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The deadlock in Parliament over the Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) report on coal block allocations continued for fourth consecutive day on Friday, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led opposition sticking to their demand for Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's resignation over the issue. Both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha have been adjourned till 12 noon. The UPA Government, however, rejected the opposition demand for Prime Minister's resignation, saying it is ready for discussion in Parliament on CAG report on coal block allocation. Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office V. Narayanasamy had earlier said the government is ready to discuss the CAG report on coal block allocations and accused the BJP for disrupting the Parliamentary proceedings over the issue. Union Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid termed as 'unfortunate' the continuous disruption of Parliament where lawmakers come 'every morning with hope, expectations and aspirations of the people of our country'. The BJP has held the Prime Minister, who then held direct charge of the Coal Ministry, responsible for what has been estimated as loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crores by the CAG in coal block allocation and demanded his resignation. The CAG report on coal block allocation states that nearly 150 coalfields were allotted to private and state-run firms without transparency and objectivity between 2005 and 2009.

Parliament logjam continues for fourth consecutive day over Coalgate