Govt to dig in heels over JPC

With key financial bills being cleared by Parliament despite the two-week-old logjam over the 2G spectrum issue, it’s now left to the government to decide on the next course in the final week of the winter session, beginning Monday.

With key financial bills being cleared by Parliament despite the two-week-old logjam over the 2G spectrum issue, it’s now left to the government to decide on the next course in the final week of the winter session, beginning Monday.

HT Image

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar sent a subtle message to the MPs to end the logjam in Parliament as she gave away awards at a car rally of MPs on Sunday. “Best driver is one who does not cause a jam himself and neither allows any one else to cause a jam. I think this applies to Parliament as well.”

The government hasn’t yet indicated whether any significant legislation should be brought forth before the Houses are adjourned sine die.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday met President Pratibha Patil and briefed her on the ongoing logjam in Parliament and other issues.

The government is expected to defend its position more vigorously in the coming week as the Congress leadership has decided to go on the offensive.

As the session is due to end on December 13, the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attack on Parliament, the government might like to keep it going till then.

Describing the Opposition's demand, as unreasonable, telecom minister Kapil Sibal on Sunday said such a process would not help achieve the objective “sought to be served” and alleged the Opposition’s motive was “pure politics”.

Describing the 2G spectrum allocation as the biggest scam of India, CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said only a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe will bring the truth to light.

Parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the question of accepting the JPC demand does not arise and termed the Opposition demand a “political battle”.