Angry Congress, Samajwadi Party and Left party members on Thursday stalled Question Hour in Lok Sabha for about 15 minutes, seeking a statement from the government explaining why it was divesting profit-making public sector units including oil companies Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corporation.

As soon as the House assembled this morning, the members were on their feet protesting government's move to divest these units and threatened that they would not cooperate with the government to assure smooth functioning of the proceedings.

Speaker Manohar Joshi ruled that he had rejected notices of adjournment motion given by some members on the issue but allowed them to speak as to why the Question Hour be suspended to discuss the matter.

Ramji Lal Suman (SP) said he did not understand why the government was bent upon selling profit-making units.

Congress Chief Whip P R Dasmunsi recalled that units like HPCL, BPCL and Nalco were nationalised by the Indira Gandhi government keeping in view the country's security and now this government was privatising them.

"We will not cooperate with the government till the prime minister comes to the House and gives an explanation," he said.

CPI member Ajoy Chakravorty too supported them.

Joshi said he would allow them to speak during Zero Hour and, if necessary, the Business Advisory Committee could fix date and time for a threadbare discussion on the matter.

The members resumed their seats after Petroleum Minister Ram Naik said the issue could be discussed during Zero Hour.