Opposition Forces Deferment Of Discussion On General Budget Till Monday , Decries Absence Of Finance Minister
13 March, New Delhi
The opposition in the Lok Sabha today forced the deferment of a discussion on the General Budget 2015-16 till Monday.
The issue of absence of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during the discussion on General Budget, disrupted the proceedings in the Lok Sabha during pre-lunch session.
The House had to be adjourned twice on the issue first for 15 minutes till 1245 pm and then till 2.30 pm.
When the House reassembled at 12.45 pm, members from the opposition insisted that discussion must take place in the presence of Jatley as budget is one of the most important work of Parliament.
Responding to the concerns of members, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan ruled that she has allowed Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha to put the highlights of the budget as per procedures.
She said, Jaitley informed that in his absence, Sinha is authorized to remain present in the house and take note of the points raised by the members. Speaker said, the Finance Minister will be in the House on Monday and respond to the debate.
However, Leader of Congress in the House Mallikarujan Kahrge wanted the House to take up other business and to proceed with the discussion on Budget. Later, on the request of the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, the Speaker adjourned the House.
Earlier, the opposition led by Congress took serious exceptions when the Minster of State for Finance Jayant Sinha rose to speak. They complained that the Finance Minister was not present in the House when discussion on the budget was scheduled to begin.
Some members of Congress and RJD trooped into the well shouting slogans that Jaitley’s absence amounted to contempt of Parliament.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu informed the agitating members that Mr Jaitley is in United Kingdom to unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi.
Naidu appealed to the opposition to let the House to take up discussion on the Budget at the moment. At 2.30 PM when the House reassembled, it took up private member business.