New Delhi, April 4 : The proceedings of the Rajya Sabha were hit in the first half on Monday with Opposition MPs continued to protest government policies on fuel prices. Notices given by Opposition members including Congress MP KC Venugopal, DMK’s Tiruchi Siva, CPI’s Binoy Viswam and AITC’s Abir Ranjan Biswas seeking suspension of business to discuss increasing fuel prices of petroleum products and other essential commodities were not admitted by Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu leading to protests in the House. First, the House was adjourned till 12 noon during Zero Hour and later, when the House reassembled at 12 for Question Hour, till 2 PM. Chairman Naidu, willing to proceed with Zero Hour said, “You want to see that the Zero Hour of other members is nullified. Please you had enough opport ty during Financial Bill and Appropriation Bill to discuss all these issues.” Later, at 12 noon the Opposition Members trooped to the well chanting slogans forcing Deputy Chairman Dr Sasmit Patra to adjourn the House till 2 PM. In the ongoing session of Rajya Sabha, Chairman Naidu has maintained that the issue of rising petroleum prices should not be discussed under rule 267. The prices of petrol and diesel have gone up substantially in past few days. ASU SY 1404
