Pranab rules out JPC probe into 2G spectrum scam

Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday ruled out a Joint P Parliamentary Committee investigation into alleged irregularities in the 2G spectrum allocation, but appealed to the Opposition to let Parliament function smoothly.

"What is JPC? Is it coming from the heaven? I do not find any logic or justification of setting up of a JPC," he told mediapersons in Kolkata.

"They should come back in the session. They should bring back normalcy. They should co-operate. We are always ready to listen to them. If you (the Opposition) say there is no investigative authority of the PAC, which JPC may claim...If PAC desires, we can give them the assistance of a multi-disciplinary investigative agency," Mukherjee said.

"JPC itself will not investigate. What JPC will do? JPC will examine the papers or witnesses, take evidences and arrive at a conclusion. Then they will say this is our report, this is our conclusion. The government should investigate and punish the guilty," he said.

"Government is exactly doing this. The CBI, Income Tax Department, the Enforcement Directorate and the process of investigation already started from 2009. An FIR was lodged in October 2009. What would they achieve through JPC?" he asked.

Mukherjee, who had offered a special Parliament session to debate the scam, said, "I suggested to them that let there be a debate, then people will come to know and they will arrive at a decision."

Mukherjee said Parliamentary democracy is essentially meant for debate, discussion and decisions. He said, "In Parliamentary democracy, the fundamental principle is that those who would get majority will rule. Those who do not get majority may oppose the policies of the government but that will have to be done on the floor of the House."

"Now a peculiar situation has been created when House meets just in the morning at 11. Even before the Chair assumes his or her seat, a group of members rush to the well, raise slogans, wave placards which lead to the adjournment of the House. The entire winter session has been washed out," the finance minister said.

"I told them that you are demanding JPC, we are already having a JPC. What is PAC other than JPC. JPC means there will be the members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Here (in PAC also) there are members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha," he said.