CVC PJ Thomas distances himself from 2G scam

Amid growing speculations about his exit as Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), PJ Thomas on Thursday distanced himself from the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

?It (2G scam) happened between 2007 and 2008 when I was not the telecom secretary. I was not present at the time the spectrum was allotted,? Thomas told reporters here.

Asked about the apex court?s stand against him, Thomas said: ?As far as Supreme Court’s comments are concerned, it is a subjudice matter and I would not want to comment on the court.

I am very impartial and take judicious decisions as per the law on every matter that comes to me.?

“I am morally clear. My conscience is very clear. I am continuing as CVC,” he added.

On Wednesday, the Union Government assured the Supreme Court Thomas would not supervise the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI?s) inquiry into country’s biggest scam.

The government assurance came a day after the apex court had said it might not be appropriate for Thomas to supervise the CBI probe into the 2G scandal.

” To maintain with the highest tradition of the country, Thomas has offered to rescue himself from the matter,” Solicitor General Gopal Subramanuium told a bench comprising justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly.

The two judges on Tuesday had questioned the CVC’s credibility as head of the anti-corruption watchdog and his ability to oversee the probe into the scam.

“The CVC was telecom secretary and justified the action (specturm allotment) that is now subject to scrutiny by this court and the CBI. It would be difficult for him to objectively supervise It,” the apex court had observed.

The government’s latest statement meant that 60-year-old PJ Thomas would not quit now from the CVC as many speculated for past weeks after the court’s adverse comments and protests from the Opposition parties.

Earlier SC Chief Justice SH Kapadia had also questioned the appointment of tainted bureaucrat as the CVC.

The former Telecom Secretary was appointed to the CVC’s post by a three-member panel headed by Prime Minister Manhoman Singh.