New Delhi, March 21
The resolution on the imposition of President’s rule in Bihar got the nod of Parliament today, with the Rajya Sabha okaying the proclamation by voice vote amid walkout by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) members. The House also
returned the vote on account Budget for Bihar by voice vote.
The Lok Sabha had cleared the proclamation on Saturday last.
Replying to the debate on the resolution, Home Minister Shivraj Patil assured Elders the Centre was not in favour of continuing President’s rule for a long time and dismissed the Opposition charge that there had been a delay in appointing advisers to the Bihar Governor due to pressure mounted by two Cabinet Ministers hailing from the state.
“I can assure the House that we will not like to see that President’s rule is continued for a long time. Sooner it disappears, the better for Bihar and for democracy,” the Home Minister said calling upon the elected representatives of the state to take steps for the installation of a popular government in the state.
Refuting the Opposition charge on the appointment of advisers to the Bihar Government, Mr Patil said “there is no provision in the Constitution making it binding on the government to appoint advisers to the state Governor. The advisers are appointed if they are necessary.”
He, however, said the Centre was keen on appointing them to give good governance to people of the state and assured the House that the UPA government would not allow any controversy in this regard and whatever was necessary would be done on the appointment of advisers.
