PM may intervene in Parliament on missing coal files: Govt

The monsoon session will also be extended by one more week till Sept 5

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may intervene in the discussion on several files pertaining to coal block allocations going missing, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla said today.

 

Shukla made the announcement after main opposition BJP and AIADMK stalled Question Hour in Rajya Sabha seeking response from the Prime Minister on the issue of missing files.

"Prime Minister may also intervene in case it is required," Shukla told the House, which saw a brief adjournment after it met for the day.     

 

He said that in response to demands by Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley and several members, Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal made a statement on the issue on Tuesday.     

 

"Some clarifications were sought (and) clarifications were given. (However) it remained inconclusive. We are ready to conclude that discussion and if necessary Prime Minister may also intervene," he said.

The response came after Jaitley said the opposition was not convinced by Jaiswal's statement and Prime Minister should give clarification.     

 

"Prime Minister is in the House... Prime Minister should give his reaction," he said as Singh watched the proceedings from his seat.    

V Maitreyan (AIADMK), who had given a notice for suspension of Question Hour, said missing of important files has been termed by CBI Director as a "serious set back" to investigation.     

 

The CBI director had stated that "you can draw your own conclusions" when asked if there was a conspiracy in files going missing, Maitreyan said, adding this was a serious issue and "Prime Minister necessarily needs to intervene and clarify the matter."     

 

Earlier, when the House met Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP) said Jaiswal should not have made the statement as it was in conflict of interest since he was arbitrator in deciding on a family feud in AMR Co, which was a beneficiary of coal block allocation.

Chairman Hamid Ansari said there was a procedure to be followed, but Prasad insisted that the Prime Minister should assure the House that all cooperation will be extended to CBI in investigating the case.

Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) sought a response from the Prime Minister on the falling rupee value against the US dollar and an "economic emergency" like situation developing in the country.

When Maitreyan raised the issue of his notice for suspension of Question Hour, Ansari said, "There will be no suspension of Question Hour. If you want, have a discussion (on the issue)."

As Shukla stood up to speak, Maitreyan continued with his demand. At this point, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Narayanasamy asked him to sit down and listen to what Shukla was saying.

"Minister is standing," Narayanasamy said. To this an angry Maitreyan, shot back, "who are you" and continued to repeat the statement several times.

The statement evoked sharp response from the treasury benches who protested Maitreyan's remark. Opposition benches too joined in the uproar, following which Ansari adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

When the House reassembled, Ram Vilas Paswan (LJP) wanted the House to condole the death of anti-superstition campaigner Narendra Dabhoklar in Pune. He was supported by Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M).

Ansari said any resolution requires consensus. "Please consult your colleagues and come back," he said.

Paswan continued to raise the issue even after Ansari asked Jaitley to make his submission.

Jaitley said his party was in support of it.