Supplementary demands for grants cleared

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the supplementary demands for grants for 2010-11 by a voice vote. With the government scheduled to complete its financial business by Thursday, there are indications that the Lok Sabha may be adjourned sine die this week, instead of December 13.

Although the session has remained paralysed because of the government-Opposition stand off over instituting a joint parliamentary committee to probe the 2G spectrum allocation, BJP on Wednesday agreed to the government’s suggestion to complete mandatory financial business to avoid a constitutional crisis.

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee had conveyed the government’s concern to Opposition Leader Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday night, after a meeting convened by Speaker Meira Kumar failed to end the logjam in Parliament. Ms Swaraj gave her nod after a meeting of NDA leaders on Wednesday morning chaired by L K Advani.

“It was decided that since our fight was with the government and not the constitution, we should agree to allow passage of financial business,” BJP leader S S Ahluwalia told reporters later.

Amid the din, law minister M Veerappa Moily introduced the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010, which seeks to lay down judicial standards and provide for accountability of judges. However, the Opposition, determined to stall proceedings unless the government agrees to its demand for a JPC, is unlikely to allow transaction of any other legislative business.

Along with the Demands for Grants (General), finance minister Pranab Mukherjee also moved the relevant Appropriation Bills, which authorise payment and appropriation of money from the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the financial year 2010-11. These were also passed by a voice vote.

The Lok Sabha will take up the Demands for Grants (Railways) on Thursday. With this, the House would complete the crucial finance business. However, the Opposition has no indication about the government’s mind: Whether it would curtail the winter session after completion of mandatory business.