New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen attending the Lok Sabha session, which was adjourned within minutes on Wednesday. Rajya Sabha on the other hand began on a promising note, but some members started protesting as soon as MoS Home Kiren Rijiju spoke in the House.
The Congress said it would raise Rijiju’s alleged involvement in the Rs 540 crore hydro-electric scam in Rajya Sabha. Congress leader Anand Sharma had given a notice under rule 267 in Rajya Sabha for discussion on the matter.
BJP and Congress had issued whips asking their members in both Houses to ensure their presence for the remainder of the Winter session with the issue of demonetisation casting a shadow.
Before Parliament reconvened, leaders of Opposition parties held a meeting in the morning to decide their strategy in the House.
On its part, the ruling BJP also issued a whip to ensure that the treasury benches are in full strength in both Houses.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday again asked Congress and other rival parties to start debate on demonetisation.
Both the government and the Opposition, especially Congress and TMC, have stuck to their stand that the debate be held under a Rule that entails voting which the treasury benches have ruled out.
Last Friday, Congress changed its stand and expressed readiness for debate under “no rule”. However, the ruling side created ruckus and the debate could not take place.
Pitching for a debate, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today urged the Congress and other opposition parties to “rise above slogans…” as he urged them for a debate in Parliament.
The Winter Session, which began on November 16, is scheduled to conclude on Friday, with indications that it could be a virtual washout.
Parliament has seen little transaction of any substantial business because of the Opposition ruckus over demonetisation and some other issues.
Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha continued to be deadlocked over the way a debate should take place on demonetisation announced by the Prime Minister on November 8.
Ever since the session began, the Lok Sabha has managed to conduct only two legislative actions — passage of Income Tax amendment bill and approval of Supplementary Demand for Grants — that too amid din and without much debate.
The Rajya Sabha has functioned normally only on the first day of the session when the debate on demonetisation was initiated and held for about 5 hours.
PTI