The Uttarakhand issue forced repeated adjournments of the Rajya Sabha today. The Upper House of Parliament was finally adjourned for the day at 4 PM. Earlier, the House witnessed an uproar during its post-lunch session with the opposition parties demanding that the Uttarakhand Appropriation Bill be shelved in view of the floor test in the State Assembly this morning. The Congress members claimed since their party has won the trust vote, there is no need for returning the Appropriation Bill of the Hill State. <br/><br/>This was objected to by the treasury bench members who pointed out that it was a Constitutional obligation. Leader of the House Arun Jaitley reminded the House that the President had directed Parliament to return the Uttarakhand Appropriation Bill, which is a Money Bill. Mr Jaitley pointed out that the State Assembly had not passed the budget because of the political developments. <br/><br/>The Governor had also not given his assent to the documents sent by the Assembly Speaker. This is why the Centre promulgated an ordinance to ensure that expenditures incurred by the state obtain Constitutional validity. When the House re-assembled at 2 PM, Congress members surged in the well condemning the Centre for its action in Uttarakhand. <br/><br/>Amidst the uproar, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi sought the Chair's direction to clear the Appropriation Bill as had been agreed by all parties including the Congress yesterday. He said if the agitating members stalled the passing of the three money bills including the Appropriation Bill 2016 and the Finance Bill, 2016, they will be passed by a voice vote without discussion.Amidst the uproar Prof. <br/><br/>Kurien adjourned the House for fifteen minutes till 3 PM. <br/>Later, the House took up the discussion on the Appropriation Bill, 2016 and the Finance Bill, 2016. As the uproar continued, Prof. Kurien adjourned the House once again till 4 PM. After the House re-assembled, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said BJP should apologise to the nation for its role in Uttarakhand. Before adjourning the House for the day, Deputy Chairman Prof. Kurien announced that all the bills will be discussed tomorrow.
News On AIR | May 10, 2016 8:57 PM
Rajya Sabha faces repeated adjournments over Uttarakhand Appropriation Bill