BJP moves notices to suspend Question Hour in Parliament

New Delhi, Mar 13 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday moved notices for the suspension of Question Hour in Parliament to discuss the Lokpal Bill.

BJP leader Arun Jaitley had earlier insisted that the opposition wants an "adequate reply" from the government on this issue in Parliament.

"Nothing on the Lokpal debate was inconclusive," he said and maintained that logically the Bill, who has already been passed by the Lok Sabha, should be passed in the Rajya Sabha.

Earlier, BJP Parliamentary Party and NDA floor leaders in both Houses of Parliament held separate meetings to discuss strategy to be adopted against the UPA-II Government during the budget session.

The BJP also informed that it will discontinue its boycott of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram during the budget session, as it was felt that there was a need to get answers from the latter on serious matters like the NCTC and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Prevention of Unlawful Act.

The first part of the budget session of parliament, which begins on Monday, will last till March 31.

The Railway Budget for fiscal 2012-13 will be presented on March 14, while the General Budget for the same period will be presented on March 16. The Economic Survey, which outlines the government's assessment of the economy, will be tabled on March 15.

The second part of the budget session of parliament will be from April 24 to May 22.

Observers have predicted rough times ahead for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) II Government from the opposition on various issues, including the recent ban on cotton exports, the alleged dilution of federal structure through the establishment of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), controversial amendments to the Railway Protection Force Act and many other issues.

Congress allies like the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have publicly expressed their opposition on the setting up of the NCTC, the hike of fuel prices, the fertilizer subsidy and the financial constraints experienced by its government in West Bengal. (ANI)