The Hindu : National : `Unheard of, uncalled for'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004

National

National

`Unheard of, uncalled for'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI. JULY 27. The National Democratic Alliance's decision to boycott the parliamentary committees has been described by most parties in the ruling alliance as both "unheard of and uncalled for."

The NDA's move has also stymied a process put in place by Shivraj Patil during his term as Lok Sabha Speaker. The committees, Mr. Patil's brainchild, play an important role. In the three-week recess period during the budget session, the committees are meant to examine and study the demands and the budgetary allocations made to each of the Ministries.

The procedure

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, in consultation with the leaders of political parties in Parliament, set up the consultative and standing committees. Usually, the floor leaders of the parties recommend names of their party members and the Ministries they would like to be attached to.

Earlier this month, the parliamentary party leaders were asked to send their recommendations so that the process of setting up the committees could be set in motion. While the BJP dithered, its allies such as the Telugu Desam Party and the Janata Dal (U) concurred. However, after the NDA's boycott decision most of the allies except the TDP were persuaded to withdraw.

Congress yet to send list

Most of the constituents of the United Progressive Alliance and its supporting parties have sent in their recommendations. However, the formation of the committees is yet to take place as the Speaker's office discovered to its surprise that the Congress had not sent its list. Frantic efforts were underway till late on Tuesday evening to get the ruling party to finalise its list and send it to the Speaker's office.

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