PM on JPC demand: ‘existing mechanisms’ good enough

Making a surprise appearance from his cabin during the short 90-minute flight from Brussels to Berlin,the PM fielded a few questions before aides ushered him away. He seemed cautious initially,and said he would speak “in due course”,but did not hold back when asked about the situation in Parliament.

“It is very sad that Parliament is not working. We have tried to repeatedly tell the Opposition that there are existing mechanisms which can do what the JPC will do,” he said.

Asked if he worried the stalemate would spill into the Budget session,Singh said,“I am worried about the future of the parliamentary system and I hope that reason shall prevail.”

On his having left India at a time of ‘crisis’,Singh said,“These are pre-fixed appointments. If we don’t honour them,then who will take us seriously? In any case,nothing much is happening (in India).”

Sources,however,confirmed the PM has been keeping a close watch on events in the country,and updating himself continuously.

The PM was in Brussels for two days,where he attended the annual Indo-EU Summit,the first after the Lisbon Treaty came into force. He reached Berlin today on a bilateral visit scheduled to last only a few hours; he will leave soon after a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Singh has gone about his meetings in a routine manner so far,but has shown considerable interest in understanding Europe’s economic crisis.