VVIP chopper scam: Rajya Sabha to discuss the deal today

New Delhi: The controversial AgustaWestland chopper deal will be debated in the Rajya Sabha today after the government agreed to discuss the issue following demand by the BJP on Tuesday.

"We are ready for a discussion on the issue tomorrow (Wednesday)," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla said after BJP insisted on an immediate discussion.

On Tuesday, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar raised the issue during Zero Hour, saying, "The whole nation is being robbed. Every day we are reading such stories. There are reports that kickbacks to the tune of Rs 400 crore were paid...It's a shame. It is a question of nation's pride."

Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley said the government should agree to a debate on a particular day after which Mr Shukla said the Defence Minister wanted some more time as more details on the issue were awaited and suggested a discussion by next week.

As BJP members including Venkaiah Naidu, Najma Heptulla and Ravi Shankar Prasad disagreed and were up on their feet demanding immediate discussion on the chopper deal and Defence Minister AK Antony's response on it, Mr Shukla said a debate on farmers problems was slated for today on Mr Naidu's demand and if he agreed to change it government can discuss the chopper deal on Wednesday.

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EMS Natchiappan, who was in the chair, told members that there were other issues mentioned during Zero Hour, on which the members insisted Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajiv Shukla to respond.

"Government is ready to have a discussion on it at any point of time. I had discussed the issue with the Defence Minister, he is ready for it next week. In case the members want to take up the issue tomorrow, we are ready," Mr Shukla said.

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On this, Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "We want proper answers tomorrow (Wednesday)."