Monday, August 29 2005 20:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Pleading ignorance over his lawyer wife Nalini taking up an Income Tax case, Finance Minister P Chidambaram today (Aug 29, 2005) expressed regret in Rajya Sabha but it cut no ice with Opposition members, who shouted slogans and pressed for his resignation forcing three adjournments of the house.

After two adjournments, the Finance Minister appeared in the House when it reassembled at 2:00 p.m. to give an explanation on the issue but Opposition members challenged his brief statement demanding their right to seek clarification which was their privilege as members of the house.

But citing precedent Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat ruled that the minister could give an explanation as the allegation was of personal in nature.

This sparked off acrimonious scenes with opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Khazhagam (AIADMK) members rushing into the Well and resorting to slogan shouting. Amidst the din the house passed the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence by voice vote giving Parliamentary seal of approval for the important legislation.

The passage of the bill was marred by trading of charges and walk out by members of the Samajwadi Party, who charged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other opposition parties were not serious about women's issues.

The bill was passed after negating the amendments moved by Brinda Karat of Communist Party of India (CPI) Marxist (M) and without any discussion.

Soon after the house reassembled, Chidambaram said the Central Board for Direct Taxes (CBDT) has clarified in detail the circumstances under which his wife had taken up the case and made it clear that had he known about it or had someone informed him earlier, he would have 'nipped it in the bud'.

The Minister said the issue was raised in the house

The Minister said he came to know of it only when the issue was raised in the house. Neither was he consulted, nor did CBDT inform him of the case being given to his wife, he said emphasising that both CBDT and he himself regretted it.

CBDT has admitted that it was a 'lapse' on its part and they have expressed regret, he added.

Barely had the minister completed his brief personal explanation under rule 241 of the code of procedures of the house, Opposition members S.S. Ahluwalia (BJP) and N Jothi (AIADMK) challenged this saying Chidambaram, not being member of the Rajya Sabha could not under the rule give a personal explanation.

"He has spoken as a Minister and we have full right to seek clarification," Ahluwalia said raising a point of order to which Shekhawat ruled that "I have allowed him".

As the turmoil continued, the Chairman read out the notice given by Jothi during the debate on National Rural Employment Guarantee bill on Aug 24 and his offer to authenticate certain matters in the house.

Pointing to the member Shekhawat said, "It is a personal charge" to which a personal explanation was given.

Even this did not satisfy the opposition and they continued to trade charges.

Rebutting opposition contention that a Minister not being a member of Rajya Sabha could not seek the privilege of making a personal explanation, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachouri cited a number of rulings of the Chair to assert that any Minister had the right to make a personal explanation.

He said the Minister had the right to a give a personal explanation

As the opposition continued with their protests from the Well of the house, the Chairman directed them to go back to their seats. Citing a number of precedents, he said the Minister had the right to give a personal explanation.

"This is my ruling and there should be no arguments and the matter be treated as closed," Shekhawat ruled. But even this did not mollify the Opposition and the Chairman chided whether they wanted to disturb the proceedings by marching to the Well.

Sushma Swaraj, the deputy leader of the BJP in the house said it was not the intention of her party to disturb the proceedings or march into the well.

"The Minister's explanation amounts to an open and shut case of favouritism and nepotism. He can't walk away under the garb of making a personal explanation. We want a reply from him to our clarification," Swaraj said.

This triggered a fresh march by BJP and AIADMK members to the Well and sharp exchanges with Congress members who made a counter charge that BJP was not interested in burning issues affecting women in the country.

The din continued and the Chairman adjourned the house for an hour, for the third time, at 2:50 p.m. after the passage of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Bill.