JPC will not hamper PAC probe in 2G scam: Joshi

Dr Murali Manohar Joshi, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, has said that the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the 2G spectrum scam would in no way hamper the job of the PAC that is investigating the massive scam right now.

He was reacting to the statement made by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee that once the JPC was announced, the ongoing probe by PAC will amount to duplication of work as two parallel committees of Parliament will be looking into the same issue.

"You are indirectly supporting my contention. What would be the use of having a PAC looking into the same scam once the formation of a JPC is announced," Mukherjee had told journalists after the budget session of Parliament kicked off on Monday.

Mukherjee held a series of meetings with various members of Parliament, including Home Minister P Chidambaram, to give a final shape to the terms of reference of the committee. A resolution would be moved in the Lok Sabha by the government on Tuesday to announce the formation of a JPC.

P A Chako, one of the three Congress leaders reportedly in the running for the post of the chairman of the JPC, also met Mukherjee to discuss the issue.

"I will meet mediapersons (about the JPC) on Tuesday," said Mukherjee.