New Delhi:
The BJP is making good on its promise to target the government and, in particular, the Prime Minister over the corruption that has grabbed the country's attention through a series of scams. Headlining that list is the 2G spectrum scam, estimated by the government's auditor to be worth up to 1.76 lakh crores.
"I have serious reservations about the ability, motivations and incentives in fighting corruption...I have serious doubts about the propriety and integrity of this government...this is governance at its worst leading to cynical public opinion," said the BJP's Arun Jaitley in the Rajya Sabha.
After months of stubborn insistence by the Opposition, the Prime Minister announced in the Lok Sabha this morning that his government would set up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to study the massive scam, allegedly orchestrated by former Telecom Minister A Raja, who is now in jail. The PM said that by conceding to a JPC, he hoped the Budget session of parliament would be a productive and peaceful one.
"On account of the controversy relating to allocation of 2G spectrum, the winter session of Parliament was lost. Our country can ill-afford this...in paralyzing Parliament, we all do disservice to those who have elected us...It is in these special circumstances that our government agrees to a JPC...we are a functioning democracy and must try to resolve our difference is the spirit of collaboration not competition" Prime Minister said.
The PM has been targeted for suggesting recently in a Q and A session with senior news editors that the pressure of coalition politics may have allowed Mr. Raja a freer hand than he was entitled to when he allocated 2G spectrum in 2008 at throwaway prices to companies that he favoured. Mr. Raja belongs to the DMK, which is a key partner in the UPA government at the Centre. In Tamil Nadu, the Congress supports the DMK government.
"This government can't control prices, is ineffective at decision-making, and is failing to provide honest governance," said Mr. Jaitley. "Home Minister P Chidambaram said at the World Economic Forum at Davos that there is a governance deficit....but there is a trust deficit between those who govern and the rest of the country. There also seems to be a trust deficit between the party in power and the government in power. There is a leadership deficit. There is a serious competence deficit," he said.