No business in RS for six days in a row

Pained over the pandemonium in the House, the Deputy Speaker called the behaviour of the members "unruly" and "undemocratic"

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday witnessed an unprecedented situation with the opposition Congress and treasury benches indulging in heated exchanges.

When the House re-assembled at 3 pm after several adjournments, Deputy Chairman Professor PJ. Kurien said that the House would take up the Whistle Blowers Protection Amendment Bill 2015 for further consideration and passing. It could not be taken up due to the uproar.

Power Minister Piyush Goyal said the House should not be adjourned even as the opposition continued with sloganeering, as the ruling party members are ready to transact business till midnight.

He was joined by his other ministerial colleagues, including Human Resources Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani and Health Minister J P Nadda. When the Congress members were shouting slogans in the well, ministers present in the House were on their feet at their seats.

Pained over the pandemonium in the House, Professor Kurien remarked: "The behaviour of the members is unruly and undemocratic. The agitating members are hijacking the House."

Later, he adjourned the House for the day.

Earlier, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the Congress was committed to passing the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2015 in the current session, but the House should be in order.

The bill was moved for discussion yesterday by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot.