Oppn demands JPC probe into 2G scam; Govt rejects | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Oppn demands JPC probe into 2G scam; Govt rejects

Agencies | By, New Delhi
Nov 15, 2010 05:16 PM IST

Even as the Opposition insisted on a joint parliamentary committee probe into alleged irregularities in allocation of 2G spectrum, Government today dismissed the demand as "meaningless" and said they should allow Parliament to function. Hanging up on Raja | What's 2G scam | On a lighter note

With the opposition insisting on a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into alleged irregularities in allocation of 2G spectrum, Government on Monday dismissed the demand as "meaningless" and said they should allow Parliament to function.

HT Image
HT Image

"Demand for JPC is completely meaningless. Let BJP allow the House to run," Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters here minutes after a united opposition forced adjournment of Question Hour in both Houses of Parliament demanding a JPC probe into the spectrum issue.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Under attack from opposition, telecom minister A Raja resigned from the government late last night in connection with the issue.

Chidambaram said the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) will be referred to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, which has representation of all parties.

"The CAG report will go to the PAC. What is PAC? It is chaired by the Leader of Opposition. In fact, all political parties are represented in that," Chidambaram said.

"Let PAC go into the matter. The CAG report will be discussed comprehensively in the PAC," he said.

As soon as the House met, BJP members stormed the well raising slogans 'We want JPC'. They were joined by Shiv Sena and AIADMK members. Left parties and Samajwadi Party members were also on their feet at their respective seats.

The Opposition onslaught was countered by members of the Treasury benches who raised slogans 'We want Question Hour' and waving the List of Business for the day.

In the melee, Speaker Meira Kumar called for the Question Hour asking K C Venugopal (Cong) to put his query. Minister of State for Rural Development Pradeep Jain answered the question but but hardly anything could be heard in the din.

As the Speaker went ahead with the Question Hour, the sloganeering from the Opposition grew shrill prompting the Chair to adjourn the proceedings till noon.

Similar scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha where BJP and AIADMK stalled proceedings demanding a JPC to look into the alleged irregularities in the 2G spectrum allocation.

As soon as the House met for the day, BJP and AIADMK members stormed into the well shouting slogans demanding a JPC probe.

Chairman Hamid Ansari called for the first listed question of the day but members were unrelenting.

The opposition slogan shouting was countered by ruling Congress benches demanding resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa over alleged illegal mining in the state.

"This is not correct," Ansari said asking members to go back to their places. But the members kept shouting "We want JPC" at the top of their voice. "No slogan shouting in the House," Ansari said as he tried to restore order. "Every rule is being violated by the honorable members," he said before adjourning the House till 1200 hours.

Meanwhile, Raja's resignation talks of his possible successor are doing the rounds. The DMK is hoping to keep the telecom portfolio with them.

DMK chief's daughter and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi, minister of state for finance S S Palanimanickam and Dalit MP AKS Vijayan are some of the names doing the rounds.

Some DMK members have suggested Dayanidhi Maran's name too. As of now, the Prime Minister has been holding the portfolio of the Telecom Ministry.

However, according to some media reports, DMK may not get back the Telecom portfolio. Media reports quoting sources said that DMK's ministerial berth, vacated by Raja, was likely to be kept vacant for the present.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On