2G: Another extension for JPC

The Lok Sabha on Monday extended the term of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on allocation and pricing of spectrum to the last day of the monsoon session

The Lok Sabha on Monday extended the term of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on allocation and pricing of spectrum to the last day of the monsoon session. The Rajya Sabha is expected to accord its approval to the Lok Sabha decision shortly.

The Lok Sabha unanimously adopted a resolution for the extension of the term at the instance of JPC chairman P C Chacko. That this House do extend upto the last day of the monsoon session 2013,the time for presentation of the report of the Joint Committee to examine matters relating to allocation and pricing of telecom licences and spectrum, the resolution said.

The term of the committee was scheduled to end on May 10,the last day of the budget session.

The move for extending the tenure of the JPC came as a part of the supplementary agenda after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath and Chacko consulted Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar.

Chacko had earlier discounted the idea of an extension on the ground that the committees job was almost over with the circulation of the draft report. It only awaited an adoption by the panel,he had said. However,Chacko found his path blocked with 15 of the total 30 members rejecting the draft report and expressing their no confidence in him. Chacko,who had earlier called off a meeting slated for April 25,did not announce a fresh date for it.

Sadhick Batchas driver fears for life,cries in court

New Delhi: A prosecution witness on Monday broke down in a Delhi court,which is hearing the 2G spectrum allocation scam case,saying he is facing life threat and does not wish to come in the court again.

Prosecution witness M Krishnamoorthy,former driver of the late Sadhick Batcha,who was an aide of former telecom minister A Raja,broke down in the court minutes after the recording of his testimony got over.

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Batcha,who committed suicide on March 16,2011,was the managing director of real estate company Green House Promoters in which Rajas wife M A Parameswari was earlier a director and his other relatives were also reportedly associated with the firm.

As Krishnamoorthy does not understand any language except Tamil,the questions asked to him and his replies were translated in English by Public Prosecutor Chenthil Kumar K.

When the witness started crying,prosecutor Kumar told the court that he feels his life was under threat as he is a small person while the other party is quite influential.

On being repeatedly asked by Special CBI Judge O P Saini,he could not point out as to who was influential and to whom he was addressing as other party.

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Meanwhile,DMK chief M Karunanidhis wife Dayalu Ammal,who was scheduled to appear in a Delhi court on Monday to depose as a CBI witness in a 2G spectrum allocation scam case,moved an application seeking exemption from appearance due to ill health. Her counsel said she is weak and bed-ridden. PTI