Dim prospects of end to deadlock on JPC probe into 2G spectrum

New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) Prospects of an immediate end to
the deadlock in Parliament over the JPC probe into 2G spectrum
scam on Monday appeared dim with the Opposition and government
remaining firm in their respective positions for and against
such an inquiry on the eve of an all-party meeting on Tuesday.
While there was no official word about any new proposal
from the government to end the stalemate and 'save' the coming
Budget session of Parliament, Indian Finance Minister Pranab
Mukherjee, on Monday questioned the logic behind the
Opposition's demand.
The standoff had washed out virtually the entire winter
session of Parliament.
Mukherjee, who has convened Tuesday's meeting, said
setting up of JPC would only lead to duplication of probe into
the 2G spectrum scam.
Striking a similar note, Congress, leading the coalition
at the Centre, stuck to its opposition to the formation of
JPC.
Party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed hoped "there may be other
options available...We should be optimistic that Parliament
will function smoothly...Better sense will prevail and things
will be sorted out amicably".
BJP and Left parties are united on the demand for JPC.
The Left contention is that the arrest of former Telecom
Minister A Raja and findings of the Shivraj Patil Committee
have reinforced the demand for JPC into the 2G spectrum
allocation scam.
"We want the House to function. Whether the House will
function or not, that is the responsibility of the government.
If it remains obdurate like it remains now that there is no
JPC, the responsibility of functioning of Parliament is on the
government," CPI-M Parliamentary Party leader Sitaram Yechury
said.
Asked whether the Left would agree to have a discussion
in Parliament on the need for a JPC probe, he said there was
no such proposal from the government in this regard.
BJP leaders, including L K Advani, have said the
party-led NDA stands by the demand for JPC probe and there is
"no dilution".
The budget session of Parliament is scheduled to begin on
February 21 and continue till April 21.
At Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar's third and final
meeting today with some oppositon leaders, Mukherjee sought to
drive home the point as to what purpose JPC would serve when
CBI, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Public Accounts
Committee (PAC) are already looking into the issue.