Uproar in House,but govt passes supplementary grants

A day after Speaker Meira Kumar’s all-party meet failed to break the deadlock in Parliament over the 2G spectrum row,the government on Wednesday managed to conduct some essential business in Lok Sabha amid the din created by the Opposition.The Lok Sabha passed the Supplementary Demand for Grants for 2010-11 and Appropriation Bill by a voice vote with support from the packed Treasury benches but without any debate as the Opposition shouted slogans in the well of the House. The ruling UPA parties had issued whips to ensure the presence of their members to facilitate the passage of the Finance Bill,crucial for the functioning of the government.The Opposition,which shouted slogans demanding a JPC probe into the 2G row,indirectly assisted the government in conducting the essential business. While the Opposition members trooped into the well of the House,they did not come in the way of Finance Minister Pranab MukherjeeBJP Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha S S Ahluwalia said Mukherjee had reached out to Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday,seeking her support for the transaction of essential financial business.The NDA leaders discussed the government’s request on Wednesday and felt it should allow passage of the demands for grants since it was a constitutional obligation.Advani,sources said,was of the view that the Opposition should not create a constitutional crisis by blocking passage of the demands for grants.“BJP’s fight is with the government and not with the constitution,” Ahluwalia said. “I am not at all happy the way we had to pass the supplementary demands in the din,” Mukherjee told reporters after the House was adjourned for the day amid the Opposition uproar.Sources said the government was planning to bring in demands for grants of Railways on Thursday to finish the essential financial business in the Lok Sabha.Apart from the Supplementary Demand,Law Minister Veerappa Moily introduced the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill,2010. Rajya Sabha could not transact much business as it witnessed a repeat of unruly scenes and was adjourned for the day.