Radia was evasive before PAC: Murli Manohar Joshi

Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, told the media that lobbyist Niira Radia was evasive when she was quizzed in connection with the 2G spectrum scam. Her attitude and the answers she gave to the 12-member committee during her 2-hour questioning seems to have angered Joshi.

Joshi is believed to have told Radia, "You cannot take things lightly."

"She was evasive in her answers and tried to take refuge by giving stock answers that she does not remember what she said. She also claimed that her quotes had been taken out of context. She, however, admitted that she had listened to some of the tapes during her interrogation with the Central Bureau of Investigation. We have asked her to give a list of the tapes. We can get the rest confirmed by the CBI," Joshi said.

He refused to divulge the content of her answers to mediapersons.

Radia was expected to appear before the PAC at 11 am in the morning but she came at 12.10 pm. Joshi confirmed that she had lunch in the Parliament premises before she left. "This is part of the normal courtesy extended to those who appear before the committee," Dr Joshi said.

TataSons Chairman Ratan Tata was examined for three hours and wasoffered tea twice during the questioning which began at 3 pm and ended at 6pm. "Reliance Communications Chairman Anil Ambani will appear before the PAC on Tuesday along with some chief executive officers of other organisations," he said.

Joshi and other members of the committee who were present during the questioning were impressed with Ratan Tata's openness.He told the committee that he was apprehensive before he appeared before us. But he added that he was impressed with our total professionalism. He was candid and open in his answers", Joshi said.

When a mediaperson asked if Tata had won the hearts of the committee Dr Joshi refused to say anything about it.

"He told us that the voice in the taped conversation with Niira Radia was his. He also admitted that he had written a letter to chief minister of Tamil Nadu about Dayanidhi Maran. But I am not going to share the information he gave us during the questioning. We have told both Radia and Tata that they would be called again if need be. Tata offered to share information with the committee in writing on some of the questions that were put to him," Joshi said.

Joshi lost his cool when a journalist asked him why was he was being evasive like Niira Radia. "You have crossed your limits. You should know that you are addressing the chairman of Public Accounts Committee," he thundered.

When asked if the continuation of the work by PAC does not amount to duplicity of work, as some of the issues that committee headed by him is going into policy decisions.

"No where it is said that what PAC cannot do. In fact both I and P A Chako have put forward our point of view before the honourable speaker. Since the parliamentary resolution does not mention that PAC will only look into the Comptroller and Auditor General report. So the committee is entitled to hold the opinion that it can continue its work. While we have held 18 meetings so far, and have examined a lot of persons, the Joint Parliamentary Committee has yet to commence work," he said.

Though he refused to confirm by when the PAC will finalise the report, he dropped hints that it could happen before the next session of Parliament in mid-May. 

Who will decide whether PAC would look into all aspects of the 2G scam? Or will it be left to the JPC? "The ball is in the court of the umpire. In this case, with the speaker of the Lok Sabha. There is no third umpire to decide on the issue," he said amid laughter.