Speaker adjourns Hosue following minister's absence

Kolkata, July 24 (UNI) West Bengal Assembly Speaker Hasim Abdul Halim was today forced to adjourn the House for half an hour because of absence of a minister while presenting his budget.

The incident occurred when Labour Minister Mrinal Banerjee failed to turn up when the debate for the demand of budgetary grants of the labour department began in the House.

The Opposition Congress and Trinamool Congress started shouting and raising objection on the issue and demanded immediate presence of the labour minister. Finding no option, the Speaker adjourned the House for half an hour to tame the Opposition.

When the House met again, Mr Banerjee hurried into the House and the Speaker sought an explanation from him for the unprecedented incident. Mr Banerjee sought an unconditional apology and said the delay was due to traffic snarls in the city.

Later the proceedings began as usual with both the Opposition parties accepting the reason given by Mr Banerjee.

Incidentally, this was the first such incident in about three years when the House was adjourned because of the absence of the concerned minister.

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