PM announces JPC in 2G scam

New Delhi, Feb 22 (PTI) Giving in to opposition demand,
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday announced
government's decision to set up a Joint Parliamentary
Committee to probe the 2G spectrum scam, saying the country
could "ill afford" disruption of the crucial Budget session of
Parliament.
Making the announcement in Lok Sabha, the Lower House, as
soon as it met for the first working day of the session, Singh
said a formal motion for constitution of the Joint
Parliamentary Committee would be moved soon.
"We could not succeed in spite of our sincere efforts"
to persuade the Opposition not to insist on a JPC probe, Singh
said.
Asserting that his government was committed to root out
corruption, the Prime Minister said "all effective steps" were
taken to convince the Opposition in this regard.
"We can ill afford a situation where Parliament is not
allowed to function during the crucial Budget session. It is
in these special circumstances that our government agrees to
the setting up of a JPC," he said.
Singh requested Speaker Meira Kumar to proceed with the
process of formation of the JPC and said a formal motion would
be moved soon.
Welcoming the government's move, Leader of the Opposition
Sushma Swaraj thanked the Prime Minister and Leader of the
House Pranab Mukherjee for the decision.
"We should not see this as a victory or defeat. This is a
victory of democracy. We should all work together putting
aside any talk of victory or defeat," she said.