New Delhi, Aug 21: The opposition National Democratic Alliance today blocked the proceedings of both houses of Parliament over the CAG report over allotment of coal blocks by the government.
As soon as both Houses assembled, the entire opposition stood up demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh over the CAG report relating to coal blocks allocation.
Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari and Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar appealed to the members to maintain silence, but failed. Both the houses were adjourned for one hour.
Parliamentary Affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal told mediapersons later that the BJP was trying to mislead the nation over the coal blocks allocation issue.
Bansal said, if the BJP had valid points to make, it should take part in the debate in Parliament over the CAG report rather than obstructing it.
"It is really saddening that they (BJP) did not allow the House to function", Bansal said.
Senior BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu demanded the Prime Minister's resignation.
"The nation's resources are being looted and the entire country is agitated. The government is yet to take any action", said Naidu.
As soon as the Lok Sabha met for the day, opposition members trooped into the well raising slogans to pin down the government on the basis of the CAG reports.
The CAG reports have estimated “undue benefits” of over Rs 3.06 lakh crore to private parties in coal block allocation without bidding, Delhi Airport development and diversion of coal to a power project.
The issue was raised vociferously by BJP members, who were supported by their colleagues from other opposition parties including AIADMK, Left and TDP.
Amid uproar, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the House till noon barely a few minutes after it met for the first time since the latest controversy hit the government.
In the Rajya Sabha, almost the entire Opposition led by BJP Deputy Leader Ravi Shankar Prasad and M Venkaiah Naidu, and Shivanand Tiwari (JD-U) were on their feet and raised slogans as soon as the House assembled.
The BJP-led NDA demanded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's resignation, while Left parties wanted the government to spell out its stand on the three CAG reports.
Amid din, Samajwadi Party, which supports the UPA government from outside, protested Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma's comments on inflation.
Verma, who deserted SP to join Congress, had stated that high food inflation was good as it benefited farmers.
As his plea for order in the House went unheeded, Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned it till noon.
