New Delhi, Nov 22 After repeated
adjournments, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day at 2 p.m. amidst pandemonium
by the opposition MPs demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence in the
House over the demonetisation issue.
The House saw adjournments in the pre-noon session over the demonetisation of
500 and 1,000 rupee notes by the government and the travails of the common
people due to cash crunch.
While the opposition demanded Prime Minister Modi's presence in the House, the
government accused the opposition of running away from orderly discussion on
the issue.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien told the protesting opposition members
that he could not ask Prime Minister Modi to be present during the discussion.
As soon as the Rajya Sabha met at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, the opposition members
started raising a ruckus. The chair requested the members to allow the House
papers to be laid on the table.
Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader Sharad Yadav demanded compensation for the
families of the people who have died post-demonetisation as a result of shock
or exhaustion in long bank queues.
"The government should give Rs 10 lakh compensation to the kin of the
people who have died since demonetisation," Yadav said.
Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati supported Yadav's stand and also demanded
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence in the House.
Minister of State (MoS) for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi urged the
chair to start a discussion on the demonetisation issue and accused the
opposition of avoiding a discussion.
Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "We are ready for discussion,
but the Prime Minister should come to the House."
Meanwhile, the opposition members streamed to the Chairman's podium and started
shouting slogans. The Chair adjourned the House for half an hour.
As soon as the House met at 11.30 a.m., the opposition members again started
loudly demanding Prime Minister's presence.
"Pradhan Mantri sadan me aao (Prime Minister come to the House),"
they shouted.
Naqvi again asked the Chair to initiate discussion on demonetization.
"When the discussion (on demonetisation) started, there was no logic or
facts in their (opposition's) arguments. They struggled for arguments all
through. The discussion should not be in bits and pieces. Please allow a
discussion," Naqvi said.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Sitaram Yechury again demanded
Modi's presence in the upper House.
Azad said the opposition was all for discussion but the Prime Minister should
"come here and listen to people's grievances".
"If he can give speeches all across the country, what stops him from
coming to this House," Azad said.
The House was then adjourned amidst pandemonium till 12 p.m., later till 12.30
p.m. and then till 2 p.m. The House was adjourned for the day minutes after it
met at 2 p.m., but not before Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien made his displeasure
with the opposition's ways clear.
"I am sorry I am not able to run the House in order. This kind of
behaviour is to be condemned...I am helpless,' Kurien said as he adjourned the
House for the day.
