Oppn demand for adjournment motion rejected

Opposition's demand for an adjournment motion on the issue of price rise today fell flat in the Lok Sabha with Speaker Meira Kumar rejecting it saying it did not involve failure of the Government in discharging its duties.

The rejection of the demand led to an uproar by opposition parties forcing adjournment of the Lok Sabha for the day but not before members were allowed to argue why they were for or against the motion which entails voting.

In the Rajya Sabha, the members created an uproar over the demand for a discussion on the issue under a rule that entails voting, leading to its abrupt adjournment for the second day without transacting any business.

The adjournment notices were given by several opposition parties including BJP, CPI, CPI(M), JD(U), BJD, TDP, RSP, Forward Bloc and AIADMK. The BSP which supports the government form outside had also given notice for such a motion as also Samajwadi Party.

JD(U) chief and NDA convener Sharad Yadav said the move was not to destabilise the government but to "wake up the government from its deep slumber".

"I appreciate the concern expressed by the opposition over price rise. The House certainly has a right to discuss it," Kumar said, adding, however, the issue should be only for discussion.

"Adjournment motion can be attracted only in case of failure of the government to perform constitutional and legal duties. That is not the case here," she said disallowing the motions.

Besides, she held that in the present case, the decision taken by the government was an exercise of its executive power, the merit of which cannot be considered by the Chair, but the House has full authority to discuss it.