Demand for another JPC irrational, says Pranab

Blames Opposition for disrupting every session of Parliament.

The government has decided to remain firm on its stand against a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into irregularities in the 2G spectrum allocation and the Commonwealth Games (CWG) and Adarsh Housing Society scams.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today categorically rejected the Opposition’s demand for JPCs on the three issues, stating “the demands are irrational”.

“So far as the demand for a JPC is concerned, there is already a permanent JPC in the form of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which is chaired by a member belonging to the Opposition. Therefore, let the CAG report on the 2G auction be considered by PAC, according to the practice and the constitutional scheme. And thereafter, if further action is called for, it will be taken,” Mukherjee said.

Reiterating that the government was open to a debate in Parliament before PAC began its evaluation of the CAG report, he said, “Even we offered that if they want to have a discussion before it is being considered by the PAC, let there be a discussion on the floor of the House. Let them say whatever they want to say, and we can say whatever we have to say from the government.”

Also, maintaining the line on irregularities in CWG, Mukherjee said the government had already taken a number of initiatives and ruled out a JPC probe.

“We have already initiated the investigation. As soon as the Games were over, the prime minister appointed an inquiry committee under former comptroller and auditor general VK Shunglu. The department of income tax, the directorate of enforcement and CBI are already in the process of investigating. What more they want I do not know. I don’t know what more will be done by a JPC,” he said.

Labelling the Adarsh Housing Cooperative issue as “totally a state subject”, he said Parliament has nothing to do with a housing society functioning under state laws.

“The subjects earmarked for the states will be debated in the assembly. Subjects earmarked in the Constitution for the central government will be discussed in Parliament. Where is the scope for discussing the functioning or alleged corruption of a housing society on the floor of Parliament? Therefore, the demands are irrational,” he said.

But with proceedings in Parliament having been disrupted for over two weeks because of the Opposition’s demands, Mukherjee did little to hide his dismay over the stalemate. “The deadlock is very unfortunate. During the 14th and 15th Lok Sabhas, there hasn’t been a single session where disruptions have not taken place. Parliament is meant for debate and discussion. Parliament is not meant for disruption,” he said.