Parliament Proceedings washed out over demonetisation issue

17 November, New Delhi

Proceedings in both the Houses of Parliament were washed out Thursday over demonetization issue as Lok Sabha managed to transact business only till noon amid uproar while the Rajya Sabha witnessed five adjournments before both the houses adjourned for the day.

In the Lok Sabha, the opposition was insisting for a debate under relevant rule which entails voting. First, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House till 12.30 following continuous slogan shouting by the opposition members in the well. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge demanded adjournment of the Question Hour to take up discussion on demonetization.

Intervening, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the government is ready to discuss the issue under rule 193 which does not provide for voting. However, the Congress, TMC, Left, AIADMK, NCP and other party members trooped into the well shouting slogans.

The Rajya Sabha witnessed five adjournments before adjourning for the day. When the House re-assembled at 3 PM, opposition members continued to demand that Prime Minister should be present in the House to listen to the views of the members and respond to the hardships faced by the people. The House witnessed heated exchanges between the opposition and treasury bench members.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu took a strong exception to certain remarks of the Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad over the alleged death due to demonetization. Terming Azad’s remark as anti-national, Naidu demanded that the Congress should apologise for such a statement.

AIADMK members also registered their protest by trooping into the well demanding the setting up of Cauvery Management Board. In the din, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar tried to make a statement, but he could not be heard due to the slogan-shouting.

Kurien tried to resume the debate on demonetisation, but as his repeated attempts failed, he adjourned the House for the day.