Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day amid disruptions

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Thursday as the logjam continued after opposition members created a ruckus on the demonetisation issue.

Soon after the house met post lunch at 2 p.m., Chairman Hamid Ansari asked the members to resume the debate on demonetisation but opposition members raised slogans, which were countered by some members from the treasury benches.

Ansari adjourned the house for the day. Earlier it was adjourned twice over the same issue.

When the house assembled at 12, opposition members began raising slogans against the demonetisation of Rs 500 and 1,000 notes that has triggered a nationwide cash crunch.

Ansari then adjourned the house till 2 p.m.

Earlier, the upper house was adjourned after it assembled in the morning.

When the House met for the day, opposition alleged, more than 100 people have died so far in the aftermath of demonetisation.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said that opposition was making it a usual practice to raise the issue, even as a structured debate has already been initiated.

He said: "November 8 will remain a historic day in India."

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said many marriages have been disrupted due to demonetisation and people could not purchase even medicines due to cash crunch.

Members from the treasury benches taunted Azad, saying the opposition levels allegations against the government but does not listen when the government tries to respond.

Ansari told them that it was an established practice that either the Leader of House or the Leader of Opposition was allowed to speak when they wanted.

The house was adjourned till noon after Ansari's plea went unheeded.

--IANS

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