Chidambaram rejects calls for JPC on 2G spectrum scam

NEW DELHI - Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday dismissed an opposition demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum scam, terming it as ‘meaningless’.

“Demand for JPC is completely meaningless. Let Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allow the House to run,” Chidambaram said.

He further said the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) will be referred to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, which has the representation of all parties.

“Let Public Accounts Committee (PAC) go into the matter. The CAG report will be discussed comprehensively in the PAC,” he added.

Meanwhile, both Houses of Parliament were adjourned till Tuesday as the opposition continued to demand a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the scam.

Similar scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha where BJP and AIADMK stalled proceedings demanding a JPC into the scam.

The 2G spectrum allocation has reportedly caused an alleged loss of Rs1.76 lakh crores to the Government, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has stated in a report.

The report is understood to have stated that former Information Technology and Communications Minister A Raja, who resigned over his alleged involvement in the 2G spectrum allocation scam, had no apparent logical or valid reasons to ignore the advice of the Law and Finance Ministries while allocating telecom spectrum to several firms in 2007-08.

The report is likely to be tabled in Parliament within ten days. (ANI)