PAC open to calling Raja as witness

Non-Congress parties in the JPC on the 2G spectrum issue may be unhappy that prime accused and former Telecom Minister A Raja was not summoned despite his willingness to depose but the Public Accounts Committee is still open to the proposal to hear him.
Well placed sources today said Parliament's PAC, headed by Murli Manohar Joshi, has not yet closed the option of calling Raja to hear his views on the Rs 1.76 Lakh crore 2G spectrum scam.
"Though there is no such proposal to call Raja as of now, he can always be called if the panel so desires," a senior leader said.

He said PAC's draft report on the 2G scam is still part of the "unfinished agenda" of the Committee and fresh summons can be issued as the document is yet to be finalised before it is tabled in Parliament.
Raja had recently written a letter to the JPC, headed by P C Chacko, claiming he had taken all decisions pertaining to the allocation of 2G spectrum in consultation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P Chidambaram.
He had also expressed his willingness to appear before the JPC and give his side of the story. However, Chacko ruled this out despite Opposition pressure to call Raja. Chacko reasoned that a written deposition by Raja is as good as a personal appearance.

This had further led to BJP member of JPC Yashwant Sinha writing to the Prime Minister to appear before the panel. He even suggested that if Raja, who was stripped of his portfolio and had to spend time in jail, is guilty, then the PM too is guilty.