Wrong to say I am blocking JPC on 2G scam: PM

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Feb 16: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday emphatically stated that he was not afraid of appearing before any committee in connection with the probe into the 2G spectrum scam.

“I have already declared that I am willing to appear before the PAC (Parliamentary Accounts Committee). I also have no problem in appearing before the JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee)” in connection with the 2G spectrum allocation scam, the Prime Minister declared here.

"And this is wrong impression that I was blocking the agreement about the JPC because I don’t want to appear before the JPC. I have said that as PM my conduct should be like Caesar’s wife, above suspicion and am prepared to appear before any committee," he stressed.

"In a coalition government, there is a coalition dharma. Things are not entirely the way I would like them to be...," he stated.

Dr Singh was interacting with senior press editors at his official 7 Race Course Road residence. The Q&A session was broadcast live on Doordarshan.

The PM said his government was making an honest effort so that the Budget Session of Parliament is held in orderly fashion. The remarks hold significance as the entire Winter Session was washed out amid Opposition’s insistence on setting up a JPC to probe the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

“The talks are on with Opposition parties… whatever may be the differences, the Parliament should be allowed to function,” he said.

‘Dead Serious Against corruption’

He further sought to assure the nation in the backdrop of a series of corruption scams that have hit the country over the past year, saying his government will make sure all the wrongdoers are brought to book.

"I, through your medium, am promising the people of India that anybody found guilty of corruption will be severely punished," Dr Singh said.

Referring to the scams - 2G spectrum, CWG, Adarsh Society, S-band – the Prime Minister said his government is dead serious about tackling corruption.

While lauding the media for drawing the country’s attention to the scams that came to the fore over the past few months, Dr Singh cautioned that “while projecting the evils, the impression that has gone around is that we are a scam-riddled country, where nothing is going right”. This is weakening the self-confidence of the country’s citizens, he added.

‘Raja Assured Me Of Complete Transparency’

Responding to a question, the PM said he had expressed concern to former telecom minister A Raja on auctioning 2G spectrum and in response, the latter had assured him of complete transparency in the spectrum allocation process.

Raja had said the auction of 2G spectrum was neither recommended by the TRAI nor the Telecom Commission, the PM told the media conference, adding the former minister however had agreed to auctioning 3G spectrum.

The PM also clarified that Raja had only continued with the prevailing policy on 2G spectrum.

The PM further made it clear that the controversial ‘first come first serve’ basis in giving out 2G licences was not discussed with him.

"In allocation of 2G spectrum, the issue of licences was never brought to me or the Cabinet. That was the decision of the (then communication) minister," he said.

"I wrote a letter to Raja on November 2, 2007. I listed a number of issues that you must look into and (ensure) they are dealt (with) in (an) equitable, fair and transparent manner. One of the issues that I asked him to look into was the possibility from the legal and technical angle of having an auction of spectrum," he told the gathering.

"He wrote back to me on the same day saying I had been absolutely transparent in dealings I will be so in the future and you have my assurance that I have done nothing and I will do nothing that will be consistent to the promise that I have made to you," the PM added.

Also, with figures from different sources varying widely, PM Singh said calculation of the loss to the exchequer from the allocation of 2G spectrum depends on the methodology adopted.

He also said that in the absence of an auction, determining the actual loss was very difficult.

"The then existing policy of the government was that auctions should not take place and if auctions have not taken place then what is the basis to calculate the loss? There are various estimates but you have to assess what is the right magnitude after asking yourself what was the right price," the PM said.

"CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) itself has said that it is a presumptive loss," he added.

When Zee News’ Editor Satish K Singh asked the Prime Minister, while referring to his ‘dead serious against corruption’ remark, what measures his government was planning to take, Dr Singh said all possible steps to tackle corruption would be initiated. He added that the black money, which is stashed in foreign banks abroad and which legally and rightfully belongs to India, would be brought back.

When asked whether he as chief of the UPA government takes moral responsibility for the corruption scams, the PM said as the leader he was responsible.

On being asked what steps against corruption have been envisaged in the upcoming General Budget, the PM said the Finance Minister is the right person to ask this question. He however said he knew some of the content which would be listed out when the Budget is presented on February 28.

PM Singh also refuted charges that his office was trying to dilute the Space Commission’s decision to annul the S-band spectrum deal between ISRO and private company Devas.

He also denied suggestions of backroom talks with Devas on the issue.

‘Inflation To Drop’

Prime Minister Singh said the economy will grow by at least 8.5 percent this fiscal and inflation will drop to seven percent by year-end.

The prime minister said with India becoming an increasingly integrated and open economy, international developments have a bearing on matters like inflation and all possible steps were being taken to mitigate their impact.

"If we were concerned about only curbing inflation, we could have done it, I think, by pursuing tighter monetary policies...we could have brought about a situation where price rise could be moderated," he said.

"But in the process if growth gets hurt I think that would not do our country any good," he added.

‘Reforms In Budget’

Away from the 2G issue, Dr Singh told the editors that the upcoming Budget will see reforms, while stressing that the government has its economic agenda in place.

"The economic agenda is there. There is the food security bill, the Right to Education (RTE) Act is now a reality, the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) reform is a reality, there have been reforms in the National Rural Health Mission," Dr Singh said.

"The same way we are going to have a fresh wave in infrastructure investment with the help of the new Public Private Partnership model. These are not big reforms and I hope in the current budget you will see the reform agenda that our government has," he added.

The PM added that the government will not give up on the face of difficulties.

"We have not given up. We will persist. There are difficulties particularly when Parliament is not allowed to function," he said.

‘I’ll Stay The Course’

The Prime Minister also said he had never felt like resigning because he had a job to do and there was a lot of unfinished business.

"I have never felt like quitting, I will stay the course," he stated.

"The country voted our party to be the leader of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) coalition and we have a lot of unfinished business to accomplish," he added.

"I do not say that I have never made a mistake. But the kind of propaganda being done and shown, I am not a culprit to that extent," the PM told the press conference.

‘India Should Win World Cup’

On a lighter note, Prime Minister Singh hoped Team India would win the cricket World Cup.

"My best wishes are with the countrymen and countrywomen of India. India should win the World Cup," Manmohan Singh told the TV editors.

Asked about his favourite players in the Indian cricket team, the PM said: "I have some but won’t mention them".

Be objective: PM to media

PM Singh said that facts were sacred and should not be distorted, while asking the media to be objective in reporting on the country’s affairs.

Answering a question on whether the current atmosphere would be a dampener for investors, he admitted that this sort of atmosphere "saps our self confidence" and spoils the country’s image.

Urging the media to be objective, he said: "While opinions are a matter of speculation, facts are sacred." Facts, he stressed, should not be distorted.