The Government on Thursday moved a resolution to form a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to go into the issue of allocation and pricing of 2 G spectrum from 1998 to 2009. Moving a motion to this effect in Lok Sabha the leader of the house Mr. Pranab Mukerjee said that the 30 member committee will submit its report to the house before the end of next session of Parliament. The Committee will have 20 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 members from the upper house. He said the Speaker of the Lok sabha will nominate the chairperson of the JPC. He also announced the names of the members of the Lok Sabha who will be part of the parliamentary panel and said Rajya Sabha will give the names of rest of 10 members. Detailing on the terms of reference of the JPC, the resolution said it will examine irregularities and aberrations if any and their consequences in the implementation of the Government's decisions besides policy prescriptions on the issue in the specified period. The JPC will also examine the policies and their interpretation by successive governments and their consequences in the allocation and pricing of telecom licenses and spectrum. The panel will also make recommendations to ensure that appropriate procedures are formulated for implementation of laid down policies. Speaking of the resolution, Mr Pranab Mukerjee expressed regret that the winter session was almost washed out and said that parliament cannot be mortgaged to concede to a particular demand. He said disruption of proceedings is an area of concern which needs to be addressed collectively. The leader of the opposition in the house, Mrs Sushma Swaraj said the demand for a JPC was raised due to the extraordinary circumstances and the government should have accepted the demand without delay. While supporting the motion, Mrs Swaraj demanded the terms and references for the JPC to be expanded.
News On AIR | February 24, 2011 4:57 PM
2G scam : Govt. moves resolution to form JPC