The Hindu : National : Pranab Mukherjee keeps a promise

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Tuesday, May 03, 2005

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National

Pranab Mukherjee keeps a promise

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, on Monday fulfilled the commitment given in Parliament to make available his Ministry's annual report to Members of Parliament and the media for a public debate.

The issue of unavailability of the Defence Ministry's annual report and the Parliamentary Standing Committee report was raised in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday last by Manoj Bhattacharya (Revolutionary Socialist Party) and Nilotpal Basu (Communist Party of India - Marxist).

Mr. Bhattacharya pointed out that in the absence of the annual report, he was in a quandary about how to begin his debate on the subject.

"I do not know whether it has been reserved as a highly classified document or it is a mistake on the part of the Ministry."

Mr. Mukherjee called the lapse "unfortunate" and promised that it would be available by Monday. He pointed out that the report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence had been submitted and those reports were available.

"I am saying that it is a lapse on the part of the Ministry. The report should have been made available before the Members take part in the discussion. There is no doubt in it, and I regret that. I apologise to the House in this regard." Mr. Basu pointed out that the reports were in short supply, particularly those submitted by the Standing Committee.

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