Even as the standoff in Parliament on the tehelka issue continued, government on Thursday chalked out a time-table for passage of general and railway budgets by april 25 but congress made it clear that its cooperation was subject to setting up of a JPC, an indication for which should come by Friday. At a business advisory committee meeting of Lok Sabha, chaired by Speaker G M C Balayogi, it was decided to take up the railway budget on Friday and the Finance Bill on April 25. Sources said that the House would take up discussions on demands for grants for rural development and disinvesment ministries on April 23 and 24. The House will apply guillotine at 1800 hrs on April 24, according to the schedule. Though there was unanimity on the schedule, Congress said that as far as the party was concerned it was provisional and subject to government agreeing to a JPC, party sources said adding that a firm indication should come by 12 pm on Friday. However, NDA sources indicated government was not likely to accept the demand for a JPC. Later, talking to reporters parliamentary affairs minister Pramod Mahajan appealed to Congress to put on hold their demand for a JPC for at least four days and allow the House to pass the important financial business.
Bureau Report