JPC will lead to duplication in 2G probe, Govt tells MPs

New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) Ahead of a key meeting to resolvethe deadlock over the JPC issue, Government today questionedthe logic behind the Opposition''s demand saying it will onlylead to duplication of probe into the 2G Spectrum scam.

Leader of the House and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjeesought to drive home this point at a meeting of IndependentMPs and single member parties convened by Speaker Meira Kumaras part of her efforts to break the impasse in Parliament.

"Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the CBI,Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Public Accounts Committee(PAC) are already looking into the issue. What will JPC do? Itwill also ask for investigation which is already being done,"Inder Singh Namdhari, Independent MP from Chatra, said.

Today''s meeting, the third convened by the Speaker, wasattended by nine members of Parliament.

The members pushed for a constitution of a JointParliamentary Committee (JPC) in the 2G spectrum allocationscam while Mukherjee contended that it would only lead toduplication of effort.

"Constitution of JPC will lead to duplication," Namdharisaid quoting Mukherjee. Jose K Mani of the Kerala Congress (M)also spoke on similar lines.

"We, however, said that if there is a face-off betweenthe government and the opposition what is the harm inconstituting a JPC which will to do the same thing," he said.

Namdhari said it was his personal opinion that a JPCshould be constituted.

The Speaker told reporters after the meeting that themembers expresed their views "very categorically" and wantedthe House to function.

"Their attitude was a very positive. I am very happy andbelieve that the House will run on February 21," Kumar said.

The Winter session of Parliament was a complete washoutwith very little business being transacted as each daywitnessed noisy scenes with the Opposition insisting on a JPCprobe while the Treasury benches raised issues of corruptionin BJP-run states like Karnataka.

The Budget Session of Parliament is scheduled to begin onFebruary 21 and continue till April 21.

Asked whether putting a Motion to vote or discussion wasan option or a suggestion, the Speaker said, "putting it tovote I have not heard of, but debate I have heard of. Thereare various suggestions".

"Many suggestions have been received and keeping in mindall the suggestions we have to find a middle path so that theHouse runs," Kumar said adding she had received a suggestionon having a discussion on JPC.

The Speaker had met leaders of the BJP on December 30 andfollowed it up with meetings with leaders of other parties thenext day.