M A I N   N E W S

CVC issue rocks Houses again
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 13
The issue of denial of the CVC report on defence purchases to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) rocked both Houses of Parliament again today with a determined and angry Opposition members stalling the proceedings, demanding the resignation of Defence Minister George Fernandes.

While the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day amid pandemonium, Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat adjourned the Rajya Sabha till 2 pm after the Opposition members refused to take their seats and demanded that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee make a statement.

Later, the Chairman also rejected the Opposition demand for the Prime Minister’s statement on the issue, saying that the probe did not cover armaments bought during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

“The CVC has confirmed in writing that it has not conducted any investigation into procurement for Operation Vijay,” Mr Shekhawat said in a lengthy ruling which led to a walkout by the entire Opposition.

Ruling out any discussion on the issue, he said it “would not be appropriate” as the Public Accounts Committee at this stage had not completed its consideration of the matter.

The situation took another turn with Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi receiving a privilege notice against Defence Minister George Fernandes on the defence deals. The privilege notice has been given by Mr G. M. Banatwalla (IUML) over the Minister’s refusal to furnish the report of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to the PAC.

The Speaker said he had sought comments of the Defence Minister and would take a decision in the matter after receiving the comments from him.

In the Lok Sabha, there was pandemonium as soon as the House assembled. As the attempts to start question hour failed, the Speaker adjourned the House initially for an hour till noon.

Even when the House reassembled after the adjournment, the members from the Congress, RJD and Left parties again stormed the well, raising anti-government slogans like “George Fernandes should resign” and “scam-tainted government cannot run.”

With no letup in the Opposition slogan-shouting, the House adopted a motion moved by Mr Fernandes for the election of members to the Central Advisory Committee for the National Cadet Corps.

Earlier in the Rajya Sabha, the Chairman adjourned the House for two hours as the Treasury and Opposition benches traded charges against each other on the issue.

The House plunged into turmoil immediately after it observed silence to pay respects to the martyrs of the Quit India Movement and the deaths that had taken place at Mumbai High due to the ONGC helicopter crash on Monday.