Manmohan Singh, Speaker regret Opposition boycott

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Lok Sabha Speaker on Friday regretted the absence of the Opposition from Parliament during the latter half of the budget session. They hoped the Opposition parties would attend the monsoon session.

In his valedictory address to the Lok Sabha, Dr. Singh reiterated his Government's offer to discuss and debate all issues of concern and emphasised that both the Government and Opposition had a role to play in ensuring checks and balances. He said it would be a sad day if people were to lose faith in the institution of Parliament.

Mr. Chatterjee said he had made repeated requests to the Opposition members to participate in the proceedings of the House and reiterated his assurance that he was prepared to allow any discussion permissible under the rules. "But they have chosen to continue with the boycott. Nevertheless, I am happy that the Opposition did constructively participate in the discussion on the Finance Bill," He noted with satisfaction the Telugu Desam Party's participation in the parliamentary proceedings.

The Speaker also referred to the "disturbing trend of absenteeism" that led to adjournment of the House on several occasion for want of quorum.

Later, at a press conference, Mr. Chatterjee said the Opposition had stayed away from the daily meetings called by the Speaker. The Opposition could disagree with the Government but to extend it to meetings called by the Speaker was unfortunate. The meeting would have facilitated interaction within leaders on either side.

He said the budget session had 38 sittings spread over 212 hours during which 26 Bills were introduced and 26 Bills were passed. Considering the manner in which the Employment Guarantee Bill was held up in the standing committee since its Chairman, (Kalyan Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party) cancelled a meeting due to the boycott, Mr. Chatterjee said he was contemplating setting a three-month stipulation to send back the Bill to House