JPC to probe telecom policy from 1998-2009

The Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the 2G spectrum issue will look into the allocation and pricing of telecom licences and spectrum from 1998 to 2009.

Its terms of reference are -

1) To examine policy prescriptions and their interpretation thereafter by successive governments, including decisions of the Union Cabinet and the consequences thereof, in the allocation and pricing of telecom licences and spectrum from 1998 to 2009.

2) To examine irregularities and aberrations, if any, and the consequences thereof in the implementation of government decisions and policy prescriptions from 1998-2009, and

3) To make recommendations to ensure formulation of appropriate procedures for implementation of laid down policy in the allocation and pricing of telecom licences.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee moved the motion in the Lok Sabha today for appointment of the 30-member Committee, which will give its report by the end of the Monsoon session of Parliament.

Constitution of the JPC, with 20 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha, formally ends the deadlock over the issue which had washed out the entire Winter session of Parliament.

The period of 1998-2009 being covered by the JPC is significant given the fact that the BJP-led NDA was in power at the Centre from 1998 to May 2004 and since then the Congress-led UPA is at the helm