. Otherwise, the 2G scam is already being pushed under the carpet and the poor helpless citizens of this country have to continue to witness all these ‘Tamasha’ in the years to come.
My guess is that Chairman of JPC senses political motives behind his
move and hence JPC may be unwilling to hear Shri A. Raja . JPC may be
reluctant by is there any rule which prohibits Shri Raja from submitting
his deposition in writing to the JPC? After Shri Raja submits such a
deposition in writing to JPC if it still prefers not to take cognizance
of the deposition, he would be free to seek other options, like making
his deposition public.
The logic here is perplexing. What is it that Mr. Raja wishes to reveal to the JPC that the CBI did not obtain during the investigation? If he still has things to say then it obviously means that the CBI have not been thorough in their questioning, so, if such is the case, then it is only right that he be allowed to state his views to the JPC and let the truth of the scam be established. The refusal of the JPC to grant him an opportunity when he alleges that the CBI have not been impartial gives rise to the doubt that the JPC itself is apprehensive that what he might reveal could be more damaging than it is prepared to face.
THe purpose of JPC chair not appointing Raja seems like they have a lot of cover up do. Raja you are a scapegoat hence you will not be called by this government. No wonder why govt. wanted to appoint JPC for Helicopter scam :-)....
Why not Raja give whatever he wants to say in written to JPC? Should JPC listen to his political speach?!
Why he didn't open his mouth before CBI? Let him tell whatever he wants to before CBI, ED and the courts with no political gimmicks.
Mr.Raja is fully aware now that it is not the JPC which refuses to allow him to depose.It is CHACKO who has decided to be more loyal than the Queen by attempting to scuttle the probe.If Chacko and his BOSS want to be FAIR AND JUST (which they can never afford to be) he should accept Raja's offer to face the JPC in person.But it is obvious that he is not only scared but is fully aware that skeletons will start tumbling out of the Congress Cupboard.What Mr.Raja should do is to make a video of his proposed presentation to the JPC,make copies and send one to each and every member of the JPC and another half a dozen for distribution to the nation's
leading dailies with transcriptions if possible.That will put paid to CHACKO'S attempts to misdirect the probe.That will also likely
reveal the Dramatis Personae of the whole SCAM and SLEAZY DEAL.
Unless the government has skeletons in its closet to hide, why would they not provide an opportunity to the accused to explain his side of the story about all the events and persons involved ?! Such an opportunity is given even to one accused of first degree murder. Why not Raja ?
The way Mr. A. Raja has presented his case for deposition at the JPC probing the 2G scam, he deserves to be given a chance for such a deposition, in the interest of bringing out the complete truth in the matter. Mr. Chacko's evasiveness in the matter is difficult to comprehend.
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