Price issue rocks Parliament, both Houses adjourned

The issue of price rise stalled proceedings in both Houses of Parliament for the third consecutive day on Thursday with the opposition demanding discussion under a rule that entails voting.

Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon within minutes of assembling for the day as Opposition led by BJP, SP and BSP raised slogans and stormed the Well with demands for discussion on price rise.

In the Lok Sabha, soon after Speaker Meira Kumar read out the obituary references, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj demanded suspension of Question Hour and immediate discussion on price rise under Rule 184 that includes voting.
Swaraj said the Opposition members were "saddened" by the Speaker's decision yesterday to disallow Adjournment Motion moved by them.

"Since you had said that the issue of price rise can be discussed under any other rule, we want the Question Hour to be set aside and discussion on the matter taken up immediately," she said.

NDA convenor and JD(U) president Sharad Yadav said the Opposition is faced with a dilemma on how to confront the Speaker.

"After lot of thought we have decide to give a notice for discussion under Rule 184," Yadav said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the government had never shied away from discussion on any issue and pointed out that the opposition members have made their point during the 90-minute discussion yesterday.

As the Opposition insisted on discussion under Rule 184, Bansal said that since Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyay had given a notice under Rule 193 (which does not entail voting) on July 27 it should get precedence.

Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav said the opposition members were not in favour of disruption of proceedings of the House.

"But, never before has the entire opposition joined hands to demand discussion on an issue. Since the entire opposition is speaking in one voice, discussion under Rule 184 should be allowed," he said, adding that the Speaker should protect the Opposition.

Citing rules, the Speaker said she would examine the notices given by the opposition and refer the matter to the Business Advisory Committee.