Will Raja participate in 2G debate in Parliament?

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar today said she has not yet received a request from former Telecom Minister A Raja to participate in the debate on 2G spectrum allocation scam.

Mr Raja was arrested on February 2 for criminal conspiracy and corruption, and is now in jail. He was Telecom Minister in 2008 when he allegedly gave mobile licenses at throwaway prices to companies that were ineligible.

"Let his request come, then I will consider," Kumar told reporters outside Parliament House. Mr Raja has reportedly requested his party, the DMK, to allow him to take part in the debate.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced this morning that the government will constitute a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the allocation of 2G spectrum.

The Opposition did not let the Winter session of Parliament function over the government's refusal to set up a JPC. It had threatened to paralyze the Budget session of parliament if a JPC was not sanctioned.

A formal motion for the appointment of the JPC will be moved by Telecom
Minister Kapil Sibal on Thursday. Four hours have been set aside for a debate on JPC formation after the motion is moved.


Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/will-raja-participate-in-2g-debate-in-parliament-86992?cp