Oppn ups ante on SIR, govt says will be forced to push bills

AS the stalemate over Bihar SIR continues to paralyse Parliament proceedings, the government on Monday said that it will be forced to press for the passage of crucial bills if the Opposition parties don't budge from their adamant position.

- PREETHA NAIR @New Delhi

The Speaker cited the precedent of former speaker Balram Jakhar, who turned down a demand for a discussion in the House on the Election Commission's functioning, given that the poll panel is conceived as an independent entity.

Despite the opposition suggesting that if the government is unwilling to discuss SIR, discussions can be had on electoral reforms, voter deletion etc, the government refused to concede to the demand.