RS to debate issue today

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is also the convenor of the UPA-Left panel on the nuclear deal, added: 8220;We are ready for a debate, but the Opposition has to allow it.8221; He said the Government was ready to take up the issue in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow, and in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The Lok Sabha is scheduled to take up short-duration discussions on Sachar Committee report and price rise tomorrow.

Mukherjee also said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may intervene in the debate if the situation so demanded. 8220;It depends on the situation,8221; he said.

Though leader of the Opposition L K Advani maintained that the Government had pre-empted the nuclear deal debate by setting up the UPA-Left mechanism, sources in the Opposition camp agreed that they would have to participate in the discussion if it was held. 8220;We are scheduled to have a meeting of the BJP parliamentary party tomorrow morning, which will be followed by a meeting of NDA leaders later,8221; said these sources.

Amidst the ongoing drama on the nuclear issue, both Congress and the Left sought to highlight the Sachar Committee report. They blamed the BJP for paralysing both Houses and stalling a discussion on the measures taken for the welfare of the minority community.