Prakash Yedhula (Lawyer) 20 April 2008

Humour in Indian Parliament

NATIONAL HIGHWAY HAS BECOME PADDY FIELD!

In a supplementary to the Starred Question on “Declaration of National Highways” on 28th November 2007, one Hon’ble Member demanded for declaration of a road in his State as a national highway. In the reply, Shri T.R.Baalu, the hon. Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways said “Declaring National highways is not any solution for the improvement of any road. You will be surprised to know even the paddy field has been declared as a National Highway”. The hon. Speaker immediately retorted in a lighter vein “Probably National Highway has become a paddy field”. On hearing this, there was a peel of laughter in the House.

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Prakash Yedhula (Lawyer) 20 April 2008

ICE CREAM HAS BECOME SOUR

When the House took up matters of urgent public importance on 30th November 2007 Shri P.C. Thomas hon. Member, raised the issue of ice cream and vanilla and said: “Mr. Speaker, Sir, ice creams are sweet and palatable. But they will be sweeter and better for health if artificial ingredients are not used in them….”. Since Shri Thomas was making a long speech instead of making a short submission, the hon. Speaker said: “Now the ice cream is becoming sour” and the House enjoyed the witty remark.

Prakash Yedhula (Lawyer) 20 April 2008

SOMETHING MORE THAN A CUP OF TEA !

Dr. T. Subbarami Reddy, hon. Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel while replying to the supplementary to the Starred Question on 4th December, 2007 on the subject of Prevention of Illegal mining, Shri Ananth Kumar, hon. Member was agitated and said that reply given by the hon. Minister is not correct. Then the hon. Speaker told the hon. Minister: "I think, you invite him to a cup of tea”.
But Shri Ananth Kumar continued saying: "Sir, I will definitely go to Dr. Reddy for a cup of tea, but let him come correct to the hon. House. I want your protection, Sir. It is a serious flaw”. Dr. T. Subbarami Reddy responded: "No Sir. If you allow me, I will clarify and convince him. Please see second para: ‘The assessment of total loss suffered due to illegal mining of iron ore alone is not centrally maintained.’ What does it mean in English?" The hon. Speaker in a quick repartee said: "Something more than a cup of tea!"

Prakash Yedhula (Lawyer) 20 April 2008

Global Warming in Lok Sabha

While participating in the Short Duration Discussion on Global Warming on 8.5.2007, an Hon’ble Member Dr. K.Dhanaraju was making a long speech and the Chairman (Shri Varkala Radhakrishnan) was asking him to conclude. When he went on speaking, the Chairman remarked that Global Warming is applicable to the House also and that there should be limit on the time taken by Members. In response to that, the Hon’ble Member in a quick repartee said, Sir, we should warm up for a war against Global Warming and the House burst into laughter.

Prakash Yedhula (Lawyer) 20 April 2008

Assurance on Earthquake

During the Question Hour on 9.3.2007, an Hon’ble Member Shri Ananth Kumar was referring to Koyna Dam and its location in the seismic zone and in the course of putting a supplementary, he wanted a solemn assurance from the Hon’ble Minister of Earth Science. While replying, the Hon’ble Minister Shri Kapil Sibal said that he can solemnly assure him that he will ask God that there should be no earthquake in Karnataka, and the House enjoyed his humorous remark.

Prakash Yedhula (Lawyer) 20 April 2008

Runway and Not Run-away

While an Hon’ble Member, Shri N. Janardhana Reddy who is representing Visakhapatnam constituency was putting a supplementary as to when the Visakhapatnam runway would be made functional, the Hon’ble Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Praful Patel said that having done Bhoomi Pujan, they will do the inauguration also. When Shri Reddy was insisting for a specific answer, as to when the runway would be made functional, another Hon’ble Member Mohammed Salim interrupted to say that the Hon’ble Minister is saying ‘runway’ and not ‘run-away’, and the House enjoyed the witty remark.

Prakash Yedhula (Lawyer) 20 April 2008

SWEET MANGOES AND LALOOJI

During the Question Hour on 19.12.2006,while replying to a supplementary question on mango exports, the Hon'ble Minister of State for Commerce, Shri Jairam Ramesh was explaining how certain varieties of mangoes were being exported to other countries. At that time, Hon'ble Railway Minister, Shri Laloo Prasad entered the Chamber and there was applause in the House. The Hon'ble Minister Shri Jairam Ramesh observed: "I thought the applause was for mango exports." Hon'ble Speaker who was in the Chair remarked: "Mangoes and Lalooji both are sweet." and the House burst into laughter

Prakash Yedhula (Lawyer) 20 April 2008

"THANK YOU" MEANS "CONCLUDE NOW"

On 19.12.2006 when the House took up Urgent Matters of Public Importance immediately after the Question Hour. Shri J.M. Aaron Rashid raised his matter. Since Shri Rashid was taking more time than usually allowed, Hon. Deputy-Speaker who was in the Chair, said "Thank you". To that, the member put the query: "Sir, what is the meaning of Thank you?. Hon. Deputy Speaker, Shri Charanjit Singh Atwal retorted: "Thank you means, you have to conclude now", and the House enjoyed the humorous remark.

Prakash Yedhula (Lawyer) 20 April 2008

DON'T THREATEN MEMBER - THREATEN THE CHAIR !

On 7th March, 2006, Shri Varkala Radhakrishnan was making a Special Mention about a decision taken by the Government to close down Marine Fisheries Research Institutes in Kerala and the need to reverse the decision of the previous NDA Government so that these Institutes would continue to do service to the fishing community. He was aggressively reminding the Chairperson of UPA who was present in the House that it is an anti-people decision, to which some other hon. Members interrupted.

Hon. Speaker who was in the Chair advised the hon. Member Shri Radhakrishnan as follows: "Do not threaten any hon. Member. You can threaten the Chair because the Chair is impervious now !"

Prakash Yedhula (Lawyer) 20 April 2008

GOD FOR WATER-INDRA OR VARUNA?

On 10th March, 2006, while replying to the debate on General Budget, Finance Minister Shri P. Chidambaram was referring to growth rate, monsoon and to Varuna Bhagwan. God for water. Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra interrupted to say, "In North India, 'Indra' is the God for water. To that, Hon. Speaker who was in the chair remarked humorously to the Hon. Finance Minister:

"You better include both Gods - 'Varuna' for South India and 'Indra' for North India! "

Prakash Yedhula (Lawyer) 20 April 2008

HEART ON THE RIGHT SIDE

While replying to the discussion on the consideration motion of the Finance Bill, 2006, on 20.03.2006, Finance Minister Shri P. Chidambaram made an announcement about giving exemption to cardiological items like coronary stents and coronary stent system for use of cardiac catheters from customs duty and special CVD. When he explained that 'this shows that our heart is on the right side (of the people), the House burst into laughter.