Divisions again witnessed in PAC over continuance of 2G probe

Divisions within the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over the probe into the 2G spectrum scam came to fore again today with members from the ruling UPA and Opposition parties airing their differences over examining more people and preparation of a report on the matter.

The divisions on several issues were seen when the PAC, headed by senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi met here.

Congress and DMK members questioned the continuance of the PAC inquiry into the spectrum scam when the matter was under the scrutiny of the Supreme Court besides the JPC and CBI, sources said.

On the other hand, members belonging to the Opposition side felt there was a need to examine more people in connection with the scam, the sources said.

The UPA members opposed this saying, there was no time left to such an exercise as the Committee's term ends by April 30, the sources said. There were differences on submitting a report on the scam by the end of this month.

The members had raised the similar issues at the last meeting of the PAC on April 14 which led to cancellation of questioning of top officials, including Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrashekar and Principal Secretary to Prime Minister T K A Nair the next day.

The sources said Chandrashekar, Nair and Attorney General Vahanvati, who could not be questioned by the PAC, have been sent detailed questionarries.

"Their replies will be incorporated in the report. A more detailed questionnaire was sent to the Attorney General," the sources said.

The 22-member Committee has seven representatives from the Congress, four from BJP, two each from AIADMK and DMK, and one each from Shiv Sena, BJD, JD(U), SP, BSP and CPI(M). One seat is vacant.