RBI Governor appears before PAC on 2G issue

New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) RBI Governor D Subbarao, who wasFinance Secretary when the 2G spectrum allocations were made,today appeared before Parliament''s Public Accounts Committee(PAC) and shared "accurate information" on the controversialissue.

Subbarao, as Finance Secretary, had raised questions overthe entry fee for mobile operators ahead of the 2G spectrumallocations that led to the resignation of Telecom Minister ARaja and his subsequent arrest by the CBI.

"The current RBI Governor was the Finance Secretary and heshared accurate information regarding his communications withthe Department of Telecom," PAC Chairman Murli Manohar Joshitold reporters here.

He said the Committee members held "significantdiscussions" on the issue but ruled out submission of aninterim report on the matter during the Budget Session ofParliament.

He said the Finance Ministry, Telecom Regulatory Authorityof India and Department of Telecom were interconnected andhold consultations before taking any significant decisions.

Joshi refused to give any timeframe for finalisation ofthe report on the 2G spectrum allocations.

In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, the governmenthad said on the issue of 2G allocation that the financesecretary had raised certain queries on November 27, 2007,regarding the entry fee. A reply to this was given by thetelecom secretary on November 29, 2007.

Asked whether he would recommend a Joint ParliamentaryCommittee (JPC) probe into the 2G issue, Joshi said it was notthe job of the PAC to make such suggestions.

To a question, he said the PAC had sought some informationfrom the PMO which had been received by them.

Joshi said some telecom companies mentioned in the CAGreport have sent their views on the matter and the same havebeen forwarded to the Department of Telecom for comments.

Asked whether the PAC would ask lobbyist Niira Radia toappear before it, Joshi said any person whose presence wouldbe felt necessary would be called.

"An appropriate decision would be taken at an appropriatetime," was his refrain to questions on Prime Minister ManmohanSingh''s offer to appear before the Committee.

To another question, Joshi said the PAC was yet to get aa reply from Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on his complaintagainst Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal for his controversialremarks on the CAG report on 2G spectrum allocations.