As Parliament was on Thursday rocked by issues like 2G Spectrum allocation, telephone tapping and IPL controversy, the Government assured the Lok Sabha that it will come before the House in these matters after the passage of the Finance Bill.
“On all these issues we will have the opportunity of discussing with various political parties. Either the Prime Minister or I will come to the House. But this will be done after the Finance Bill is passed,” Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in the Lok Sabha.
As opposition members, particularly those from AIADMK, trooped into the well demanding an assurance from the Government on the Spectrum issue, Mr. Mukherjee said, “I am not running away from the House. The session is there till May 7, there is time.”
Mr. Mukherjee told the AIADMK members that he will inform them about whether a discussion would be held on the Spectrum allocation issue by tomorrow.
“I cannot give any assurance now. Let me consider it. Let me examine the paper and consult my colleagues and tomorrow I will tell you. Let me look into it,” he said.
Assuring opposition support in the passage of the Finance Bill, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj said, “We will pass the Finance Bill by tomorrow. Opposition will not stall the Finance Bill. The passage is not only the responsibility of the Government, but also of a responsible opposition.”
Ms. Swaraj, however, said the opposition had been assured that there would be a discussion. “But the Prime Minister said ‘no’ (to JPC) outside the House. You have to say inside the House not outside,” she said.
“We have moved a privilege motion against the Prime Minister because when Parliament is in session, he has to speak inside Parliament,” she said.
“Will the PM come to the House and reply? Our question is that,” she said.
Earlier, BJP leader Yashwant Sinha wanted to know whether the Government planned a discussion on the issue in the House.
“This is a serious issue. We revert to the original demand that there should be a JPC. This is also linked to the IPL,” he said.
