India mulls cross-party probe into telecom scandal

A decision on a cross-party probe into massive telecom scandal in India who rattled the federal government could be taken as early as next week, an official said Friday.

India's opposition parties have been vociferously demanding the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set up a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) for a broader investigation into the alleged multi-billion dollar scam.

Several high-profile company executives interviewed by the federal police in connection with the alleged sales below cost of radio waves in 2008.

Researchers have also arrested A. Raja, who quit as minister when the scandal battered telecom Singh coalition government.

Politicians, bureaucrats and corporate officials in the probe have denied any wrongdoing.

Indian Parliament is due to meet for its main budget session from Monday. Opposition calls for a cross-party investigation into the awarding of the 2008 mobile phone licenses paralyzed from the previous meeting.

Conventionally, a joint parliamentary committee announced when parliament is in session, Parliamentary Affairs Ministry spokeswoman Sheyphali Sharan, said. . A decision on the opposition demand, therefore, is expected in two to three days, she explained.

Prime Minister Singh of India, considered the architect of economic reforms the country has come under intense attack by his critics for his handling of corruption in government.

"I'm not afraid to appear before a committee, including a JPC," Singh told a press conference on Wednesday as he sought to defend his administration against a barrage of accusations.

He insists violators will be punished.

According to the government audit, the Treasury lost up to 31 billion U.S. dollars from the 2008 sale of the second generation of wireless spectrum. The damning audit report came on the heels of allegations of massive fraud in the sports and real estate.

Researchers have been probing complaints of financial crime in the Commonwealth Games hosted by India in October last year.

And various politicians, military officers and bureaucrats are the subjects of a separate investigation for allegedly taking apartments meant for war widows.