The Hindu : Protest over PAC issue continues

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 15, 2003

National

National

Protest over PAC issue continues

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI AUG. 14. The Opposition demand for a statement by the Prime Minister on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) imbroglio led to a stalemate in both the Houses of Parliament. In the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition Benches remained empty till the presiding officer enforced an early closure, while the Opposition disrupted all official business in the Lok Sabha and relented when the turn came for private members' business.

It was a full House in the morning but Opposition Members, barring those of Samajwadi Party and the AIADMK, silently filed out just before the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, was about to take his seat. The MPs were continuing the protest that began on Wednesday against the Government taking up official business before settling issues arising out of denial of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) report on major defence deals to the PAC. They later submitted a letter objecting to the Rajya Sabha Chairman's ruling.

The CPI(M) leader in the House, Nilotpal Basu, told presspersons that the Opposition would boycott the rest of the session ``as of now'' and continue to sign the attendance register but not draw any allowances for the period. It would also not attend the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), an all-party composition which draws up the weekly schedule.

In the Lok Sabha, Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi (Congress) raised a point of order as soon as the House assembled. He pointed out that according to rules, the conduct of a Lok Sabha member or that of a committee of the House like the PAC could only be commented upon by the Lok Sabha Speaker. In this context, he referred to the Wednesday's ruling by the Rajya Sabha Chairman on the PAC and appealed to the Speaker to intervene: ``The dignity and honour of the House is in your hands.''

The Congress and Left party MPs made the point that such a thing had never happened before. This was countered by V. K. Malhotra (Bharatiya Janata Party) and other BJP MPs.

The Speaker said that though the point raised by them was pertinent, he could not suspend question hour. Within minutes, Opposition MPs entered the well of the House, raising slogans against the Government. BJP and Samata MPs also countered with slogans against the Leader of the Opposition, Sonia Gandhi. In the din, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon.

When the House reassembled, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, objected to the references made to the Rajya Sabha Chairman by Mr. Dasmunshi. ``What he has said is unpardonable,'' she said. The Speaker assured the Minister that he would examine the records and expunge anything objectionable.

He asked some of the Ministers to table the papers listed in their names and later adjourned the House till 2 p.m.

When the House met again to take up the private members' business, Mr. Dasmunshi said the Opposition was not in favour of transgressing the rights of the private members and would not prevent the proceedings in any manner.

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