The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day following repeated disruptions over the Gujarat issue. As soon as the House met for its post-lunch session for the second time, the opposition members rushed into the well of the House shouting slogans and demanding a reply from the government on the matter.They were agitating over the Income Tax Department seeking information from the Gujarat government on the number of MoUs signed by the State and the details of investors, both domestic and foreign. The House witnessed three adjournments in the pre- lunch and two in the post-lunch session before finally adjourning for the day.When the House reassembled at 3 P.M., the leader of the Opposition, Mr. Arun Jaitley of the BJP said that the opposition wants a smooth functioning of the House. It wants a positive response from the government. Otherwise the move will complicate the Centre-state relations. He said that other opposition-ruled States have also been complaining of discrimination by the Centre.Recalling the chairman's observation earlier that the opposition's behaviour in the House was an extraordinary commentary on the working of the Indian democracy, Mr. Jaitley said that such a stricture is unwarranted.Amidst the continuing din, the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ashwani Kumar rose to say something which could not be heard. The Deputy Chairman, Mr. K. Rahman Khan finally adjourned the House after his repeated pleas to the agitating members to withdraw from the well of the House went unheeded.In the continuing bedlam the House conducted some legislative business when Ministers tabled the papers listed against their names.
News On AIR | March 16, 2011 7:08 PM
Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day