Govt to work for passage of pending bills: Chidambaram

Says will continue with efforts for passage of food security, land acquisition Bills

With the Lok Sabha passing the Finance Bill and Demands for Grants for various ministries, Government today said it will continue with its efforts for passage of other bills on food security and land acquisition, which are "equally important".

"I don't think it is correct to say that with the passage of Finance Bill, the government's concerns are over or its interest is over. All other bills in my view are equally important and I think an effort must be made to pass them," Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters outside Parliament.

Chidambaram's remarks come amid clear indications from the party that it was keen that the proposed laws on food security and land acquisition are passed in this session.

To a question on whether he is hopeful that these bills will be passed in the Budget session itself, the Finance Minister merely said, "We are ready to debate and pass the bills."

He was talking to reporters soon after the Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill and Demands for Grants for various ministries without debate after Opposition walkout.

There is speculation that the Houses could be adjourned sine die if the government fails to reach an agreement with Opposition, which is disrupting Parliament functioning on coal scam issue and demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Law Minister Aswhani Kumar.

The Finance Minister refused to answer whether the Law Minister will continue.

In a big embarrassment to the government in the Coalgate case, the Supreme Court today termed as "very disturbing" the CBI affidavit on sharing its report with the Law Minister and others and slammed the agency for having kept the court in the dark on the issue.