Govt calls luncheon meet to break 2G deadlock

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned for the day with the opposition not allowing any business to be transacted.

With the logjam continuing in Parliament over the opposition's demand for a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum controversy, the government has convened an all-party meeting on Monday afternoon to end the deadlock.

Leader of the Lok Sabha and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has invited leaders of all parties for a luncheon meeting to discuss a way out to end the impasse in Parliament as both Houses have not been able to transact any business since the winter session commenced.

The government is expected to make an appeal to them to allow Parliament to function during the meeting. However, the government and opposition are still sticking to their respective stands on the demand for a JPC probe.

"We are firm on our demand for a JPC probe into the 2G Spectrum issue," said Deputy Leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Rajya Sabha S S Ahluwalia.

Mukherjee had a meeting with Home Minister P Chidambaram and Defence Minister A K Antony on Monday morning.

NDA leaders also had a floor coordination meeting and decided to take a view on the issue of allowing Parliament to function after the all-party meeting.

"Mukherjee has called a meeting of all party leaders in the noon to discuss the issue," JD-U President Sharad Yadav told PTI after the National Democratic Alliance meeting.

Mukherjee had earlier held discussions with the opposition leaders on the issue on November 15 but the matter could not be resolved. Both the Congress and the government have so far ruled out constitution of JPC and have maintained that the CAG report should be sent to PAC in the normal course as the parliamentary committee is competent to look into the issue. He said the PAC or any Parliamentary committee can call anybody before it for inquiries just like the JPC.