New Delhi: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) member TR Baalu criticised the Union government in the Lok Sabha on Monday (July 1) over the issue of drilling in the delta region, saying it yields little oil, but hurts farmers.

As he protested against the "unruly and unlawful" action of the government, oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said it would not do anything forcefully and invited DMK members for a transparent discussion on the issue.

Pradhan told Baalu that he was a member of the Cabinet during the previous governments and added that drilling did not start during the current dispensation.

The minister acknowledged that a section of farmers had expressed concern over the issue.

Baalu said drilling in the region gets only 0.6% of the total oil produced by Tamil Nadu, adding it has no socio-economic or financial returns.

Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Bhagwant Mann raised the issue of low wages for MNREGA workers and accused the Congress government in Punjab of rubbing salt on their wounds by "raising" their daily earnings by Rs 1.

"Instead of Rs 240, they should be paid a minimum of Rs 500 daily, and the money should be paid to them immediately after work," Bhagwant Mann said.

BJP's Ashok Yadav spoke about lack of employment in Bihar's Mithila region due to the closure of sugar mills and other avenues. "It has led to the migration of youngsters," he said, seeking industry in the area.

"Those who support Jinnah are backing illegal immigrants," he said, demanding that the National Register of Citizens exercise, currently underway in Assam, be carried out across the country to identify them.

Darjeeling BJP MP Raju Bista said the hill region is witnessing political violence and blamed the ruling Trinamool Congress for it. He said that the youth are living under constant fear of police.

Gaurav Gogoi, Congress MP from Kaliabor, Assam, raised the issue of exclusion of over one lakh people in the NRC, saying even prominent citizens are not in the list.