PM to reply on Indo-US N-deal on Aug 23

The Lok Sabha will discuss the Indo-US nuclear deal during a short duration discussion on August 23.

The Lok Sabha will discuss the Indo-US nuclear deal during a short duration discussion on August 23, followed by a reply by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

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Before that on Tuesday, the House will discuss the Pathak Authority Report on Volcker allegations, according to Parliamentary Affairs Minister PR Dasmunsi.

Dasmunsi told reporters in New Delhi that the Government had no objection to the debate on the Pathak Authority Report. "We shall respond to debate."

Thanking Rajya Sabha members, he said the Upper House had, by and large, endorsed the views of the Prime Minister on the nuclear deal as evidenced by the debate on Thursday. The PM's intervention has justified the UPA stand, he added.

Dasmunsi said the remaining business of the Government in Parliament would be disposed of next week. The new Bills to be brought forward included Factories Bill, Union Territory of Pondicherry Bill and Banking Laws pertaining to transfers Bill. The fate of the other Bills would be known on Monday.

It was only after Friday's Cabinet meeting that it would be known whether Scheduled Caste Amendment Bill may find a slot in this Session, he said.

Asked about the Right to Information Bill, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said he would be able to tell about it on Monday. "If I can find a slot for it then it will come in the Rajya Sabha," he said, adding, "It may not find a slot so quickly in Parliament."

Dasmunsi described as 'rubbish' former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi's charge against Congress President that she was the person behind the filing of FIRs by the CBI in a case against her.