Mistry points to Arun Jaitley's absence, triggers war of words in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: A Congress member questioned the absence of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Rajya Sabha today at a particular point of time during a debate on the Finance Bill, triggering a war of words with Minister of State for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman who strongly objected to his comments.

At one point of time during the debate, Mistry pointed out that the Finance Minister was not present in the House when the House was discussing the Finance Bill. He claimed Jaitley was in Central Hall of Parliament instead of being in the Rajya Sabha and was thus undermining the dignity of the House. "He (Jaitley) should be here," Mistry said.

Taking strong objection, Sitharaman said Jaitley was earlier in the Rajya Sabha and had gone to the Lok Sabha at that particular time as that House was discussing another finance related matter. The Lok Sabha was discussing Delhi Budget at that time which was later replied to by Jaitley.

Sitharaman said two Cabinet ministers were sitting in the Rajya Sabha and she herself was taking note of the points being raised by different speakers.

Amid the uproar and war of words, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien intervened to say that since Sitharaman said Jaitley was in the other House, he would take the MoS on face value. Jaitley had earlier moved the Finance Bill for passage in the Rajya Sabha. Earlier, the members had demanded that the crucial Bill should be moved by Jaitley himself.