The deadlock between the government and the Opposition on the issue of price rise stalled the Parliament for the fourth day with both Houses adjourned till August 2.
Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj said in the Lok Sabha, “We have been pressing for a debate on price rise for the past four days either under adjournment m
otion or Rule 184 (which includes voting), but the government is adamant on not having a debate under any rule that entails voting.”
Sources disclosed the issue was later raised during a meeting between Ms Swaraj and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Speaker Meira Kumar told Swaraj that her notice for discussion under Rule 184 was under consideration.
Parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the government never shied away from debate. He accused the Opposition of not allowing the Question Hour to be held during the past four days.
“The Opposition keeps talking about rules, but we are ready for discussion,” said Mr Bansal.
Chaos ruled in the House as the Speaker called for Question Hour. This provoked the BJP members who rushed into the Well and raised slogans against the government. The Speaker then adjourned the proceedings till noon. The scene was repeated when the House reconvened. After rushing through the listed business, the Speaker then adjourned the House for the day. No business could be transacted during the entire week barring parliamentary approval to President’s rule in Jharkhand and introduction of some bills.
The Rajya Sabha could not function properly for another day as the opposition kept up its demand for a discussion of the price rise issue. The moment chairman Hamid Ansari took up the listed questions, the entire Opposition led by BJP stood up protesting. The BJP-led NDA was joined by most of the non-NDA Opposition, including Left, AIADMK, BSP and SP. Dr Ansari was forced to adjourn the House till noon. However, the Opposition didn’t relent, even when the House was reconvened at noon, forcing deputy chairman K. Rehman Khan to adjourn the House till Monday.
The main Opposition BJP said it would continue pressing for debate on the price rise issue under Rule 184 in Lok Sabha and 168 in Rajya Sabha on Monday also.