Day 7: Oppn fury stalls RS proceedings

New Delhi, March 13

The Rajya Sabha proceedings were washed out for the seventh day today as protests by Opposition parties and the TDP, an ally of the ruling NDA, continued on issues such as the PNB fraud and special status to Andhra Pradesh.

The Congress and the TMC insisted for a discussion on the bank scam under a rule which entailed voting, but Chairperson Venkaiah Naidu said he has allowed it under rule 176, which is under the category of short-duration discussion.

Naidu’s appeals to restore order in the House had no effect on the protesting members. “I appeal to leaders of parties and members that House be allowed to function because people are being impatient and (adjournments and protests) show Parliament in poor light,” he said. 

He asked TDP members to desist from displaying placards in the House.  With the members refusing to budge, Naidu adjourned the House about 15 minutes into the morning session till the lunch break. After the recess, members were more vocal in their protests, forcing the Chair to adjourn the House about two minutes into the post-lunch session.

Outside House, CPM leader in the Rajya Sabha TK Rangrajan said the government was not interested in running the House. “The Opposition wants a discussion and House to run,” he said.  — TNS