Treasury Bench disrupts RS, Opposition flays government over budget debate

New Delhi, Feb 8:  Members from the treasury benches on Thursday disrupted the Rajya Sabha and forced an adjournment by shouting slogans and coming into the aisle as Congress MP P. Chidambaram stood up to speak on the Budget in the post-lunch sitting.

The opposition accused the government of running away from a debate on the Budget.

As soon as the House met at 2 p.m., the Chair called out Chidambaram’s me who was scheduled to speak on the Union Budget. As Chidambaram, a former Fince Minister stood up to speak, some members from the treasury benches stood up and started making noise.

A minute later, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anth Kumar walked into the House. Kumar, after taking his seat, was seen gesturing at the ruling party MPs all of whom then stood up and trooped into the aisle. Leader of Opposition Ghulam bi Azad told Anth Kumar that it did not behove the treasury benches members to disturb the House. “Mr Parliamentary Affairs Minister, with a great difficulty the Chairman and the opposition parties succeeded after a great deal of discussion since yesterday in deciding that this House should function. And this time not a single opposition member got up,” Azad said.

“For the first time, the ruling party does not want to discuss the government business. This is a total failure of the government,” he added. (IANS)