Govt rules out JPC probe into CWG,Adarsh

When asked if the JPC would look into other scams too,as demanded by the BJP,Bansal said Leaders of Opposition Sushma Swaraj (Lok Sabha) and Arun Jaitley (Rajya Sabha) know that a JPC could be constituted only to look in to “one definite issue.”

“It is a premature question at the moment,” Bansal said. “This question would arise only after we decide to set up a JPC. We are still in the process of discussing (the issue) with other parties.”

On whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would appear before the JPC,Bansal said it was for the panel to take a decision and then secure the permission of the Speaker. The Prime Minister,according to sources,could make an intervention in Lok Sabha when a motion is moved for setting up a JPC.

They cited the example of then prime minister P V Narasimha Rao,who had made a statement when a JPC was instituted to lppk into the Harshad Mehta scam. Given the precedence,the motion could be moved either by the minister concerned — Kapil Sibal — or the Parliamentary Affairs Minister,Bansal.

Regarding the composition of the JPC,Bansal said the strength of similar committees in the past had ranged between 15 and 31 members. The Rajya Sabha was entitled to half the number of the Lok Sabha slots. The chairmanship in the present case had to go to a senior Congress MP from the Lok Sabha. The four Left parties,according to Bansal,had stated in writing that they be considered one group.

There are 37 parties in Parliament,of whom only seven — Congress,BJP,SP,BSP,JD(U),Trinamool Congress and DMK — are sure to find representation in the JPC. Others can get in if their allies chose to pass a share to them.

Though the main task before the government in this session is to push through the financial business,it has lined up 32 bills for introduction. Another 31 have been listed for consideration and passing.

However,the long list does not include the much touted Food Security Bill or the Lokpal Bill. “They are unlikely to be introduced in the session,” Bansal said.

On what prompted the government to plan Communal Violence (Prevention,Control and Rehabilitation of victims) Bill despite the National Advisory Council pitching in for a comprehensive measure,Bansal said the rule-book provided for official amendments in the course of consideration.

The twin Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill and The Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill,which had faced opposition from the Trinamool Congress earlier,figured among the 32 bills.