Power minister apologises for unparliamentary remark

Ranchi, Feb 28 (UNI) Jharkhand HRD Minister Bandhu Tirkey today apologised for his remarks against a senior Opposition member Inder Singh Namdhari.

Mr Namdhari, a former Assembly speaker, during Question Hour in the House expressed concern over the power crisis in Daltonganj area saying single tenders were floated in the past three occasions at higher rate for construction of transmission line from Lohardaga to Daltonganj.

Mr Namdhari said a vicious cycle was behind the act of single tender and the price was being managed prompting Mr Tirkey to retort that the questioner was himself invloved in such acts.

The entire Opposition rose to protest Mr Tirkey's remarks saying instead of replying the minister was resorting to 'unparliamentary' words to counter.

Even the Speaker told the minister that ''yeh galat hein'' (this is not done).'' Mr Tirkey in defence said the area was insurgency affected and hence no body came forward for the job leading to higher quotation.

Miffed at it, Mr Namdhari said if it was the fabricated by some cycle to manage the tender at higher rate.

Mr Tirkey shot back saying the questioner was himself involve in such act prompting the Opposition to shout slogans against Mr Tirkey.

However, the minister later apologised.

UNI PRS PP RN/DB1922