Uproar in LS as Sibal the only cabinet minister present

The Opposition on Wednesday created uproar in the Lok Sabha over the presence of just one cabinet minister during Zero Hour when it was raising matters of public importance.

Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj complained against the 'casual attitude' of the government towards important issues being raised in the House.

Human Resource Development and Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal was the only cabinet minister present in the House. The treasury benches had very few MPs in attendance.   

Sanjay Nirupam of the Congress, backed by several of his party colleagues, insisted that the government was not required to respond to demands during Zero Hour.

"Virtually the treasury benches are empty. There is only one minister present. We raise these issues as the Speaker insisted that these matters be taken up during Zero Hour. But the government is indifferent towards Zero Hour," Swaraj said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal walked in hastily when the uproar was on. He tried to pacify the members, saying the whole cabinet is not required to be present in the House.

However, the Opposition refused to relent with Bharatiya Janata Party's Yashwant Sinha insisting that this government is "dumb, deaf and absent".