2G spectrum scam: Parliament paralysed for fourth day

The stalemate in Parliament over the Opposition demand for a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum allocation scam paralysed proceedings in both Houses for the fourth day today.

Amid uproar, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day at noon after an earlier adjournment during Question Hour, while Rajya Sabha could not function till 2 PM.

The highlight of the brief proceedings was the tabling of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India's report on irregularities in the 2G spectrum allocation, which created a political storm leading to the resignation of Telecom Minister A Raja.
   
The report has pegged the revenue loss to the exchequer at Rs 1.76 lakh crore due to non-auctioning of the spectrum in 2008. Raja, who is a member of the Lok Sabha, was not present in the House.
   
The 77-page report was tabled in the Lower House by Minister of State for Finance S S Palanimanickam, who belongs to Raja's party DMK, and in the Upper House by his ministerial colleague Namo Narayan Meena.
   
The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day, ahead of a luncheon meeting of leaders of political parties, convened by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to thrash out a solution to the impasse in Parliament.
   
The government has rejected as "meaningless" the demand to set up of a JPC.
   
Earlier, Opposition members in both Houses stormed the well soon after they assembled for the day, raising slogans 'We want JPC'.
   
The Congress members sought to counter the Opposition by waving newspapers carrying reports of Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's alleged involvement in allocation of land to his sons.
   
BJP members, who stormed the well, were joined by those from Shiv Sena, AIADMK, Samajwadi Party and RJD.