Moving the statutory resolution for approval of Presidential proclamation in the state, he said Goa was a ''classic case'' for imposition of Article 356 as it was for the first time in 50 years both the ruling party and opposition demanded Central rule in a state. Advani said since 36 of the total 40 MLAs in the state assembly called for President's rule, the Central action could not be a matter of controversy.

Detailing the political developments in the state, which witnessed three governments in the last eight months, he said that if the assembly was kept under suspended animation in the state, it could have given rise to horse trading. Initiating the discussion, KS Rao (Congress) said his party was not opposed to imposition of President's rule in Goa but was against invocation of Article 356 in Bihar. He accused theCentre of using different yardsticks in the two cases to derive political mileage.

Indo-China relations: India and China have agreed to hold foreign office-level consultations in Beijing on February 25 and 26, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

External affairs minister Jaswant Singh said that the Government was taking necessary steps to improve its relations with China through resumption of dialogue, adding India sought good relations with all its neighbours including China.

Nepalese territory: Nepal has assured India that its territories will not be used for activities inimical to India's interests, external affairs minister Jaswant Singh told the Lok Sabha. The Government is aware of reports of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence and some fundamentalist groups misusing Nepalese territory for their operations in India, the minister said in a written reply. He said the matter was taken up with concerned authorities of Nepal and we have received assurances at the highest levelsthat Nepalese territory will not be used for such activities.

Bhutan: India and Bhutan share concerns on presence of insurgent groups from north-eastern India on Bhutanese territory and have remained in frequent touch to find a solution to the issue, Singh said. The National Assembly of Bhutan at its last session in June-July recognised the danger posed by these militants to Bhutan itself and sought to find ways to move them from their territory, he said.

CTBT: As part of the Government's efforts to engage in discussions with key interlocutors on a range of issues, including CTBT, talks have been held, inter-alia, with Russia and the European Union, he said, adding that India is prepared to bring these discussions to a successful conclusion so that entry into force of the CTBT is not delayed beyond September.

US team visit: Left party members in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday took serious exception to the visit of a three-member US team to India to ascertain the quality of carpets madehere for export, saying it was a blatant attempt at applying the social clause under the WTO to block carpet exports. Raising the issue during zero hour, Geeta Mukherjee, CPI, said that the Government should stop any such fact-finding mission to the country. She said the social clause would be sought to be brought into operation by mentioning child labour engaged by the carpet industry. Rupchand Pal, CPI-M, said that any such move would adversely hit the carpet industry.

Rushdie: Opposition members in Lok Sabha took serious exception to the visa granted to Salman Rushdie, author of the controversial book 'Satanic Verses', for visiting India and demanded that it be immediately withdrawn since it had hurt Muslim sentiments. Raising the issue during zero hour, E Ahamed (Muslim League) said that Rushdie had committed "blasphemy and wounded the sentiments of the Muslims". Such a person should not be welcomed by India, Ahamed said, adding that it was the duty of the Government to respect the sentiments ofthe people. Supporting the member, Laloo Prasad Yadav (RJD) and Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mohan Singh (both SP) accused the Government of attempting to incite communal passion and violence in the country by granting the permission to Rushdie. Ajit Jogi (Congress) and Ramdas Athawale (RPI) demanded review of the Government's decision.

Drought: A BJP member voiced serious concern in the Lok Sabha over the famine-like situation prevailing in the entire tribal belt of Chattisgarh in Madhya Pradesh and sought Central assistance for the relief operation. Raising the issue during zero hour, Chandrashekhar Sahu said over 55 lakh people had been hit hard by the unprecedented drought. People were migrating to other parts in panic, he said. Congress member Narendra Bhudania said over 2,000 villages in Rajasthan had been hit hard by the drought and the BJP-led Government at the Centre was meting out step-motherly treatment to the Congress-ruled state. The Centre should immediately send a team to Rajasthan toassess the situation and provide additional funds to meet the situation, he suggested.

Bank employees' stir: Several opposition members in the Lok Sabha voiced serious concern over the two-day All India strike call given by bank employees from Thursday in protest against the Government's failure to implement wage revision. Raising the issue during zero hour, CPI-M Members Basudeb Acharia, Rup Chand Pal and V Radhakrishnan said the Government should take immediate steps to avert the strike as it would cause incalculable damage to the country's economy. Acharia said the bank employees have been demanding pay revision for the last one year but the Government had failed to resolve the issue. The Left party members were supported by Subramanian Swamy (Janata Party) and wanted a reply from the Government. An agitated CPI-M Member Sunil Khan rushed to the well of the house demanding that the Government should stall its move to close down eight public-sector undertakings, of which six were in WestBengal.