Wednesday, April 20 2005 19:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Phukan Commission report on the Tehelka expose would be tabled in the current session of Parliament, Law Minister H R Bhardwaj assured the Rajya Sabha today (Apr 20, 2005). The Minister's assurance followed a directive from Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who quoted rules to say that any inquiry commission report would have to be tabled within six months of its submission.

The report was submitted to the Government in February 2004 and the Chairman wanted a clear assurance from the Government in this regard after a demand from Opposition members during Zero Hour.

The Government pleaded that there was a legal controversy and, hence, was seeking the Law Commission's opinion on the matter, Bhardwaj said, but the Chairman emphasised that the rules were clear on the matter and that the Government should abide by them.

Bhardwaj then said that the report, still lying in a sealed cover, will now be examined expeditiously and tabled during the current session. "We are not running away."

The issue came up when Leader of the Opposition Jaswant Singh took the Kargil defence purchase issue and said that it would only be appropriate that the Government table the Phukan Commission, as also the CVC report to facilitate a full-fledged discussion.

Earlier, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachouri said that the Phukan Commission had submitted the first part of the three-part report and the CBI was also probing the issue.

Hence, the Government has sought opinion of the Law Commission, Pachouri said, adding that the Government was committed to "transparency" in the matter.

But Jaswant Singh and former Law Minister Arun Jaitley pointed out it was not an interim report and rules clearly stated that any final report would have to tabled within six months and the Government had no option on this score.

Demanding a full-fledged discussion, Jaswant Singh said, "We want that the issue of defence procurement should be very transparent. We are making allegations and counter-allegations. We are making a comment on our armed forces."

Referring to reports alleging payment of commission on Indian defence purchases by a South African arms manufacturer, Jaswant Singh said that the issue should also be inquired into.

These issues needed to be addressed with all seriousness to evolve a proper mechanism on the weapons procurement, he said.