New Delhi, Mar 13 : As the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) prepares to go into the 2G issue, its chief P C Chacko has made it clear that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would be called before the panel only if it is "absolutely necessary" and there is a "consensus" among members.
He pointed out that none of the four earlier JPCs have called any Prime Minister and that such a step should be taken only if it is required for the "fair conclusion" of the committee's work.
"Calling the Prime Minister before JPC is the last step and not the first step. Such a step can be taken only when it is absolutely necessary and if there is consensus among the members," Chacko told PTI.
When referred to Singh's offer of appearing before any panel, the JPC Chairman said the matter, if raised by any member, will be deliberated upon by the committee and a decision reached by consensus.
Chacko, who is Congress MP from Kerala's Thrissur, said the 30-member JPC, which will hold its first meeting on March 24, will examine the telecom policy in place from 1998 to 2008, its implementation, pricing of spectrum and issuance of licences.
The aim is to ascertain if there were any problems in the system and its implementation and recommend actions accordingly. PTI
