Manmohan Singh writes to PAC chief, says ready to appear before panel

New Delhi, Dec 27 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, on Monday wrote to Public Accounts Committee chairman Murli Manohar Joshi saying that he is ready to appear before the panel in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.

Earlier, on December 20 at the Congress' 83rd plenary meet, Dr. Singh made an unprecedented offer of appearing before the PAC, saying he has "nothing to hide".

"I sincerely believe that like Caesar's wife, the Prime Minister should be above suspicion and it is for this reason that I am prepared to appear before the PAC even though there is no precedent to that effect," Dr. Singh had said.

Meanwhile, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India Vinod Rai deposed before Joshi in connection with the 2G scam.

Rai appeared before the 22-member PAC, chaired by Joshi in Parliament House.

The meeting is scheduled to go on through the day, with only a two-hour break.

The 96-page report submitted to Parliament on November 16 said the presumptive loss to exchequer through spectrum allocation to 122 licencees and 35 dual technology licences in 2008 was Rs.1,76,645 crore.

The meeting with Rai comes a few days after the PAC had asked for views and suggestions from individuals and organisations on the 2G spectrum allocation.

"Taking into consideration the importance of the subject and the nationwide interest evinced in it, the Committee has decided to invite memoranda containing views/suggestions from various individuals, experts, associations, institutions, organisations interested in the subject matter," it said. (ANI)