PM: JPC to Investigate 2G Scam
Tue, 02/22/2011 - 09:24 — Debolena Bose
Legal News India: Conceding to the opposition’s demand, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced the government’s decision to form a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe into the 2G spectrum scam. The PM made the proclamation in the Lok Sabha when it met for its first working day, saying that India could ‘ill afford’ disruption during the Budget session of the Parliament. Singh, further said, “We could not succeed in spite of our sincere efforts” to dissuade the Opposition parties from demanding on a JPC probe.
The PM requested Speaker Meira Kumar to continue the process of establishing the JPC. BJP and Samajwadi Party welcomed Singh’s announcements and said they would do their best to ensure that the Parliament functions smoothly.
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Text of PM, Dr. Manmohan Singh
PM's statement in the Lok Sabha
February 22, 2011
New Delhi
Madam Speaker,
On account of the controversy relating to the allocation of 2G spectrum, the precious Winter Session of Parliament was lost. Our country can ill-afford a situation where Parliament is paralyzed and important legislative business is not allowed to be considered. In paralyzing Parliament, I believe, we all do disservice to those who have elected us.
Our Government is committed to root out corruption and has acted expeditiously and transparently in this direction. A CBI investigation into the allocation of 2G spectrum is being supervised by the Supreme Court. Also, the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament is seized of the matter and the Government is fully cooperating with it. We also have the report of the Independent Inquiry Committee set up under the Chairmanship of Justice Shivraj Patil, which is in the public domain. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has also acted with expedition.
Our Government believed that as all effective steps were being taken, we might have been able to persuade the Opposition not to insist on a JPC. We could not succeed inspite of our sincere efforts. We can ill-afford a situation where Parliament is not allowed to function during the crucial Budget Session. It is in these special circumstances that our Government agrees to the setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee.
We are a functioning democracy and must strive to resolve our differences in a spirit of accommodation and collaboration not confrontation. This, I hope, will renew our confidence in India's forward march. I am, therefore, requesting the Honourable Speaker to proceed with the formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee. A formal motion in this regard will be moved soon.
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