Govt denies reports of early end to Parliament session

The UPA government is not willing to bring the curtain down on the winter session of Parliament, even as the logjam over the Opposition’s demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the 2G spectrum scam continues.

Parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal denied reports suggesting an early end to the ongoing winter session, which has not been able to transact business for even a single day so far. He said the government wanted to run both the Houses till December 13, according to the original plan.

“The government will make efforts till December 13 to ensure that the House runs,” Bansal said after Parliament was adjourned for the day.

As an indication of the UPA’s resolve to run the Houses, the government has so far not pressed for the passage of the Supplementary Demand for Grants. Government managers are still expecting to reach a compromise with an adamant Opposition and then pass the financial agenda.

Even as back-channel talks between UPA managers and various Opposition parties continued today, Bansal ruled out the Opposition’s demand for a JPC. “I have told the Opposition that if your objective is to summon the PM and ministers (through a JPC), that is not acceptable. If you have the courage and conviction, come and discuss the issue in the House.”

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Leader of the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee today reiterated their appeal to the Opposition to allow the House to run. Mukherjee also held a meeting with CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury to find out possible ways to break the deadlock. “I have not been able to find a solution. I do not know how to resolve this impasse. We are trying. Let us see,” Mukherjee told reporters later.