Speaker may reject BJP's 184 notice on Indo-US Agreement

New Delhi, Aug 9 (UNI) Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee today indicated that the BJP notice for a discussion under Rule 184 on the 123 agreement formalising Indo-US nuclear deal may not be accepted.

Mr Chatterjee said the Treaty comes under Government domain and he would have to study if a discussion under Rule 184 can be permitted. "I have not taken any decision on the issue," he said, while affirming that he had received a notice in this regard from BJP.

The Speaker, who organised a customary dinner for leaders of various political parties tonight, said many parties had sought a discussion on the Indo-US deal which he had accepted. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said, would make a statement in Parliament on the nuclear deal on Monday.

The BJP, however, said it would pressurise the Speaker to accept their demand for a discussion under rule 184, which entails voting.

BJP Parliamentary Party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra who attended the meeting, said it was a very important agreement and, therefore it was necessary that it be discussed under rule 184 to get Parliamentary approval.

Earlier, the party had criticised the Prime Minister for the statement that there was no question of going back on the 123 Agreement.

Mr Chatterjee said other issues which had been highlighted and discussions would be allowed were Goa developments, floods in various parts of the country, price rise, fake drugs, OBC reservations.

The Business Advisory Committee would sit for three days to draw the schedule for discussions, he said, adding he had also received notices for calling attention on many issues.

Seeking cooperation from leaders of various parties, Mr Speaker urged them that the 23 day session should be utilised in a optimum manner for discussion on serious matters.

He also announced that a special sitting would be held in Parliament on August 15 to mark the 60th year of Independence which would be addressed by President Pratibha Patil, the Vice President, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Speaker.

UNI