New Delhi: Questioning the Opposition`s
insistence on a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum issue, Telecom
Minister Kapil Sibal on Tuesday said there was no scope for it when
actions related to administrative aspect and criminal
culpability had already been initiated.
"The Opposition has the right to throw out the government
but if it can`t, it should allow the government to function,"
he told reporters.
JPC should emerge through a consensus or when there is a
national concern, the minister said, adding that the
Opposition`s demand "is something to do with pure politics".
Questioning the Opposition`s rationale of demanding a
JPC, Sibal said that his ministry has already initiated
administrative actions against telecom companies which might
have suppressed information to get licences or those which
have missed out on roll-out obligations.
"As regards to criminal culpability of people involved in
the alleged scam, it is being investigated by the CBI and
other agencies. We are also not averse to the Supreme Court
monitoring the investigations," Sibal said.
He also said that framing the telecom policy for the
future growth also does not come under the JPC`s purview.
"So, I want to know what is the rationale behind the
demand for JPC. Let there be a debate on the floor of the
House... Let`s discuss the issue first," he said, adding that
the demand for JPC has become "an instrument" to create
controversies on daily basis so that democracy does not
function.
He also denied that allies partners like NCP and
Trinamool Congress have demanded a JPC probe into the 2G
spectrum. "All allies stood by the government," he added.
The Opposition must explain to the public that on what
basis they are demanding a JPC probe.
Commenting on CAG`s report that has quantified the
revenue loss to the exchequer at Rs 1.76 lakh crore, Sibal had
said yesterday that CAG`s finding was just an "opinion" and
the telecom ministry would look into it before taking a
decision.
PTI
