The Rajya Sabha was adjourned within six minutes of convening for the day after Chairman Venkaiah Naidu refused to admit notices by members to debate fuel price hike and the general strike call given by trade unions and atrocities against Dalits in Rajasthan.
Mr. Naidu named the seven members who had moved notices under Rule 267 to suspend the business of the day to debate these issues and adjourned the House till 12:00. The adjournment came even though the Opposition members were not standing on their seats or raising protests.
Sources said a few Opposition leaders met Mr. Naidu to protest against the abrupt adjournment and he conveyed to them that these issues could be raised during the debate on appropriation and finance bills slated for later in the day.
Reacting to the adjournment, Congress Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh tweeted, “Truly extraordinary that at a few minutes past 11 am, as soon as Opposition MPs got up to raise issues concerning price rise and trade union strike, the Hon’ble Chairman adjourned the Rajya Sabha instantly. Clearly, the Modi Sarkar wants no discussion or debate!”
Zero Hour washed out
Because of the adjournment, the Zero Hour, when members are allowed to raise issues of national importance, was washed out. TMC’s floor leader Derek O’ Brien tweeted, “Every member of Opposition was in their seat. Yet RS adjourned till 12 noon. Zero Hour washed out. BJP running away from discussion on price rise. BJP don’t want Parliamentto run. Show TV footage: country will know truth. Hon.Chairman, Sir. You are an honorable man.”
On the other hand, in the Lok Sabha, the business advisory committee that has members from across the parties, has allotted time for a debate on Ukraine and inflation.
