The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Monday expressed hope that the Budget Session, which commenced today, would be peaceful and productive of results.

This remark comes amidst expectations that the Government will on Tuesday move a resolution for setting up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the 2G spectrum allocations made in 2008.

Stating that the budget session of Parliament was “very crucial,” Dr Singh told reporters at the Parliament House that the Government hopes to bring some important pieces of legislation for the consideration of Parliament during the current session. The budget session will be in two phases — the first up to March 16 and the second from April 4 to April 21.

JPC on 2G

Indications are that the Telecom Minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, will move a motion in Parliament on Tuesday for setting up a JPC and the Lok Sabha Speaker, Ms Meira Kumar, will decide on the terms of reference of the JPC.

The Centre has been under Opposition's attack over a series of scams that has rocked the country in the recent months including 2G spectrum allocations, Adarsh Housing, Commonwealth Games and ISRO S-band. The Winter Session of Parliament was a washout with the Opposition disrupting proceedings and insisting on a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum allocation scam of 2008.

The Prime Minister had on Sunday said that he was looking forward to a fruitful and productive session of Parliament. “The Government is ready to discuss any issue which may be brought by the Opposition,” Dr Singh had said.

Among the names doing the rounds for the post of JPC Chairman are Mr Kishore Chandra Deo, Mr P.C. Chacko and Ms Girija Vyas. All are from the Congress Party and are also members of Parliament.

>krsrivats@thehindu.co.in

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