LD PM 4 LAST

There are various methods of computing the figures and
went on to question whether the Rs 80,000 crore being spent on
foodgrain subsidy, Rs 60,000 crore on fertilisers and subsidy
on kerosene could be called as loss.
He was replying to a question whether he agreed with
Telecom minister Kapil Sibal's description of zero loss in the
2G scam.
Asked whether the government would agree to the JPC on 2G
scam, he said "full efforts are being undertaken to see that
some way will be found (to ensure that Parliament functions).
I hope it will happen."
When a questioner asked whether he was ready for a JPC
and whether it was not being formed because he was reluctant
appear before it, he said "my position is that I am not afraid
of appearing before any committee. The PAC is a joint
parliamentary committee, presided over a senior member of the
opposition.
"I am fully prepared to appear before any committee
including a JPC. It is entirely wrong for an impression to go
that I was the one blocking it because I am afraid of
appearing before it. My conduct as a Prime Minister must be
like Caesar's wife should be above suspicion. I am ready to
appear before any committee", he said.
To a question about any rift within the UPA and whether
it would continue together, he said as far as the coalition
was concerned, "ours is a strong coalition and our allies are
strongly committed to strengthening the alliance. There is no
danger that inner tensions might break up this coalition".
On the controversial deal between Antrix, the commercial
arm of ISRO and a private firm Devas for allocation of S-band
spectrum, Singh said the deal has not been operationalised and
the Cabinet Committee on Security would soon take a decision
on terminating it, a decision on which was taken on July two
last year.
He also rebutted reports that the PMO was involved in
back channel discussions as late as November last year with
Devas even as a decision was taken to terminate it.
"I have not talked to anybody.... The PMO has not talked
to anybody. The German Foreign Minister who had a meeting with
me did not raise this issue."
He said different departments including the Law Ministry
have recommended termination of the contract but there were
only procedural delays in implementing it. PTI