Parliament's Public Accounts Committee has called leading industrialists, including Ratan Tata and Anil Ambani, and corporate lobbyist Niira Radia to appear before the panel in connection with the 2G spectrum scam which it is probing.
Sources said the PAC will meet on April 4 and 5 to discuss the 2G scam which had led to the resignation of former telecom minister A Raja. He was later arrested and is still in custody.
"Niira Radia and Ratan Tata have been called on April 4 to discuss their role in the 2G allocation. On April 5, representatives of four companies -- Swan Telecom, Reliance, Airtel and Unitech -- have been asked to present themselves," they said.
Radia is the promoter of Vaishnavi Corporate Communications.
...
2G scam: PAC summons Tata, Anil Ambani, Radia
Image: Anil AmbaniIn a similar statement, Reliance Communication spokesperson said, "Anil Ambani welcomes the opportunity to appear before the PAC."
When asked, Vaishnavi said its chief Radia will appear before the committee. "We continue to extend our cooperation and will be present before the PAC to answer queries and present any clarifications," a Vaishnavi spokesperson said.
2G scam: PAC summons Tata, Anil Ambani, Radia
Image: Corporate lobbyist Niira RadiaPAC Chairperson Murli Manohar Joshi as well as several members of the panel had expressed "satisfaction and happiness" with the deposition made by Vinod Mehta from Outlook and Manu Joseph from Open.
The tapes brought to light Radia allegedly lobbying with journalists and important people to influence formation of the United Progressive Alliance-II cabinet, especially the telecom portfolio. Radia is allegedly heard in the tapes making a case for Raja to get the telecom portfolio and ensure that Dayanidhi Maran also of the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam is kept out. Ratan Tata also figures in some of these purported conversations with Radia.
Representatives of four telecom firms RCom, Swan Telecom and Unitech, have been called on April 5. Swan Telecom (now DB Etisalat) chief Shahid Usman. Balwa is already in custody in the 2G Spectrum case.
article