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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to make a statement today in Parliament on the missing files related to coal blocks allocation.
On Thursday, the united opposition repeatedly targeted a silent PM in the Rajya Sabha and asked him to explain how key files connected to the allegedly illegal allocation of coal blocks to private firms went missing.
Later, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said in the Lok Sabha that the Prime Minister "can intervene" in a debate on a statement by Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal on the issue.
Prior to Nath's assurance, the Lok Sabha saw unanimous demand by the Opposition members seeking clarification from the PM on the missing files.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said that the files belonged to the period when "the Prime Minister was in charge" of the Coal Ministry from 2006 to 2009.
A similar indication was given in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla after AIADMK members stalled Question Hour seeking response from the Prime Minister on the issue.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has said that it will not let Parliament run until the PM explains how crucial files connected to the alleged illegal allocation of coal blocks went missing.
The opposition got together to force adjournment of the Lok Sabha on another issue, after Nath moved the motion to suspend 11 members — seven of the Congress and four of Telugu Desam Party — from Andhra Pradesh for "disturbing proceedings regularly".
The ruling Congress party is looking to pass the major bills like pension and Food Security Bill in the monsoon session. But the Opposition hasn't allowed Parliament to function smoothly over a numbers of issues.
