Cong decision to forego Par allowance 'rubbish talk': CPI

NEW DELHI: CPI on Friday "rubbished" the decision of Congress MPs to forego their daily Parliament allowance of Rs 2,000 saying the ruling party was not focusing on the main issue of the House not functioning for a long period.

"This is all rubbish talk. Which MP gets employment from where, we all know about it. This is not the main issue," CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta told reporters outside Parliament.

He said the fight against the Government policies cannot just be inside Parliament and it has to be taken to the public forum also.

"The thing is that Parliament should not be disrupted for so long... Parliament should be allowed to function as ultimately the fate of political parties lies with the public," Dasgupta added.

The senior Left leader said to uncover the "biggest scam" of independent India, Government should agree for a Parliamentary probe as that is the "best alternative" available.

Asked to comment on suggestions that JPCs in the past have not been much fruitful, Dasgupta said, "this is all wrong. Maximum recommendations of the JPC formed to look into the Harshad Mehta scam were accepted and implemented."

On the issue of airlines increasing air-fares, he said the Government had brought in the 'open sky' policy to bring in more competitors in aviation sector to cut down the air fares "but these airlines were increasing fares by each day and common people are suffering."