New Delhi: The joint parliamentary committee (JPC) draft report absolving Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of any wrongdoing in the 2G scam kicked off a political row, with the opposition on Friday slamming the report as a cover-up and former telecom minister A Raja asserting that Singh was kept in the loop at every step.
Raja, a key accused in the case, challenged the JPC draft report’s conclusion that he had “misled” the PM on the allocation of telecom licences that were struck down by the Supreme Court. “I had done everything in consultation with the prime minister. After demitting office, I told everyone that whatever I did was in consultation with the PM,”
Raja said as the JPC draft set off shockwaves.
DMK chief M Karunanidhi added to the opposition’s criticism, sardonically saying, “How can one believe that a minister misled the prime minister?”
Stung Opposition hits out at JPC report leak
New Delhi: The JPC's draft report on the 2G scam has raised the opposition's hackles. The stage is now set for a tumultuous meeting of the JPC on April 25 when the draft will be discussed. The committee is evenly split between the UPA, its outside supporters and the opposition, with the DMK being the latest recruit. But given the heat the report is generating, it remains to be seen whether a vote will actually take place as the draft is likely to be vigorously attacked by the opposition while Congress members defend its findings.
Angry BJP leaders, stung by the draft blaming the A B Vajpayee government for “forgoing” revenue of Rs 42,080 crore by allowing the migration of telecom players from fixed fees to revenue sharing, said the Congress was subverting the truth. While BJP chief Rajnath Singh called the report a cover-up, opposition leader in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said Raja’s correspondence with the PM and finance minister P Chidambaram made it clear that they were well aware of the 2G policy implementation.
BJP and Left leaders sharply criticized Congress MP P C Chacko, who heads the JPC, for the leak of the draft which, they said, had reached the media before members of the committee. “The draft report looks like a Congress document and not a JPC report in which there is an overpowering desire to save its leaders, including the PM and the finance minister,” Prasad said.
Mr. Yechury said, “This is most unfortunate that even before members of the JPC like me got the report, its specifics were out in the newspapers this morning...We will take it up as it is a breach of privilege of Parliament.” He wondered why Raja had not been allowed to appear before the committee. “He is the main accused. It is surprising that despite his request, he was not called. The country would like to know why a minister, who was even jailed in the case, was not called despite his request,” Rajnath said.
COURTESY:
TIMES NEWS NETWORKhttp://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2013/04/20&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00304&ViewMode=HTML
Raja, a key accused in the case, challenged the JPC draft report’s conclusion that he had “misled” the PM on the allocation of telecom licences that were struck down by the Supreme Court. “I had done everything in consultation with the prime minister. After demitting office, I told everyone that whatever I did was in consultation with the PM,”
Raja said as the JPC draft set off shockwaves.
DMK chief M Karunanidhi added to the opposition’s criticism, sardonically saying, “How can one believe that a minister misled the prime minister?”
Stung Opposition hits out at JPC report leak
New Delhi: The JPC's draft report on the 2G scam has raised the opposition's hackles. The stage is now set for a tumultuous meeting of the JPC on April 25 when the draft will be discussed. The committee is evenly split between the UPA, its outside supporters and the opposition, with the DMK being the latest recruit. But given the heat the report is generating, it remains to be seen whether a vote will actually take place as the draft is likely to be vigorously attacked by the opposition while Congress members defend its findings.
Angry BJP leaders, stung by the draft blaming the A B Vajpayee government for “forgoing” revenue of Rs 42,080 crore by allowing the migration of telecom players from fixed fees to revenue sharing, said the Congress was subverting the truth. While BJP chief Rajnath Singh called the report a cover-up, opposition leader in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said Raja’s correspondence with the PM and finance minister P Chidambaram made it clear that they were well aware of the 2G policy implementation.
BJP and Left leaders sharply criticized Congress MP P C Chacko, who heads the JPC, for the leak of the draft which, they said, had reached the media before members of the committee. “The draft report looks like a Congress document and not a JPC report in which there is an overpowering desire to save its leaders, including the PM and the finance minister,” Prasad said.
Mr. Yechury said, “This is most unfortunate that even before members of the JPC like me got the report, its specifics were out in the newspapers this morning...We will take it up as it is a breach of privilege of Parliament.” He wondered why Raja had not been allowed to appear before the committee. “He is the main accused. It is surprising that despite his request, he was not called. The country would like to know why a minister, who was even jailed in the case, was not called despite his request,” Rajnath said.
COURTESY:
TIMES NEWS NETWORKhttp://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2013/04/20&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00304&ViewMode=HTML
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