The proceedings of Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 12 noon on Wednesday amid protests by Opposition lawmakers over various issues including inflation, hike in GST rates, alleged misuse of central agencies and hooch tragedy in Gujarat.
Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu refused to admit the notices given by Opposition MPs to suspend the business of the House and discuss the issues under their chosen Rule 267.
“I have received notice from seven-eight people. The notices are not admitted,” Naidu said.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh was warned by Naidu as he stood up to raise Gujarat hooch tragedy even before the Chair could complete.
“Before I say something, Sanjay Singh please sit down. What is this? Height of irresponsibility. I have to say… you don’t want me to say this? I will name you and you will be sent out. You have to understand that. Don’t provoke me to that extent. Chair is announcing something. What to do if you don’t have the patience to listen,” he said.
Naidu said that he did go through the notices by Opposition MPs.
“I have already admitted some of them (under different Rules), so I am not admitting them (under Rule 267),” he said.
Opposition MPs Jawahar Sircar, Tiruchi Siva, Binoy Viswam, Mallikarjun Kharge, Elemaram Kareem, Javed Ali Khan, Prof Ramgopal Yadav, Sanjay Singh, Shaktisinh Gohil and KC Venugopal had submitted notices to the Chairman to discuss the issues.
The Rajya Sabha has been marred by frequent adjournments throughout the Monsoon Session so far. The House registered only 26.90 per cent productivity in the first week and things are no different in the Upper House in the ongoing second week.
On Tuesday, the Opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha protested the move to suspend 19 of its MPs raising slogans ‘We want justice’ inside the House forcing the Chair to adjourn the proceedings for the day.
The 19 MPs were suspended for the remaining part of the week for creating ruckus in the Well of the House despite repeated warnings by the Chair.
