Sinha's remarks during urea debate causes Opposition walkout
The entire Opposition in the Lok Sabha walked out today in protest against Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha's remark that the Opposition's protests against the increase in the price of urea was only an attempt to derive political advantage from the issue.
In reply to the demands of several Opposition and Treasury members to roll back the 50 paise per kilogram increase in urea prices, Sinha stated it was unfortunate that the opposition parties' anxiety, particularly of the Congress party, was not because of any sympathy with the farmers.
The House was earlier adjourned following an outcry caused by certain remarks made by Sinha. Immediately after the House resumed its sitting at 1400 hours IST, P Shiv Shankar (Congress) expressed distress at the finance minister's remarks and sought an apology from him.
Sinha, who was not in the House at the time, rushed in and said that if his remarks had hurt anyone, he was sorry. But Opposition members were not satisfied and wanted the minister to give specific assurances about the increases in the prices of petrol and urea.
The finance minister said he had clarified the issue yesterday and hoped the matter would end but the opposition parties had raised the issue again under a new rule. He objected to Shiv Shankar's charge of misbehaviour and showing bravado and added that he did not expect such statements from him. At the same time, he said he had found S Jaipal Reddy (Janata Dal) had often shown difficulty in expressing himself correctly.
When Reddy objected, Sinha said his aim was not to hurt the member and he was prepared to withdraw his words and apologise. At the same time, he said the Congress and United Front governments had also raised urea prices. He also said the government should be complimented for correcting its mistake within 24 hours unlike the Congress government, which in 1991, took 20 days to do likewise.
Sinha said emphatically that the money collected by the petrol dealers from customers was not illegal since there was a government order.
Shiv Shankar clarified that he had not referred to Sinha personally when he spoke of misbehaviour. He had merely said that if the Treasury benches could accuse the Opposition of misbehaviour, then the Opposition could say the same.
Shiv Shankar said he had never seen Sinha get so emotional, arrogant and to lose his temper. He also said the minister had avoided answering the issues raised by members. He, therefore, wanted the minister to apologise.
Congress leaders Rajesh Pilot and Ajit Jogi then said the increase of 50 paise in urea prices was high in the context of the present situation wherein farmers were committing suicide in distress.
Virendra Singh (Bharatiya Janata Party) agreed, but claimed that Congress misdeeds and the urea scam were the reasons for the hike in urea prices.
This led to an uproar, in the midst of which Sinha made his remarks that led to the Opposition walkout.
UNI
Budget '98
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