Opposition disrupts Parliament again

Protests over the new sugarcane pricing policy disrupted proceedings in both Houses of Parliament for the second day on Friday with the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha adjourning for the day.

As soon as the Lok Sabha met, Opposition members were on their feet demanding suspension of Question Hour to make way for discussion on the situation arising out of the new Sugarcane (Control) Order.

BJP member Murli Manohar Joshi, CPI(M) leader Basudeb Acharia and some others pressed for suspension of the Question Hour.

The House witnessed slogan shouting for withdrawal of the Order, which fixes a uniform Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), which would put the burden on states if they choose to pay more than FRP to farmers.

As the din continued, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the House for an Hour till noon. The uproar continued after House reassembled, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the proceedings for the day.

Similar scenes were witnessed in Rajya Sabha, which plunged into chaos as soon as Chairman Hamid Ansari called the House to order.

Samajwadi Party members led by Amar Singh trooped into the well but returned when it was pointed out that nominated member H K Dua has been called to take oath.

Soon after he took oath, SP members were in the well while main opposition BJP and Left parties rose on their seats shouting slogans against the ordinance.

Ansari then adjourned the House for 15 minutes. When the House reassembled, SP members again rushed to the well.

Ansari said he has received a notice from Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitely suggesting that the Question Hour be suspended but said he cannot allow that as the issue was listed for short duration discussion.

BJP members demanded that Jaitley be allowed to speak.

"We will take it up at appropriate time (but) not during the Question Hour," Ansari said.

Angry SP and BJP members trooped into the well forcing Ansari to adjourn the House till 1200 noon and then eventually for the day.