NEW DELHI: Notice of adjournment, moved by the Opposition to discuss the prevailing flood situation in Chennai , was accepted in the Lok Sabha today.
The Opposition Congress Members mobbed the Well and raised slogans against the government and Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh, demanding apology from the latter for his ‘anti Dalit’ remarks.
As soon as the House met for the day, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan delivered her ruling, rejecting all notices of adjournment moved by the Opposition to raise various issues including, flood situation in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu and the issue of “anti-Dalit remarks”.
This evoked sharp reaction from the Opposition benches as most of the Congress Members trooped into the Well and resorted to slogan shouting.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu rose to intervene and express government’s willingness for taking up discussion on the flood situation in Chennai. Mr Naidu said, “We respect the ruling of the Chair .., normally the adjournment notices are rejected, this is a normal practice, but the situation in Chennai is precarious .., Chennai is waterlogged for almost three weeks, around 180 people have died and several thousands are stranded in difficult situation .., several train services were cancelled.”
The Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also spoken to state Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and assured of all support, therefore the notice of adjournment for discussing the issue may please be accepted as an exceptional case.
On the Minister’s request, the Speaker accepted the notice on the issue and then proceeded with the Question Hour. However, protest and slogan shouting in the Well by Congress Members continued, demanding an opportunity to raise the issue against Mr V K Singh.
Ms Mahajan said this has already been discussed in the House and the Home Minister has also given a detailed reply.
This did not satisfy the protesting Members who continued to raised placards which said “Mantriji, maafi maango (Mr Minister, tender an apology”, “Mantriji, hosh me aao” (Mr Minister, come to senses). (UNI)
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