LS passes supplementary demands for 2010-11 amid 2G uproar

After wasting 13 consecutive days, Parliament transacted some substantive business today as Lok Sabha passed the supplementary demands for 2010-11 amid pandemonium created by the Opposition over its demand for JPC probe into the 2G spectrum scam.

Undeterred by the opposition uproar, the government pushed the crucial financial bill through the Lower House by a voice vote without debate, before it was adjourned for the day in view of unruly scenes.

As Opposition members trooped into the well and continued slogan-shouting demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the 2G spectrum scam, Speaker Meira Kumar asked Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to move the Supplementary Demands for Grants (General) for 2010-11 and the relevant Appropriation Bills for passage.

After the House was adjourned, Mukherjee told reporters, "I am not at all happy the way we have to pass the supplementary demands in the din."

The demands and the bills were passed by voice vote by members of the treasury benches. Most parties of the ruling UPA coalition having issued a whip to ensure presence of all their members in the House in case the opposition pressed for a division.

The House also saw Law Minister Veerappa Moily introduce the crucial Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill 2010, amidst vociferous slogan shouting by Opposition members.

Earlier when the House met for the day, the Speaker made an obituary reference in the memory of former Minister and Haryana Governor Mahabir Prasad, following which it was adjourned till noon as Opposition members including those from BJP, AIADMK and Shiv Sena entered the well.

When the House reassembled, she read a statement on the occasion of the World AIDS Day. For the last 13 consecutive working days, no substantive business could be transacted because of the stand-off between the Opposition and the government.

In the Rajya Sabha, it was the repeat of scenes witnessed since November 10 with members from NDA and AIADMK rushing into the well to demand JPC.

The House was adjourned till noon by Chairman Hamid Ansari. When similar scenes were witnessed at noon, Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan adjourned it for the day.