No plans to curtail Budget Session, says government

The government has no plans to curtail the ongoing Budget Session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said here on Tuesday even as he launched a strident attack on the Congress for disruptions in both the Houses of Parliament.

"We want to run the Budget Session to the fullest extent even after completion of the financial business," Kumar told reporters here, dismissing speculation of an early end to the Budget Session which has not witnessed any substantive business since it re-convened on March 5.

Both the Houses of Parliament witnessed repeated disruptions during the past seven days on issues ranging from the PNB scam, setting up of the Cauvery management board, special category status for Andhra Pradesh and increase in reservation quota for Telangana.

Kumar hit out at the Congress, dubbing it the "prime mover" of the disruptions in Parliament, and accused it of going back on its word after agreeing to a debate on the PNB scam under a rule that does not entail voting.

"After Rahul Gandhi's return from Italy, the Congress has changed its strategy. This is the reason we are witnessing disruptions in both the Houses of Parliament," the minister said.

The Congress put the onus on the government to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament.

Kumar said besides the financial business, the government was keen to get Parliament approval for the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, Payment of Gratuity Bill, the Medical Council of India Bill among others.

Asked about government's plans to deal with disruptions by friendly political parties such as the TDP, AIADMK and the TRS, Kumar said they would withdraw their protests if they get to participate in the debate on the general budget.