Finance Minister P Chidambaram has cancelled his visit to United States where he was to attend the World Bank meeting.
This was disclosed Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Das Munshi at a press conference in New Delhi on Friday.
"I had conveyed to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh about the resentment amongst members of Opposition who were angry that the finance minister should not be available when the discussion on the Finance Bill takes place in the House," he said.
Keeping the sentiment of the members of the House in mind, Chidambaram has decided not go abroad.
Munshi clarified that the allegation made by L K Advani, BJP stalwart and leader of the Opposition, that the parliamentary affairs minister rushed to his house at 10 p.m. "I had discussed the matter with the deputy leader of the House and asked him when Advaniji would be free and available in Delhi. I was told that he would return to Delhi on the evening of April 23. That was my son's birthday and I asked if it was okay I came after 9 p.m. I was told that I could take my own time. So I did not rush to Advaniji's house without a prior appointment. I was only performing my duties as parliamentary affairs minister to keep the leader of the Opposition informed," he said.
He denied that the government was thinking of cutting the duration of the ongoing Budget session of Parliament. "That is why I have given you details of the business of the two Houses," he explained.
Das Munshi assured that Setu Samundaram would not be allowed to be destroyed during the UPA rule like the Babri Masjid was demolished when BJP was in power in Uttar Pradesh in December 1992.
A meeting of the leaders of all parties would be called soon to deal with the human trafficking issue.
"I have already met the External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and told him that the BJP members had raised the issue of civil and nuclear deal in the Rajya Sabha. We will hold a discussion and it will be replied by the external affairs minister. I will also appraise the prime minister about the sentiment of the House. The matter was raised without any prior notice," Das Munshi said.
