Agitated over the alleged diversion of funds from Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe welfare schemes towards the Commonwealth Games, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) members disrupted proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday.
While Rajya Sabha with Satish Chandra Mishra (BSP) leading the charge witnessed disturbances right from the start, his party colleague Dara Singh (BSP) raised the issue during question hour in the Lok Sabha.
“It shows the real mentality of the government which pretends to be pro-Dalit,” Mr. Mishra said.
Supported by his colleagues who stormed the Well of the Lok Sabha demanding a probe, Mr. Singh said such brazen “bungling” of money would not be allowed by the party. When repeated attempts by Speaker Meira Kumar failed to restore normality, she adjourned the House for 30 minutes.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister P. K. Bansal refuted the charges saying no diversion of funds had taken place and assured the BSP members that he would look into it. When the House re-assembled, the BSP members were again on their feet, supported this time by the Rashtriya Janata Dal's Lalu Prasad and Janata Dal (U) president Sharad Yadav.
In both Houses, the BSP contended it had given notices for discussion and wanted the presiding officers to immediately decide whether or not the demand was being accepted. When Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar expressed her inability to do so, the BSP members walked out in protest.
RS discussion
In the Rajya Sabha, a short duration discussion was allowed after three adjournments. Brinda Karat (Communist Party of India-Marxist) said, “They have taken away a major chunk of the money meant for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, it is not Commonwealth Games, it is Lootwealth games.''
“The Planning Commission is headed by the Prime Minister. It happened with their permission,” she added. D. Raja (CPI) described the alleged diversion as an “unpardonable offence” which amounted to betrayal of the Constitutional responsibility given to the government.
“It is a serious matter, I will apprise the (State) government and the government will come back with the information shortly,” Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prithviraj Chauhan assured the members.
