Protests over fuel prices as Parliament’s Budget Session resumes, RS adjourned till 1 pm

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 1 pm on Monday amid uproar by Opposition members seeking a debate on the issue of frequent increase in fuel prices.

Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjuna Kharge gave a notice for suspension of business to discuss "huge and frequent increase in prices of petrol, diesel and LPG even when global prices are ruling low."

"You are aware that the ruling of the Chairman can't be reopened. It can't be discussed," said Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh before adjourning the House till 1 pm, as Congress MPs continued to demand a discussion on fuel price rise and raised slogans.

However, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu did not allow the discussion, saying the issue can be debated "during the course of discussion on the Appropriation bill."

As the Chair decided to continue the scheduled Question Hour, Opposition parties began shouting slogans seeking a debate on the issue.

The Chair kept on asking members to go back to their seats and not deprive members from the Question Hour.

However, Opposition members kept on shouting.

"If you don't want the Question Hour to continue, if you want to deprive people of Question Hour, I can adjourn the House. .... Please go to your seat. Loktantra ka majak nahi karna hai... (Don't make a joke of democracy," the Chairman said.

As members continued to shout, the Chairman adjourned the House till 11 am.

The second part of the Budget session of Parliament began Monday and is scheduled to conclude on April 8.