Telecom Lead India: Former telecom minister A Raja may get a chance to share his views on the 2G spectrum scam with the Public Accounts Committee.
The former telecom minister did not get an opportunity to share his views with the Joint Parliamentary Committee on telecom, headed by PC Chacko. PC Chacko’s draft report cleared both prime minister and finance minister from the 2G spectrum scam. The report accused Raja as the culprit for allocating spectrum in 2002.
Raja had recently written a letter to the JPC, claiming he had taken all decisions pertaining 2G spectrum in consultation with PM and FM.
PAC’s 2G report remains unfinished agenda as it was not formally adopted with Congress members protesting its conclusions blaming Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and finance minister P Chidambaram for lack of oversight, Times of India reported.
The alleged unfair treatment meted out to Raja can provide the PAC with an opportunity to re-examine the matter and even call the former telecom minister to offer his evidence, the report said.
The report did not get an official tag after a PAC meeting called for its adoption was adjourned without a ruling from senior BJP leader MM Joshi who heads the committee. Joshi thereafter sent the report to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar.
The 2G report has not been brought back for the PAC’s consideration given the tempers it has raised in the past, but it was up to the panel to decide whether it needs to hear more witnesses to add to the report.
Since the UPA II government lead by the Congress party is facing several corruption charges including the recent Coal scam, it will be difficult for the government to handle the 2G telecom issue without troubles.
The former telecom minister has been trying to say that 2G spectrum was allocated with the knowledge of FM and PM. It is important to note that CBI and other agencies could not trace any kickbacks in the scam. This may assist Raja to prove that he has done anything to wrong.
