Pranab calls Oppn for breakfast,runs into problem with starter

Sources said Mukherjee read out a draft formulation to know if it was acceptable to them to take up discussions in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The formulation is: This House expresses concern at inflationary pressure on the economy and calls upon the government to contain its impact. The leaders sought time to discuss the proposal among themselves and with their party colleagues. The draft is obviously far short of what the Opposition would want to censure the government for spiralling prices.

It is a very a strange proposal, a senior Opposition leader told The Sunday Express when asked whether it would be taken up under Rule 184 (with voting) or under Rule 193 (without voting) in the Lok Sabha. The proposal mentions neither, he said.

The idea was initially floated by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pawan Kumar Bansal,but the Opposition chose to wait for Mukherjee to take the initiative. Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar,who is in Goa at the moment,is likely to supplement behind-the-scene efforts of Mukherjee.

Protests shouldnt hinder work: Ansari

Concerned over regular disruption of House proceedings,Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari asked all MPs to see to it that their right to protest does not become an impediment to their work.

Ansari,who was addressing new Rajya Sabha MPs at an orientation at the Parliament House Annexe,said,Much too often,we take the view that if we disrupt House proceedings,we will make our point. I am afraid,it does not work like that in the public.

While acknowledging that protest is an essential ingredient of democratic functioning,he asked if it is the only form of functioning. The rule-book,he said,had numerous procedures. Why dont we use it more frequently? he asked. Protest in registering a point is well-made,but when it becomes habitual,loses its novelty,and,therefore,its effect, he added.

PTI