PM offers to appear before PAC, rules out JPC on 2G scam

Prime Minister  Manmohan Singh today offered to present himself before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) probing the 2G spectrum allocation scam but refused opposition demand for an enquiry by a joint parliamentary committee.

However, despite attack from the Opposition over corruption scandals that have hit his government and the Congress party, the prime minister refused top set up a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) that would include opposition members also, to probe the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

"I want to tell the people of this great nation that I have nothing to hide. I shall be happy to appear before the PAC of the Parliament presided over by the Opposition leader MM Joshi on 2G spectrum issue although there is no such precedent," Singh said while addressing the plenary session of the Congress party, which concluded today.

Instead, he blamed the Opposition for stalling the winter session of Parliament over the demand for a JPC probe into the 2G scam.

"The entire session of the Parliament was wasted because the Opposition did not settle for a probe by the PAC having powers to investigate all aspects of the 2G spectrum scam. We are ready to discuss the report of the PAC in the Parliament once it completes its investigation into the matter," he said.

He also attacked the Opposition saying, "BJP has been falsely propagating that government does not want JPC as it does not want me (PM) to appear before it."