Govt to table Phukan report in Parliament

The Phukan Commn report on the Tehelka expose would be tabled in the current session of Parliament, Law Minister told the RS.

The Phukan Commission report on the Tehelka expose would be tabled in the current session of Parliament, Law Minister HR Bhardwaj assured the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

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The minister's assurance followed a directive from Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who quoted rules to say that any inquiry commission report would have to be tabled within six months of its submission.

The report was submitted to the Government in February 2004 and the Chairman wanted a clear assurance from the Government in this regard after a demand from Opposition members during Zero Hour.

The Government pleaded that there was a legal controversy and, hence, was seeking Law Commission's opinion on the matter, Law Minister HR Bhardwaj said, but the Chairman emphasised that the rules were clear on the matter and that the Government should abide by them.

Bhardwaj then said the report still lying in sealed cover would now be examined expeditiously and tabled during the current session. "We are not running away."

The issue came up when Leader of the Opposition Jaswant Singh took the Kargil defence purchase issue and said it would only be appropriate that the Government table the Phukan Commission as also the CVC report to facilitate a full-fledged discussion.