Government agrees to opposition demand, says PM may speak on coal issue

NEW DELHI: Bowing to opposition demand for ending the stand-off, government today agreed to an intervention by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament on missing files related to coal block allocations when it comes up for discussion tomorrow.

Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal will make a statement tomorrow which will be followed by a discussion immediately after Zero Hour, Rajya Sabha deputy Chairman P J Kurien told the House.

"We are ready. The Prime Minister will be there. The debate can take place after Zero Hour," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla said when members wanted to know when the House would take up the debate.

Shukla had earlier told the House, "Prime Minister may also intervene in case it is required."

Earlier in the day, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath asserted in the Lok Sabha that "the government has nothing to hide and nothing to conceal" in the missing files matter and that the Prime Minister "can intervene" in a debate on a statement by Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal.

"The Coal Minister will make a statement. Thereafter a discussion can be held in the House in which the Prime Minister can intervene," Nath said after a strong demand by opposition parties.

Opposition has been stalling Parliament over the issue of files related to coal block allocations going missing and has been pressing for a statement by the Prime Minister to end the stand-off.

Prior to Nath's assurance, the Lok Sabha saw unanimous demand by Opposition members seeking clarification from the Prime Minister on the missing files.