Rajya Sabha functions briefly, then adjourned

The Rajya Sabha functioned briefly on Tuesday before it was adjourned till 2 p.m.

The house conducted business for some time when it took up some zero hour notices. But the order did not last for long, and the question hour was adjourned because of disruptions.

When the house met at 11 a.m., papers were laid and Biju Janata Dal member Anubhav Mohanty said he wanted to raise a point of order. He said his rights as a member of the house were being violated because of repeated disruptions.

"There are many important issues to be raised. I am not able to use my rights as a member because of disruptions," Mohanty said.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien then allowed Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Sanjiv Kumar to raise the issue of a stampede at a temple in Deoghar.

From the government's side, union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "The incident is unfortunate... A committee has been formed under the home secretary. The home minister has also asked the home secretary if forces are needed."

Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal expressed concern that MPs were being shown in a poor light because of subsidised food at the parliament canteen.

"Planned attempts are being made to destroy the image of the members. It is being shown as if we are just eating subsidised food here," he said.

He was joined by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad who said it was a serious issue.

Kurien then allowed a few more members to speak and around 11.40 a.m. adjourned the house saying there were no more zero hour notices.

When the house met at noon, Chairman M. Hamid Ansari congratulated the members for "partial return of normalcy", but it did not last long.

"I congratulate partial return of normalcy, I hope it continues in question hour as well," Ansari said.

However, Congress members then trooped near the chairman's podium with placards and raised slogans against the government.

Amid the din, Ansari first adjourned the house till 12.30 p.m. and then till 2 p.m.