YOU have demanded an apology from the Opposition for creating deadlock in Parliament. If you are really concerned about the conduction of the business in the Parliament, why not you understand the mood of the Opposition? Government has a responsibility to do all to ensure the smooth functioning of the legislative branch. You are the strategic brain of this UPA Government. You are an important person in making the decision of the Central Government what is preventing you from the formation of JPC. Nation wants to know.
You are very knowledgeable. You know very well that, JPC was formed to investigate Bofors in 1987, irregularities in security and banking transactions in 1992, stock market scam in 2001, pesticides residue and safety standards for soft drinks in 2003. The total loss for exchequer in 2G scam is many times more than all the four cases combined. The dimension and magnitude of the 2G scandal is so enormous that a review of the CAG report by the PAC will not suffice – A comprehensive enquiry empowered by JPC is essential.
JPC is not simply the demand of the Opposition. The media, elite, intellectuals, some parties belonging to ruling UPA, various other political parties are particular to probe the whole thing by JPC and punish the guilty. There is no justification in blaming the Opposition for stalling Parliament, considering the huge money involved in the scam.
2G scam caused a huge loss to the country’s exchequer to the tune of ` 1,76,000 crores in a mysterious and suspicious way by the corrupt UPA ministers, unethical politicians, corporate houses and lobbyists. They are to be thoroughly investigated and culprits are to be punished.
Anyone with an elementary knowledge of the Constitution knows that, the PAC is no substitute, for a JPC, which has wide powers of investigation and can summon anyone including the Prime Minister, if necessary.
It is obvious that there is an attempt to protect some people. Sonia’s tall talk of rooting out corruption, is not taken seriously by the people. Because, the opinion makers of this country knows that, Union Heavy Industries Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh continues in government despite the Supreme Court fixing Maharashtra, Rs 10 lakh in a case, in which, a Chief Minister, had abused his authority by getting the police to go easy on a money lender. Union Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh is functioning undisturbed despite a Himachal Court charge sheeted him in a corruption case.
There are other ministers under whose watch money is undoubtedly being made. Ordinary people are pained by the unprecedented scale of corruption.
Scandals have broken out all at once. 2G Spectrum, Common Wealth Games, Adarsh Housing Society, Radia Tapes have spoiled the image of UPA. These charges of corruptions and various other allegations are percolating down to the streets and lanes of the towns and villages. People are losing their faith on Congress and UPA.
There are many questions disturbing the mind of every common man. Why this UPA government is afraid of constituting the JPC? Is there something they are trying to hide from the public?
Whether A Raja, was the only person involved in the scam? Whether the acquired money was shared by other people? Who are all involved? The more reluctance you show, the more we believe that, the government has some thing; it does not want common man to know about it.
If PM has nothing to hide to PAC and people, why not to JPC and end the confrontation. The hesitancy clearly means that the Government is trying to evade the truth. Congress stands guilty of being a party to the paralysis that gripped Parliament in the last session over JPC.
Instead of attacking the opposition, accept the demand and clear the air that the budget session next year is not wasted in a similar fashion.
-V Shanmuganathan
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