Both Houses of Parliament adjourned for day after ruckus over demonetisation
23 November, New Delhi
For the fifth day Wednesday , Parliament could not transact any substantial business due to uproar over demonetisation issue as both Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha witnessed repeated adjournments amid allegations and counter-allegation by the members of opposition and treasury benches.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day following pandemonium over the issue. When the House reassembled at noon after first adjournment, opposition members including Congress, TMC,Left and RJD demanded discussion on the issue under relevant rule which entails voting.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said, the government is ready for discussion on the issue. He, however, expressed concern that no business was transacted in the house since 17th of this month due to continued disruption.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day amid noisy scenes. It witnessed two adjournments before adjourning for the day. Congress members repeatedly trooped into the well of the House demanding Prime Minister’s presence during debate on scrapping of high value currency notes.
Earlier, Deputy Chairman Prof. P J Kurien adjourned the House for 35 minutes till Noon. There was no improvement in the situation when the House re-assembled at Noon. This forced Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari to adjourn the proceedings till 2 PM.
Earlier, Anand Sharma of the Congress alleged that the government has created financial anarchy in the country by demonetisation. Sharad Yadav of JD(U) reiterated his demand for payment of compensation to the kith and kin of those who reportedly died of trauma while queuing outside banks and ATMs.
Mayawati of BSP said the situation in the country is grim and the absence of Prime Minister in the House is an insult. Sitaram Yechury of CPIM said the government is answerable to the House and Parliament is answerable to the people.
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy of Trinamool Congress demanded that Prime Minister should come to the House. Meanwhile, some of the BJP members shouted slogans seeking resumption of discussion on demonetisation.