Lok Sabha adjourned for the day amid ruckus

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day yet again on Thursday without transacting any meaningful business as pandemonium continued over the demonetisation decision of the government.

As the opposition members continued raising slogans and demanding a debate with voting over the issue as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence during the debate, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan was forced to adjourn the house.

When the house re-assembled at 2 p.m. after two adjournments, the Speaker took up the Supplementary Demands for Grants, but Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge was seen on his feet asking for permission to speak.

Mahajan, however, sought an assurance that the opposition would let the house function if she allows him to speak.

With opposition not giving any assurance, the Supplementary Demands for Grants was passed amid the din by voice vote.

The house was then adjourned for the day.

Earlier, when the house met at 12 noon after the first adjournment, the Speaker warned of "harsh steps" if opposition members did not stop protesting and disrupting others who were speaking.

"It is not proper to come in front of a member and disturb them and it is happening here," Mahajan told the house as the opposition members raised slogans near her podium.

"I would like members to keep this in mind, so that we do not have to take any harsh steps. Any member speaking is an elected member and has the right to speak," she said.

Mahajan then continued the Zero Hour amid sloganeering before adjourning it until 2 p.m.

The lower house saw protests again over demonetisation as opposition members raised slogans demanding a debate with voting over the issue and Prime Minister Modi's presence in the house.

The opposition members were on their feet as soon as the house met and gathered near the Speaker shouting slogans.

In the din, Mahajan carried out the Question Hour for about half-an-hour, repeatedly warning the protesting members.

But the ruckus only got noisier and the house was adjourned until noon.

--IANS

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