NDA demands constitution of Par panel on nuke deal

NEW DELHI: The NDA on Monday asked the Government to constitute a Parliamentary panel to study the Indo-US nuclear deal and opposed the suggestion for setting up an expert group to examine the concerns voiced by the Left parties on it.

"This is not a family affair of the UPA and Left. It's an issue that concerns the entire nation and, therefore, the Government should put in place some Parliamentary mechanism, something like a committee comprising members of both Houses, to study the agreement," senior BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra told after an NDA meeting chaired by Leader of Opposition L K Advani.

His comments came after reports suggested that the Government might set up an expert group headed by the Prime Minister's special envoy for the nuclear deal, Shyam Saran, to study the agreement in the light of the Left's objections on the pact.
   
The ruling Congress has already rejected the BJP's demand for a joint parliamentary committee on the nuclear deal, which the Opposition says will limit India's strategic options.
   
"The Government must wait for the recommendations of such a committee and until then the process should be halted," Malhotra said.
   
The Opposition, however, has no immediate plans to bring a no-confidence motion against the Government.
   
Malhotra also said the BJP will raise in Parliament its objections to the Government's agriculture policy.
   
It has also sought a debate in the House on the release of Bofors case accused Ottavio Quattrocchi in Argentina.
   
"There have been reports how the case was botched up by the Government and the CBI. We will raise this issue vociferously," Malhotra said.