Lok Sabha extends JPC term till end of next session of Parliament

The term of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) that is looking into various aspects of the 2G spectrum scam, has been extended till the end of the next session of Parliament to enable it to submit its report.

The resolution, which was moved by JPC chairman P.C. Chacko, and was approved by a voice vote in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

The JPC was constituted on March 4, 2012 with 20 members from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha following a demand by the opposition parties for setting up a committee to examine the irregularities in the allocations of 2G spectrum.

Former Telecom Minister A. Raja, who has been accused of indulging in a scam worth Rs. 1.76 lakh crore when in office, has so far reiterated that he did everything in consultation with the Prime Minister, and said that he will prove his innocence in the 2G spectrum scam case.

Raja has repeatedly said that the Prime Minister and Finance Minister were in the loop over policy decisions related to 2G spectrum allocation.

Raja was forced to resign from the Union Cabinet after the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) faulted him for undervaluing spectrum to favour companies who were largely ineligible for 2G spectrum, and added that the government had probably lost Rs. 1.76 lakh crore in estimated revenue.