PM announces JPC probe in 2G scam

New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, today announced the formation of a Joint Parliamentary Probe (JPC) into the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, Dr. Singh said: "The Winter Session was lost and the country cannot afford to lose another session. Our Government is committed to root out corruption."

"The Government is fully cooperating with the investigations into the 2G scam. The Government also agrees to setting up of JPC," he added.

During the Winter Session, the government's no to a JPC inquiry into the 2G scam led to a complete paralysis of Parliament with less than ten hours of business being conducted.

Former Telecom Minister A Raja, his personal secretary RK Chandolia, former telecom secretary Siddharth Behuria and managing director of DB Realty Shahid Balwa have been so far arrested in 2G scam over their alleged roles

Raja was forced to resign from the Union Cabinet last year after the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) faulted him for undervaluing spectrum to favour companies who were largely ineligible for 2G spectrum, and added that the government had probably lost Rs.1.76 lakh crore in estimated revenue. (ANI)