Lok Sabha Debates
Shri Sultan Ahmed Made A Statement In Explanation Of His Resignation From The ... on 29 November, 2012
> Title: Shri Sultan Ahmed made a statement in explanation of his resignation from the Council of Ministers.
SHRI SULTAN AHMED (ULUBERIA): Madam Speaker, I am thankful for giving me time to make a statement under Rule 199, under which rule, I have submitted a statement but my original statement… … (Interruptions)
MADAM SPEAKER: No, please stick to the statement.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI SULTAN AHMED : This is not my original statement, Madam. … (Interruptions) If you go through Rule 199… * MADAM SPEAKER: Please don’t make this kind of a statement.
It will not go on record.
(Interruptions) …* MADAM SPEAKER: Whatever statement you have finalized with our consent, you have to kindly read it. Please, don’t go beyond that.
SHRI SULTAN AHMED : I am making this statement - I had resigned from the Union Council of Ministers on 21st of September of 2012. Today I want to inform this august House through you, Madam, the reasons that led to my resignation from the Council of Ministers. I was assigned the portfolio of Union Minister of State for Tourism in May 2009 in the present dispensation.
I would like to place on record the reasons which prompted my resignation from the Council of Ministers. The foremost reason is opposition to allow 51 percent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail. Although Government had made a statement on the floor of the House that a decision to introduce FDI in multi-brand retail would be taken after a consensus on the issue by all the parties including the opposition, but the policy has been introduced by the Government suddenly.
Another reason is increase in prices of diesel and capping of subsidized LPG cylinders.
Under such circumstances, it got increasingly difficult for me and my Party to continue with the present dispensation. Therefore, I had tendered resignation along with my colleagues.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Nothing else will go on record.
(Interruptions) …* MADAM SPEAKER: Now, we take up `Zero Hour’.
You have made the statement. Please don’t go beyond that. I am constrained. Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions) … * MADAM SPEAKER: Now, we take up `Zero Hour’ - Shri Rama Subbu.
PROF. SAUGATA ROY (DUM DUM): Madam, I am on a point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: There is no point of order on this. We have started the `Zero Hour’. If you have any problem, you come and meet me in my Chamber.
PROF. SAUGATA ROY : Madam, I am on a point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: There is no point of order on this.
PROF. SAUGATA ROY: Rule 199(3) states – there shall be no debate on such statement but after it has been made, a Minister may make a statement pertinent thereto.
Madam, I want to know whether any Minister of the Government would like to make a statement with regard to the statement of Shri Sultan Ahmed in this House. Otherwise, why should the Ministers remain quiet? When a former Minister has made a statement, a Minister of the Government should normally react and give a statement as to what is the Government’s reaction to the statement of resignation. Why is the Government keeping quiet? Why is the Parliamentary Affairs Minister not making a statement? This is permitted under the Rules. If they have anything to say, they could have come to the House and said it. But why have the Treasury Benches chosen to remain silent on the charges, on the complaints made by a former Minister who has resigned from the Council of Ministers? Why have they not taken advantage of the rule to defend the Government’s position in this regard? That is why, under the Rules, with your permission, I make this point. So, will you please ask the Government to make a statement pertinent to Shri Sultan Ahmed’s statement on his resignation from the Council of Ministers?
… (Interruptions)
MADAM SPEAKER: I have already announced the ‘Zero Hour’. Shri S.S. Ramasubbu.
12.06 hrs At this stage, Shri Kalyan Banerjee and some other hon. Members came and stood on the floor near the Table.
MADAM SPEAKER: Nothing will go on record except what Shri Ramasubbu says.
(Interruptions) …*