The Hindu : Front Page : Bansal resigns as head of probe panel

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Friday, Jan 27, 2006

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Bansal resigns as head of probe panel

Special Correspondent

"My presence as Chairman should not colour judgment"

NEW DELHI: Congress Lok Sabha member from Chandigarh, Pawan Kumar Bansal, has resigned as Chairman of the Special Committee of the House set up to probe the allegations of misuse of Member of Parliament's Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds.

The resignation came a day after allegations were levelled against him by a private news channel that he himself had spent a part of his MPLAD fund on the Chandigarh Golf Club.

Mr. Bansal headed the Lok Sabha Committee that recommended the expulsion of 10 MPs for their involvement in the cash-for-query scam.

Talking to The Hindu over phone from Chandigarh, Mr. Bansal said he had put in his papers because his presence as Chairman of the panel should not "colour" his judgment on the issue.

"Allegations baseless"

Dismissing the allegations against him as "baseless and part of a vilification campaign," he said it seemed to be an attempt to sidetrack the ongoing probe.

He said an MP had only recommendatory powers under the MPLADS, and the implementation was entirely entrusted to the district authorities.

He had never visited the Chandigarh Golf Club, barring one occasion when he met the caddies to discuss their problems. He did not know that the club had granted him honorary membership. At the Committee meeting on Wednesday, he preferred to opt out on the ground that it should not colour his judgement. However, it is understood that Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee had asked him to reconsider his decision.

Mr. Bansal said he would talk to the party leadership before taking a final view.

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