Date:17/12/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/12/17/stories/2002121707631300.htm

National

Did not abstain for fun: Shatrughan Sinha

New Delhi Dec 16. Faced with complaints from MPs about his absence from Parliament, the Health Minister, Shatrughan Sinha, today told the Lok Sabha that he does not stay away for ``fun'' but for ``official work''.

``If I am away from the House it is with the permission of the Chair and the Prime Minister,'' he said. Giving a personal clarification during a calling attention motion on non-availability of medicines in CGHS dispensaries, causing hardships to serving and retired government employees among others.

``I do not absent myself from Parliament for fun. If I am away, it is on official work,''Mr. Sinha said in response to allegations by MPs that the film star-turned politician is busy shooting movies.

In a bid to mollify Mr. Sinha, the CPI(M) leader, Somnath Chatterjee, told him not to be ``so touchy''. — PTI