JPC on 2G sets in motion today

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will set the stage for the resumption of normal business in Parliament by making a statement in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday on the government's intent to set up a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) to look into the 2G spectrum allocation scandal.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will set the stage for the resumption of normal business in Parliament by making a statement in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday on the government's intent to set up a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) to look into the 2G spectrum allocation scandal.

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The budget session is 'very crucial’ the PM said after President Pratibha Patil's address to the two Houses. He hoped the proceedings would be peaceful and productive.

The opposition is keen that the PM makes the announcement before the start of question hour to enable the House to function smoothly.

After the PM's statement, Congress leader PC Chacko — tipped to head the JPC— and Manish Tewari will respectively move the motion. Singh will reply to the debate on February 24, after which the House will take up the JPC issue.

As part of the give-and-take to end the stalemate that had washed out the entire winter session, the Centre will announce the JPC. The opposition, on its part, decided to agree to a four-hour discussion on February 24 after telecom minister Kapil Sibal moves a formal motion to set up the JPC. The motion would then be referred to the Rajya Sabha for its concurrence.

The BJP-led opposition also agreed to a JPC only on the 2G spectrum allocation scam and merely discuss the irregularities in the Commonwealth Games and the Adarsh housing society scandal. Earlier, the BJP-NDA had demanded a JPC on all three issues.

After a meeting to chalk out the NDA's floor strategy, NDA convenor Sharad Yadav said once the announcement of formation of JPC is announced in Parliament "we will allow the House to function smoothly.''