Govt may agree to JPC probe in 2G scam: Bansal

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal today hinted that the government may reach an agreement with the Opposition on formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the 2G Spectrum scam.

"We have worked out something...But we can't say anything right now," Bansal told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

He said to "some extent" the government was ready for JPC.

"But we want the Opposition to cooperate with the government and ensure that Parliament functions," he said ahead of the Budget session, which begins Monday.

Bansal was here to attend the diamond jubilee celebration of Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI).

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had yesterday given the clearest signal that the government was ready for a JPC probe in the 2G scam, when he said that he was not afraid of appearing before the panel.

"Full efforts are being undertaken to see that some way will be found (to ensure that Parliament functions). I hope it will happen," Singh had said when he was asked by television editors at an interaction whether the government would agree to the JPC.

The winter session of Parliament was a washout with the Opposition unrelenting in its demand for a JPC to probe the 2G scam and alleged bungling in Commonwealth Games projects and Adarsh housing society.