JPC probe into IPL controversy not ruled out

New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) The Indian government on Friday
did not rule out setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee
to probe into the IPL controversy with Finance Minister Pranab
Mukherjee saying a decision would be taken after "due
diligence."
"It (a decision on JPC) is to be taken after due
diligence and consideration. It cannot be like instant coffee
or instant consideration," he said in the Lok Sabha,
responding to the Opposition demand for JPC.
Mukherjee, who is also the Leader of the Lok Sabha, said
the government will have to ponder over it.
"I will communicate your sentiments to the Prime
Minister. As and when the government takes a decision, we will
come to Parliament. Let us wait for some time," he added.
Not satisfied with his assurance, the Opposition members
continued to press for immediate acceptance of their demand
and in the din, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the House till
12 noon (local time).
Mukherjee said when the issue was raised earlier by the
opposition, he had informed the House that the concerned
department had already started investigation and was asked to
carry on with their raids.
He said the notice from some of the opposition members
for suspension of the Question Hour was given to the Speaker
and that he only received information about it.
Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj raised
the IPL controversy to demand a JPC probe, saying the issue
was getting "more serious day by day."
Swaraj said allegations were flying thick and fast that
two senior ministers in the government had a role to play in
the controversy.
She said now reports had come out that the ministers had
indulged in "gross misuse of power" including diversion of a
civilian aircraft for the IPL players.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was referring to
media reports Friday that an Air India flight from Delhi to
Coimbatore had been diverted to ferry the cricketers from
Chandigarh to Chennai, leaving the airline passengers to take
a flight much later.
"The whole issue (of IPL) should be probed. The Leader of
the House had said they are ready to probe. We feel
investigating agencies will not be able to bring the truth to
the fore. From day one of the episode, we have demanded that
JPC be constituted to look into this," Swaraj said. PTI NCB
RBT


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