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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | PAC to begin examining Radia tapes players by Neena Vyas

PAC to begin examining Radia tapes players by Neena Vyas

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published Published on Mar 14, 2011   modified Modified on Mar 14, 2011
Outlook, Open editors to testify, question of N.K. Singh recusal open

The Public Accounts Committee examining the CAG report on the 2G spectrum allocation affair seems to have made up its mind to examine the players featuring in, and connected to, the Radia tapes.

On Monday it will start with two editors, Vinod Mehta of Outlook and Manu Joseph of Open, who were among the first to publish transcripts of tapped conversations between corporate lobbyist Niira Radia and others.

The recordings exposed the strenuous efforts made by Ms. Radia, who represented corporate clients like Mukesh Ambani and Ratan Tata, to get DMK man A. Raja the job of Telecom Minister after the United Progressive Alliance won the Lok Sabha elections in May 2009.

The Radia tapes created a sensation as they revealed her efforts to use some top journalists in her work as a corporate lobbyist. A telephone conversation with Rajya Sabha member N.K. Singh also appeared in print. Ironically, Mr. Singh is now one of the members of the PAC that has asked Mr. Mehta and Mr. Joseph to appear before it.

Since the PAC started its work this is the first time that it will be examining persons connected to the sensational Radia tapes exposure. PAC chairman Murli Manohar Joshi was on Sunday non-committal on what exactly the committee would want out of Mr. Mehta and Mr. Joseph. And he did not rule out calling the major players in the Radia tapes in the days ahead.

“The Committee will decide whom to call. I cannot rule out anything or anyone. We will go step by step,” he told The Hindu.

Asked whether the presence of Mr. Singh, a Janata Dal-United MP, on his committee, would be proper considering that he figured in the Radia tapes admitting to trying to fix a debate in the Rajya Sabha in favour of Mr. Mukesh Ambani, Mr. Joshi said the Committee could take a view when it met. “If someone objects, we will see.”

Several attempts to call Mr. Singh did not yield any result as he did not answer his telephone. But Mr. Mehta did say that he thought Mr. Singh would recuse himself. And if he did not “I could raise the issue of his presence.”

Mr. Mehta said he had no idea what the Committee would ask him, but he felt that perhaps it might be interested in “our sources,” that is, it could ask where we got the Radia tapes from and how were we sure those were authentic before we decided to publish the taped conversations. “I am sure of one thing. On the issue of sources, it would be no go, but I would like to fully cooperate with the Committee on anything else the members may ask.”

Mr. Joseph confirmed his date with the Committee. “I don't want to say anything or speculate on what the Committee may ask. It is the Committee's discretion [why it decided to call me]. Let us see how it goes.” On the issue of Mr. Singh's presence, Mr. Joseph felt it was for the Committee to work that out.

The Hindu, 14 March, 2011, http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/14/stories/2011031455370800.htm


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