Government to set up JPC to probe 2G scam

Giving in to the long standing opposition demand, the prime minister today said the government would set up a JPC to probe the 2G spectrum scam. The prime minister said the country could ''ill afford'' the disruption of the crucial budget session of parliament.

Making the announcement in Lok Sabha as it opened from  the first working day of the session, Singh said a formal motion for constitution of the Joint Parliamentary Committee would be moved soon.

Singh said the government could not succeed despite its sincere efforts to persuade the opposition not to insist on a JPC probe.

He added that his government was committed to root out corruption, and said "all effective steps" had been taken to convince the opposition in this regard.

''The winter session was lost and the country cannot afford to lose another session. Our Government is committed to root out corruption."

"We can ill afford a situation where Parliament is not allowed to function during the crucial Budget session. It is in these special circumstances that our government agrees to the setting up of a JPC," he said.

Requesting speaker Meira Kumar to proceed with the process of formation of the JPC he said a formal motion to the effect would be moved soon.