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| PM rules out JPC on 2G scam, says ready to appear before PAC | | | Early Times Report
New Delhi, Dec 20: Even as the UPA government is under attack from the Opposition over corruption scandals that have hit his government and the Congress, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said that he was ready to appear before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) probing the 2G spectrum allocation scam.
“I want to tell the people of this great nation that I have nothing to hide. I shall be happy to appear before the PAC of the Parliament presided over by the Opposition leader MM Joshi on 2G spectrum issue although there is no such precedent,” Dr Singh said while addressing the plenary session of the Congress party, which concluded here today.
The Prime Minister said he had nothing to hide nor had he hidden any facts related to the controversy as alleged by thhe opposition. He regretted that the entire session of Parliament got wasted as the opposition did not allow carrying out any business in the House. Slamming the Opposition for stalling the Winter Session of the Parliament over the demand for a JPC probe into the 2G scam, the PM said, “The entire session of the Parliament was wasted because the Opposition did not settle for a probe by the PAC having powers to investigate all aspects of the 2G spectrum scam. We are ready to discuss the report of the PAC in the Parliament once it completes its investigation into the matter.”
He hit back at the Opposition saying, “BJP has been falsely propagating that government does not want JPC as it does not want me (PM) to appear before it.”
“No purpose will be served by Joint Parliamentary Committee as multi-agency probe is underway into 2G spectrum allocation,” he added.
Expressing grave concern over the issue of corruption, the Prime Minister endorsed the stand taken by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi that it has "become a disease" at all levels throughout the society.
However, he assured by saying, “All aspects of 2G spectrum allocation are being probed thoroughly and no guilty person will be spared, irrespective of his political affiliation and his influence in public life.”
“We have asked our party members to step down in view of tiniest hint of suspicion. I have been prime minister for six-and-a-half years, I may have committed mistakes but I have tried to serve my country to the best of my ability. I believe that like Caesar's wife, PM should be above suspicion,” said Dr Singh.
The Prime Minister began his speech by appealing the members of his party to focus on the principles laid down by Congress’ founding members.
Showering praises on leadership of Sonia Gandhi, Dr Singh said, “We are lucky to have a visionary leader like Sonia Gandhi, under whose guidance we all are striving to make Congress a highly responsible party.”
“I want to assure you that my government will pay careful attention to five-point agenda to fight corruption set out by Sonia Gandhi,” the PM said.
He stressed that only Congress can provide a stable government and make India a powerful nation. “I have said this earlier and want to reiterate that only Congress can provide a stable and responsible governance to the people of India, so its time that we focus on the guiding principles of our great party.”
Shifting his focus to the rising prices of the essential commodities, he said, “We have made all efforts to reduce inflation and will continue those efforts. By March next year inflation is expected to settle at 5.5%.”
With an aim to ensure food security for each section of the society, he said, “My government is determined to bring out National Food Security Act in the next session.”
Calling for a rapid development of the Naxal-infested regions, the prime minister said, “Fight against Naxalism cannot be won only through security measures; one aspect of the problem is associated with development.”
Shifting his focus to the cross-border terrorism and souring bilateral ties with Pakistan, Dr Singh said, “We want friendly relations with Pakistan but this can happen only when it ensures that its territory is not used for terror activities against us.”
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