Mayawati, Yadavs help Govt defeat cut motions

The first and the second cut motions proposed by the Opposition against the budget proposals to hike prices of fuels and fertilisers were defeated in Lok Sabha and the treasury looked confident of passing the test of strength. The government defeated the motion by 246 votes to 162.

The first and the second cut motions proposed by the Opposition against the budget proposals to hike prices of fuels and fertilisers were defeated in Lok Sabha and the treasury looked confident of passing the test of strength. The government defeated the motion by 246 votes to 162.

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Even as the debate started in the House Lalu Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav staged a walk out.

Lalu Yadav said he will not vote with the Bharatiya Janata Party against the government and Mayawati also extended a hand of support.

The cut motions, proposed anytime ahead of the guillotine, is expected to call for reducing the budgetary support for the ministries of petroleum and fertilisers by a token Re 1 to lodge dissent and called "disapproval of policy cut" as per parliamentary procedures.

When budget proposals are presented in parliament for approval, a lawmaker or a party can question specific allocations with a cut motion. If it is carried in the house, it amounts to a vote of no confidence and the government is obliged to quit.

But the treasury was confident of braving the dissent.