Both Houses of Parliament adjourned proceedings on Thursday after the opposition, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left parties, walked out citing the failed foreign policy of the government and its inability to come clean on the 2G spectrum and coal block allocation issues.
In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley accused the government of having no clue about the Chinese intrusion into the Indian territory and of having reacted meekly in trying to get Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh back home for treatment.
He was making his observations on the Appropriation (Railways) Bill 2013 and the Finance Bill, 2013 introduced in the House for their consideration and passage.
Jaitley said the country is waiting for a response of the government on the Chinese intrusion in Ladakh.
He said the government had many options, including security and diplomatic channels, but is mute.
Referring to the coal blocks allocations issue, Jaitley alleged that the government is misusing the CBI to protect beneficiaries.
He said that since there was no appropriate response from the government on the these issues, the BJP members had decided to walk out.
Earlier, the House witnessed heated arguments over the introduction of the Appropriation (Railways) Bill 2013 and the Finance Bill 2013.
BJP members took a strong objection to the procedure adopted. They argued that as per the understanding reached between the government and the opposition, the Leader of Opposition should be allowed to speak first, before the clause by clause consideration of the bills.
Left Party members, who also walked out, criticized the government for its failure to handle the country”s finances.
Tapan Kumar Sen, CPIM, alleged that the government has not taken measures to contain deficit and has allowed revenue losses to grow by not recovering the direct and indirect taxes, which are due.
V Maitreyan of the AIADMK alleged that the government is running away from the debate on the coal block allocation issue.
He also criticised Finance Minister P. Chidambaram of giving stepmotherly treatment to Tamil Nadu.
Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal said the government should respond on the Chinese intrusion.
Satish Mishra of the BSP suggested that the House should a resolution condemning the killing of the Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh in Pakistan. (ANI with inputs)