NDA complains of less work

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which boycotted the last two sessions of Parliament, today complained that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government by not listing any legislative business was "setting a dangerous trend".

Only two Bills were introduced today. After that there was no other business scheduled. The NDA raised the issue after question hour, when Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad stated legislative business for the coming week for the Lok Sabha. The statement included only the Bill to set up a board for minority education.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesman VK Malhotra raised objection to this. "It is unfortunate. There is no legislative business listed between 2 pm to 3.30 pm today except tabling of two Bills, one by Finance Minister P Chidambaram and the other by Minister of State for Personnel and Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachauri," he said.

"Given that this is a brief session and the government says it has 40 new Bills and six old ones to be introduced and cleared in this session, this idleness is dangerous," Malhotra said.

At this, Azad taunted the Opposition about their stalling of the last two sessions. "You are remembering legislative business now, when you have no issues to paralyse the House. Be ashamed of you bankruptcy of issues," he said.

Reacting to the minister's remark, Kharabela Swain (BJP) said instead of pointing fingers the government should set its own house in order. BC Khanduri (BJP) said the parliamentary affairs minister's remarks were not warranted. "This is a serious affair and does not warrant anger but concern," he said.

The NDA also raised the issue of the privilege motion it has asked to be moved against Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, who has been accused of misleading the House by denying that he had said anything against Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.

Eight NDA members have filed for the motion, and Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said he would consider the matter.

"Since the motion of privilege requires consultation with the member against whom it is being sought, I cannot decide right now," Chatterjee said.

The last day of the week saw a poor attendance in the Lok Sabha. At one point only Finance Minister P Chidambaram was representing the council of ministers.

It is hoped that things will improve as more legislative business is set to come up, especially the Bill proposing a board for minority education.