JOIN USThe Zero Hour saw Shailendra Kumar (SP) pleading for a Bharat Ratna for singer Mohd Rafi noting that the innumerable songs sung by him have become immortal and the highest civilian award would be the appropriate honour for him. He was supported by several party colleagues as also JD-U members.
Kaushelendra Kumar (JD-U) wanted a BPL Commission to be set up on the lines of the Election Commission to determine the number of persons living below the poverty line so that the anti-poverty programmes could be implemented in a targeted manner.
Kumar regretted that the variations about the BPL numbers in various official panels has hit hard backward states like Bihar.
Hansraj Ahir (BJP) opposed the move to bring FDI in retail sector alleging that it was fraught with serious consequences for small traders in the country.
Ganesh Singh (BJP) wanted the criteria for the Indira Awaas Yojana to be modified so that states like Madhya Pradesh, which has a large number of shelterless people, were benefited.
Basudeb Acharia (CPI-M) said a central team should visit flood-hit West Bengal where 12 of the 18 districts have been affected by the natural calamity.