Pranab appeals parties to help end Parliament stalemate

With opposition continuing to stall Parliament, Government today appealed to all parties to help end the stalemate even as it maintained its opposition to setting up of JPC to probe 2G spectrum allocation, saying the matter could be looked into by the Public Accounts Committee.

"I am deeply concerned about the situation which is being created where Parliament cannot transact its business. Therefore my appeal to all political parties is that please try to find a solution," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

"When I oppose JPC, or government opposes JPC, it is not that the matter should not be investigated," the government's trouble-shooter said when asked pointed out that the opposition was adamant on setting up of JPC.

He said the matter could be looked into by the Parliament's Public Accounts Committee, arguing that it was "almost a permanent JPC" which is older than the Constitution and headed by a member from the Opposition.

"I will apeal to the members of the Opposition that please do not obstruct proceedings of the House. Accept the proposition that CAG report on 2G will be examined by the PAC. Let them exmaine it and after that we will see what further course of action is needed," he said on the sidelines of Canara Bank function.

Opposition has been insisting on JPC probe and stalling Parliament for the last six consecutive days to press the demand.