This Article is From May 04, 2016

'Should We Hang Him?': Why Exasperated Speaker Said This About A Minister

'Should We Hang Him?': Why Exasperated Speaker Said This About A Minister

Congress members protested at minister's absence during question hour in Parliament

Highlights

  • Manoj Sinha was missing when question linked to his ministry was taken up
  • Present earlier, he likely left assuming his question wouldn't come up
  • Congress MPs protested the absence of the Minister of State for Railways
New Delhi: The government had to apologise in Parliament today for a minister who was missing when a question linked to his department was taken up.

An angry opposition shouted slogans at Minister of State Manoj Sinha's absence when a question on his railway ministry came up in the Lok Sabha in the afternoon.

Mr Sinha was present in the house in the morning, but apparently left assuming that his next question wouldn't be taken up today; only four or five questions usually make it before the hour is up.

"What should I do? Should I hang him?" an exasperated Speaker Sumitra Mahajan as Congress members kept up a steady stream of criticism even as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu tried to give an explanation.

"He was there in the morning but probably left thinking his question would not come again. This should not happen," Mr Naidu said, apologising for the minister's absence.

"This should not happen again. A minister should be present till the end," the Speaker responded sternly.
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