SP pitches for discussion on PM’s statement

Wanting to put an end to Parliament logjam on the issue of coal block allocations, the SP has pitched in strongly for a discussion on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement on the issue.

Wanting to put an end to Parliament logjam on the issue of coal block allocations, the SP has pitched in strongly for a discussion on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement on the issue.

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With political parties including the CPM, BJD, DMK, RJD and the TDP joining issue with the SP's position at today's meeting of the Lok Sabha Business Advisory Committee (BAC); speaker Meira Kumar accepted the demand and allotted time of four hours for discussions on the Prime Minister's statement on Tuesday.

Parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal requested the Speaker to allot time for a discussion on the subject after ascertaining views of different political parties.

Minister of state for parliamentary affairs Rajiv Shukla was among those present at the BAC meeting from the Congress side, besides others including Girja Vyas and Sanjay Nirupam.

The proposal, moved by Shailendra Kumar (SP), found immediate support from non-NDA partners at the BAC meeting. If the house functions, the discussions will take place under Rule 193, sources said.

At the BAC meeting, the JD (U) representative — a constituent of the NDA — is understood to have expressed favor for a discussion, while clarifying that his party would go along with the decision taken by all NDA partners.