2G scam: Majority vote cannot determine probe panel's decisions, says Yashwant Sinha

NEW DELHI: BJP leader Yashwant Sinha has shot off a letter to JPC chairman PC Chacko, questioning his contention that all decisions of the committee probing the 2G scam should be decided by a majority vote. BJP's six JPC members, including Sinha, have stayed away from the last two sittings of the panel, insisting that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and finance minister P Chidambaram be asked to appear as witnesses before the panel.

"I shall continue to believe that good sense will prevail and you will agree to our request. Parliament of India and a parliamentary committee cannot encourage corruption on the basis of majority," Sinha said responding to Chacko's letter.

JPC chairman had cited Rule 261 of the Rules of Procedure of Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha to say that all questions at any sitting of a committee shall be determined by a majority vote.

"Despite the existence of Rule 261, committees have functioned on the basis of consensus rather than on the basis of votes. As far as PAC is concerned, it is clearly stated that decisions of the committees are unanimous and that there are no minutes of dissent to the report," Sinha said.

He also said Chacko had not yet prepared a final list of witnesses or put any of the suggestions in the committee to vote and therefore, to allude that members of the committee are opposed to his suggestions was not based on facts.

Sinha also said that the issue of a member of the panel appearing as witness before it had already been settled by the Speaker. "Your reference to the Speaker has already been turned down in the note of the secretary general of October 12, as premature as the committee has not taken a view in this matter. This is a reflection on the entire committee," he said.

BJP stepped up the ante against the prime minister following Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar's statement that he had written to the PM that the exchequer could make 36,000 crore from licence. BJP claimed that this vindicated its stand that it was futile to continue the panel's proceedings unless the PM and the finance minister were called.