RS adjourns amid protests by members on various issues

The Rajya Sabha was today adjourned for the day amid continuing protests by opposition parties and NDA ally TDP on various issues including demand for special status to Andhra Pradesh, the Cauvery row, sealing in Delhi and bank fraud.

As soon as the Upper House reconvened at 2 pm after an adjournment earlier in the day, Trinamool Congress (TMC) member Sukhendu Sekhar Roy stood up seeking the Chair's permission to raise a point of order.

However, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha P J Kurien, who was in the Chair, said the House needs to be in order first.

Unrelenting members from TDP stormed the Well carrying placards demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh while the AIADMK demanded setting up of Cauvery water management board.

Joining them, Aam Aadmi Party members shouted slogans seeking an end to the sealing drive in Delhi whereas the Congress and the TMC raised the bank fraud issue.

Amid the noisy protests, Minister of State for Drinking Water and Sanitation S S Ahluwalia laid on the table of the House the statement regarding the status of implementation of recommendations contained in the 35th report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development on Demands for Grants (2017-18).

However, as the pandemonium continued, Kurien adjourned the proceedings of the House for the day after barely a couple of minutes.

Earlier in the day, after the papers were laid in the House, members of TDP, YSRC, TMC, AIADMK and AAP were up on their feet seeking to raise a point of order.

Chairman Venkaiah Naidu tried to pacify the members and conduct the Zero Hour but the protesting members trooped into the Well holding placards and shouting slogans. The only Congress member protesting in the Well was K V P Ramachandra Rao from Andhra Pradesh.

"When there is no order, how can there be a point of order? This is too much," Naidu said asking members to go back to their seats.

"I don't find any reason to come to the Well of House," the Chairman said adding that he is allowing discussion on all subjects.

With members continuing their protest, the Chair was forced to adjourn the House till 2 pm.

The Upper House did not function the entire last week due to uproar by the opposition as well as NDA ally TDP, barring one hour on March 8 when members participated in a discussion to mark the International Women's Day.