2G scam: Parliamentary panel set to get fifth extension

This will be the fifth extension to the JPC set up in March,2011. The term of the committee was scheduled to end on May 10.

The resolution,moved by panel chief P C Chacko,was adopted unanimously.

The resolution to extend the tenure of the JPC was added as a supplementary agenda after Chacko and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath consulted Lok Sabha Meira Kumar on the issue.

Chacko had recently said that if he could not convene a meeting of the JPC,he would individually consult the members to get their backing for the resolution seeking extension.

The decision by Chacko to seek a fresh extension of the JPC indicates that the controversial draft report circulated last month is unlikely to be adopted soon.

The draft report gave clean chit to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P Chidambaram and indicted former Telecom Minister A Raja for the 2G scam.

Fifteen members from Opposition parties including from former UPA allies DMK and Trinamool Congress,had earlier written separate letters to the Speaker contending that they have “no confidence” in the JPC Chairman and had appealed to her to immediately remove him. They had also rejected the draft report “in toto”.

The Speaker has expressed her inability to remove him as Chairman and had asked members to “sink” their differences and produce a report.

While SP has not sought Chacko’s removal,it has made it clear that till Raja is not called as a witness,it would not support the report. SP has one member in the panel. BSP,with two members,is likely to side with UPA.

Chacko has said that while the text of the draft would not be altered,members can move amendments in the form of dissent notes which can be appended to the report to be tabled in Parliament.