As expected from the first meeting of parliament after the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report on coal block allocation surfaced, both houses were adjourned as the opposition parties created a ruckus.
The Opposition, headed by the BJP-led NDA, demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the CAG report.
The CAG reports have estimated “undue benefits” of over Rs 3.06 lakh crore to private parties in coal block allocation without bidding, Delhi Airport development and diversion of coal to a power project.
PM Manmohan Singh was in charge of the Coal Ministry for part of the period between 1993 and 2004.
Opposition parties stormed the well of the house soon after it was convened and created a havoc, forcing the speakers to adjourn both the Houses till noon. When the two Houses reassembled at 12 noon, the sloganeering continued and the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day.
The government said the Prime Minister was also ready to make a statement on the CAG report in the House.
The government however ruled out Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s resignation over the issue, saying the BJP should look at its own role in the allocation of coal blocks when the NDA was in power.