Pranab Mukherjee appeals to opposition to let Parliament function

Ruling out a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum scam, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee today appealed to the opposition parties to let Parliament function so that a debate on the issue could take place.

"I have requested them (opposition) to come back to the House and let the whole issue be debated in Parliament. Let them say whatever they want to say on the floor of the house and the government will respond," he told reporters here.

"As soon as the CAG (on the 2G spectrum) report came, the matter was referred to PAC. It is a permanent JPC having members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Therefore, PAC itself is the JPC. I don't understand why the JPC should be there," he said.

Mukherjee said it is the constitutional responsibility of the PAC to examine the report of the CAG.

He said side by side all relevant inquiries were going on.

On the government's effort to end the stalemate in Parliament, Mukherjee, the leader of the Lok Sabha, said the Speaker had called a meeting of all parties and there were several formal and informal discussions.