M A I N   N E W S

PM apologises for minister’s absence
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 28
A visibly embarrassed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today apologised for the absence of Labour Minister K. Chandra Shekhar Rao in the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour and said he would ask his Cabinet colleagues to give due priority to Parliamentary work.

"I apologise through you to the House on the absence of the Labour Minister. It should normally not have happened. I take note of the sentiments of the House. I will convey to my colleagues that Parliamentary work should be given due priority," Dr Manmohan Singh told Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

The Prime Minister's response came after CPM member Dipankar Mukherjee pointed to the absence of the minister saying he should have been present knowing that it was the day of his ministry's questions.