New Delhi: Delays in railway schedules are heard of and so are delays in ministers arriving for meetings, but when Railway Minister Lalu Prasad arrived late in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, it was a one-of-a-kind delay.
The debate on Railway Budget — scheduled for Tuesday — could not resume in the absence of any of the concerned Ministers.
As Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan announced resumption of the discussion on the Railway Budget after Question Hour, members of the Opposition rose in protest.
They pointed out the absence of both Lalu and his two junior ministers in the House. Peeved at their absence, Khan said there cannot be any other important work than the House and the Minister should have been present.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Pachauri was quick to come to Lalu's defence and stated that at least two of the Cabinet Ministers were present in the House and the Railway Minister would soon be joining.
As the members of the BJP demanded adjournment of the House, Lalu arrived in
the House. Even as the discussion was about to resume, the members wanted an apology from the Railway Minister.
The matter was resolved when Lalu expressed regret for his absence and explained he was under the impression that his junior ministers would be present in the House.
(With PTI inputs)
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