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RS chairman lauds space scientists

The embarrassed prime minister beat a hasty retreat on Thursday on his decision to make a congratulatory statement in the Rajya Sabha on the GSLV launch after the Congress said it would not allow him to speak after Question Hour.

Soon after the House met, Chairman Krishan Kant said he would make way for Atal Bihari Vajpayee to make the GSLV launch statement as he had given notice for it after Question Hour.

Kant made it clear that Question Hour could not be compromised and the statement could only be taken up later.

Interrupting, Congress member Suresh Pachauri said it would be enough if Kant as chairman of the House made the congratulatory statement if Vajpayee was not permitted to do so during Question Hour.

Sensing the mood, Vajpayee said Kant could make the statement. "Aapki awaaz ham sab ki awaaz hai," he remarked.

Lauding the efforts of the space scientists, Kant said they had done the nation proud. With this launch, India has joined a select group of nations having the GSLV capability, he said.

The plea of Ram Gopal Yadav (Samajwadi Party) to call off Question Hour to discuss the killing of 16 Border Security Force personnel by the Bangladesh Rifles was also turned down by Kant who said this was a grave matter and could be taken up after Question Hour.

PTI

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