Cash For Query Row: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has asked why would someone file Parliament questions when it is easier to get any information through RTI and PIL. The Rajya Sabha MP explained how the questions are being asked in Parliament and the uncertainty of a particular query coming into ballet for a starred question. Her remarks came amidst a 'bribe for query' scam surrounding TMC MP Mahua Moitra and industrialist Darshan Hiranandani.
"Honestly, if someone wanted specific information regarding someone, easier to get it through RTI or PIL than filing PQs. Why?
- Each MP can File 5 questions (max) /per day 15 days prior to session beginning
- keep fingers crossed that it comes in ballot for starred question to be answered by minister on the floor of the house with a follow-up Question," Chaturvedi shared in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
She added that unstarred questions are submitted in writing without a chance of a follow-up question and that out of 20 questions listed for the day in the Question Hour, "barely 7-8 are answered".
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has shared a letter complaining that Moitra took "cash and gift" for asking questions in Parliament on behalf of Darshan Hiranandani. The complaint reached the Ethics Committee of Parliament but the twist came when Hiranandani, in an affidavit, claimed that he used the TMC MP's Parliament login to ask questions after Indian Oil Corporation entered an agreement with Dhamra LNG, a joint venture company of the Adani Group, and not with Hiranandani companies.
He added that Moitra wanted to be successful and would ask for bookings and gifts for the same. He claimed that she targeted Gautam Adani in order to "malign and embarrass" Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose "impeccable reputation" gave the opposition no chance to target him.
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