Tuesday, December 20 2005 15:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha was divided today (Dec 20, 2005) on the issue of scrapping the MPLAD scheme in the wake of the fresh scam amid calls by members that Parliament should not be led by media expose.

Demand by Rashtriys Janata Dal (RJD) members Devendra Prasad Yadav and Ram Kripal Yadav to do away with the MP Local Area Development scheme was not appreciated by several members of the main Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as also some from the ruling Congress.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Devendra Prasad Yadav said since the scheme had brought a lot of bad name to MPs and the scam proved to be a blot on Parliament, it should be ended.

Ram Kripal wanted the House to take a decision today itself in the matter which prompted several members from the opposition and some from Congress to be on their feet protesting against any such move.

Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI) said it was for Government to decide whether to continue or to close the scheme. He said, "What was needed now was a serious monitoring system as most of us are going through a deep agonising ordeal to look at TV sets."

He said it was not right to blame the entire Parliamentary system following the expose and added Parliament should take stock of the situation on its own and let it not be led by media expose.

He said people expected highest morality and standard from members and therefore, those who abuse and misuse their positions should be expelled and handed out highest punishment.

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee abruptly adjourned the House for lunch as members from other parties wanted to have their say in the matter.