Let the Parliament transact its business

In the second innings of the UPA Government most of its parliamentary days have been sacrificed at the altar of adjournment due to opposition onslaught against it over emerging scandals one after another. The main opposition party BJP has every right to raise the issue very seriously to awaken the public to government failures. But the way of complete non-co-operation posture adopted with the government on all issues makes no sense. The main opposition BJP appears to be pre-determined in forcing the Chair to adjourn the House that only causes the drain state exchequer. Parliament is the highest platform in democracy where its members represent the people of the nation to discuss their problems. The ongoing standoff between the opposition and the government over the CAG report on coal block allocation is nothing but the deliberate attempt by both sides to stall the Parliament so that there could be no more threadbare discussion on the issue under question. If the issue of CAG report on Coal Block allotment discussed and debated in the great detail in Parliament, the entire nation would hear and decide who is more corrupt in the given corruption laden atmosphere pervading all spheres. It is the government or the opposition. The allotment process of coal block was in vogue before the UPA Government came into power in 2004. An opinion of the UPA favoured the introduction of Competitive bidding through which coal block should be given to private players for generating power, producing Iron and Cement necessary for the development of the nation. But when the opinion on the issue of competitive bidding was sought from BJP-led state governments of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattishgarh and Jharkhand and the then CPI(M) government of West Bengal, all opposed Centre's move in the name of federal character of the Constitution of adopting the process, which could be more transparent and in the interest of the nation. All viewed it as an attempt of the Centre to impose its will on the states and thereby disturbing the federal character of Constitution. Centre bent before Opposition-rule states and continued the previously adopted allotments process of coal block to private companies. CAG reported that because of the allotment process of coal blocks, the nation suffered the loss of Rs.1.86 lakh. The day the CAG report was presented in Parliament, the main opposition BJP stuck to its demand of the resignation of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh because the period when the coal blocks were allotted, the coal ministry was also under him. Only the BJP is adamant on Prime Minister's resignation while almost all other opposition parties and the Govt. are in favour of discussion on the issue in Parliament so that the people could know who is guilty. The standoff between Opposition is and government over the CAG report on coal block allocation has resulted in the wastage of the third consecutive day of Parliament. The ruling UPA has already rejected BJP’s demand of PM’s resignation over the issue. The ruling and the opposition BJP must realize that the nation wants debate and discussions on all issues in Parliament. Parliament must not be converted into the platform for slogan shouting to score points over each other. Congress members countered the Opposition's slogan of 'Pradhan Mantri Istifa Do (Prime Minister Resign)' by shouting Pradhan Mantri Zindabad (Hail the Prime Minister).