Rift over 2G scam probe jurisdiction

Members of the panel, which continues to probe the scam, were sharply divided over the PAC persisting over its probe, while the JPC has been set up to investigate it.

Congress and DMK members raised the issue disrupting the proceedings, while the former also asked PAC Chairman Murli Manohar Joshi why the main accused in the case — former telecom minister A Raja — was not questioned. The ruckus meant that the panel could not call the three witnesses who were supposed to appear before it.

Law Secretary D R Meena appeared for five minutes at 11 am and was asked to leave as wrangling over the probe began. CBI Director A P Singh waited for four hours before leaving without giving evidence.

Following Friday’s disruption, the PAC meeting, scheduled for Saturday — in which it was to hear Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary TKA Nair and Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrashekar — has been postponed to April 21.

Arguments that began about 11 am continued until four in the evening during which Congress and DMK members asked why the PAC was continuing the probe while the JPC was constituted for the purpose. Much of the attack was directed at Joshi.

Members pointed out that the PAC should complete its work on the spectrum allocation scam since many members of the PAC were retiring shortly. They wanted a conclusion as another Committee was specifically set up for the purpose.

Congress members said the PAC had not taken up issues of sub judice in the past and also demanded to know why the Committee hadn’t called the man who knew everything about the scam — Raja — who is now in custody.

Some Congress members, maintaining that the PAC was merely duplicating the work, said the panel meetings had become a “media show” due to Joshi’s decision to address journalists after every meeting.

Explaining his position, Joshi pointed out that he has powers to call anybody and that the  PAC has the mandate to go beyond the CAG report which was rejected by the Congress/DMK.