Joshi not allowed to table 2G scam report before new PAC

Mangalore Today / NDTV

New Delhi, June 28:  An attempt by Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Murli Manohar Joshi to make the Committee take up his controversial report on the 2G scam prepared during the tenure of the last committee was today strongly opposed by Congress members. However, the NDA along with DMK and the BSP supported its consideration.

 

In view of the divisions in the PAC, it was decided that Constitutional experts would be consulted on whether the report, which was recently returned by Speaker Meira Kumar, can be considered by it.

Kumar had returned the report to Joshi, who was reappointed as Chairman in May, suggesting that it was an "unfinished work" as it was not supported by the entire PAC, whose term ended on April 30.

During the PAC meeting today, Joshi - a veteran BJP leader - wanted to take up the 2G scam report. At this, Congress member Jayanthi Natarajan intervened to raise a point of order, sources said.

Joshi disallowed Natarajan from raising it but she, along with party colleagues K Sudhakaran, Sanjay Nirupam, Girija Vyas and K S Rao, were of the opinion that the 2G report should not be taken up by the current PAC as the matter was before a Joint Parliamentary Committee, the sources said.

The Congress is also of the view that Mr Joshi should accept the verdict of majority of PAC members.

On the other hand, NDA members wanted circulation of the report for consideration. Interestingly, DMK and BSP members also favoured it, apparently reflecting the current ties with Congress.

BSP member Satish Chandra Mishra is understood to have said that members would be in a position to comment on it only after reading it.

DMK member Adhi Sankar, whose party had earlier opposed Joshi’s report, wanted the PAC to call more witnesses in connection with the 2G scam issue.

BJD member Bhartruhari Mahtab is learnt to have said that the Speaker, while returning the report, had neither given any specific directions to the PAC, nor rejected it.

He pointed out that the Speaker, in her letter to the PAC Chairman, had referred to the document as a "draft report".

Natarajan also sought to know from Joshi on what basis had he written to the Speaker about the "unruly behaviour" of the Congress members during the PAC meeting on April 28.

The PAC meeting on April 28 had descended into chaos after the UPA managed to secure the support of BSP and SP to obtain a surprising majority which "rejected" the draft report on the 2G scam that was sharply critical of Prime Minister, his office and others.

Joshi had then sent the report Speaker Meira Kumar along with a covering letter detailing the sequence of events during the meeting.

The Speaker had returned the draft report, saying it had not been adopted by the panel.