Congress raises Rajya Sabha din over CAG’s KG Basin report

The Rajya Sabha was repeatedly adjourned in the pre-lunch session on Monday after the Congress demanded a response by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the CAG pointing out anomalies in Gujarat’s KG Basin gas project. While the Congress sought a discussion, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley rejected the demand, saying it was a “diversionary tactic” by the Opposition party by raising a “non-issue” as a Trinamul MP had earlier raised the AgustaWestland bribery case. Congress MPs claimed irregularities that amounted to over Rs 30,000 crores had been found.

The government later also came under Congress fire for alleged “selective leaks” of sensitive documents on the helicopter deal, and sought a probe on the matter.

The Congress, whose members were already demanding the government’s reply on the KG Basin gas project, alleged the government was “misleading” by “selective leaks”, and voiced concern at the credibility of institutions like the defence ministry, Air Force Headquarters, CBI and Enforcement Directorate.

Soon after the day’s proceedings began, Congress MPs started demanding a discussion, forcing deputy chairman P.J. Kurien to say their notice seeking a discussion was being examined by Chairman Hamid Ansari.

However, the Congress members rushed into the Well of the House raising slogans like “Pradhan Mantri jawab do, jawab do”.

Mr Kurien had to adjourn House proceedings thrice as similar scenes were seen as the House reassembled after the brief breaks.