2G scam: JPC report may be delayed

The drafting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee report on 2G scam could be delayed with key United Progressive Alliance ally Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam insisting on calling former Telecom Minister A Raja as a witness.

"If Raja is to be called, he will be the last witness. If DMK agrees on not calling him, then today we have concluded calling witnesses before JPC and we would focus on writing the report," Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on 2G scam P C Chacko told reporters after the meeting.

DMK on Tuesday insisted on calling Raja and Swan Telecom's Shahid Balwa. They also demanded calling Attorney General G E Vahanvati again following his deposition in which he blamed Raja on a variety of issues.

Last week Chacko had said that after hearing CBI and the DoT in today's meeting, the panel would conclude gathering evidences from witnesses and start writing the draft report so that it could be tabled in Parliament by March 31 during the recess of the Budget Session.

Sources said Chacko told members that as an accused has legal protection, he cannot make fresh revelations before any committee. Therefore, there was no point in calling Balwa and Raja.

They said Chacko will soon take a final call on the issue.

Calling Finance Minister P Chidambaram as a witness, as demanded by the opposition, has already been ruled out as the committee must have a unanimous resolution to call a present minister. With UPA opposed to the demand, unanimity is not possible.