In an apparent effort to delay adoption of the controversial Joint Parliamentary Committee report which had indicted former telecom minister A Raja in 2G scam, the DMK has demanded examination of documents filed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) before the courts and the CAG while defending the spectrum allocation.
But, the JPC meeting, scheduled to take place on September 23 for adoption of the report, has been deferred due to the National Integration Council meeting on the same day, JPC Chairman P C Chacko said.
T R Baalu, who is now the lone DMK member of the JPC, shot off a letter to Chacko to immediately call for the records of various affidavits filed by the DoT before courts defending the 2G spectrum allocation.
He has also demanded that the communication between the DoT and the CAG should also be called for examination. Not just that, Baalu said the officials who helped settle the various affidavits should also be summoned before the 30-member panel.
The DMK leader’s contention is that there are documents prove that there was ‘ample justification’ for the actions taken by the DoT. Now, Baalu is saying that the JPC had neither examined the documents in this regard nor the persons who were instrumental in formulating it.
“I, therefore, request you to immediately call for the records of these affidavits/letters and also arrange for the examination of the officers (who) are instrumental in preparing and settling these affidavits/letters,” he said. Confirming the receipt of Baalu’s letter, Chacko said that he had replied point-by-point to show that each and every document the DMK MP has mentioned has already been incorporated in the report.
Nonetheless, battle lines have been drawn for the meeting as the BJP and the Left members are all set to oppose the draft report by either giving strong notes of dissent or even demanding a vote.
The Committee has 12 members of the ruling UPA: Congress (11) and NCP (1).Among its outside allies, SP has one member and BSP two. The opposition camp has BJP (6), BJD (1), TMC (1), CPI (1), CPM (1), DMK (1) and AIADMK (1).
JD(U), which was split with the BJP recently, has two members and the party’s stand will be crucial. Besides, there is one nominated member from the Upper House.