JPC on 2G to seek more time

A motion will be moved in the Lok Sabha on Monday seeking an extension of term for the Joint Parliamentary Committee looking into 2G spectrum allocation scam till the next budget session.

The JPC's decision to seek extension came as its term ends on the last day of the ongoing monsoon session, said a source here.

"It is a long process. So many people have to be examined. So we have decided to seek the extension," the source said adding, "We will move the motion on Monday seeking an extension till next budget session."

JPC Chairman P C Chacko had said last week that the committee members have decided to request Speaker Meira Kumar to extend the term of the panel till the end of the budget session.

The committee has so far only heard officials of Enforcement Directorate, CBI and some former Telecom Secretaries. It is yet to hear other former Telecom Secretaries, former Chairmen of Trai, former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee and former Telecom Ministers.

The JPC, consisting of 20 members from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha, was constituted to examine matters relating to allocation and pricing of telecom licences and spectrum between 1998 and 2009 on 4 March, 2011.