The Central Government on Sunday held an all-party meeting and asked leaders to give their views in a fortnight on the contentious Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), in a move to ward-off any renewed disruption in Parliament over the UPSC exam row.
Meanwhile, lawmakers of the Trinamool Congress or TMC decided to miss the meeting, ahead of the crucial Winter Session on Monday.
Trinamool Congress spokesperson Derek O’Brien had tweeted earlier to say, “TMC not attending this all-party meeting. We are not available at BJP’s beck and call. Written a letter recording our point of view.”
“The Government has pro-MNC agenda. We have pro-people line. Black money, poll reform, communalism, political vendetta, 100-day hoax. Will raise all”, said Mr O’Brien in another of his tweet
“We have decided to seek the views of political parties on the issue in view of the divergence of opinion on the matter. People are very sensitive. So we have to study the pros and cons of all aspects and take a final view,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters here.
Naidu said that the political parties have been asked to give their views on five issues-— on continuation of English language comprehension skill — reduced weightage of analytical component, to make paper-II qualifying and revert back to optional paper besides suggesting any other alternative.
He quoted Finance Minister Arun Jaitley as telling the meeting that since the issue is very sensitive, collective view has to be taken.
“The meeting saw all political parties appreciating the government’s approach in this regard as they were given an opportunity to discuss the issue,” he said.
“Department of Personnel and Training will give them a brief note on it in next three days after which the political parties have to give their views in writing within next 15 days,” Naidu said.
The issue had snowballed into a major controversy during the last session and both the Houses of Parliament were disrupted over it several times.
Apparently the government wanted to take the parties on board before the Winter session begins.