Opposition MPs demand discussion on either MEA or commerce ministry in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: (Mar 13) Opposition leaders in Rajya Sabha have sought for a discussion on the working of either the Ministry of External Affairs, or the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the Upper House, sources said on Thursday.

The issue came up at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) on Wednesday. Opposition MPs pointed out that neither of the two ministries have been discussed in the House since 2010, a source said.

Detailed scrutiny of ministries is done in the Budget session of Parliament, where the Rajya Sabha discusses "working" of the ministries, while the Lok Sabha exercises its financial oversight through examination and voting on Demands for Grants, where each ministry's proposed expenditure for the coming financial year is debated and put to vote.