© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The central government Thursday told the Rajya Sabha that it was ready for a short-duration discussion in the House on the situation in Manipur but the Opposition insisted on a comprehensive debate under a rule which entails suspension of all other business and after a statement by the Prime Minister, triggering noisy scenes and adjournment of the House till 2 pm.
As the House met for the Monsoon Session, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said he has received 12 notices under Rule 176 for Short Duration Discussion – eight notices on the Manipur situation, three notices on the concerns over the Balasore train accident and railway safety, one notice over unemployment.
The notices on Manipur violence were given by AGP’s Birendra Prasad Baishya, BJP’s Brijlal, Rakesh Sinha, RJD’s A D Singh and Manoj Kumar Jha, CPM’s John Brittas and Congress’ Ranjeet Ranjan.
Union Minister and Leader of the House Piyush Goyal then got up and said “on behalf of the government we are ready for a discussion on Manipur and there is absolutely no problem in accepting this notice.”
Chairman Dhankhar said, “since the Leader of the House has volunteered that the Government is keen for a discussion on Manipur…I find the notices in order….” He said that under the mandate of the Rule for Short Duration Discussion, he has to consult the Leader of the House for the time and date.
Several Opposition members, including Trinamool Congress’s Derek O’Brien, then pointed out that members had given notices under 267 as well.
Intervening, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge asked “how a Leader of the House (can) suddenly get up and say we are ready because the agenda is not read fully. We have also given notices under 267…..you have to suspend all other business and take up this…not half an hour.”
Congress’ Jairam Ramesh demanded the presence of the Prime Minister in the House. “Let the Prime Minister give a statement…we will discuss,” Kharge added.
O’Brien said the provisions regarding Rule 267 are clear. He said the rule says that “any rule be suspended in its application to a motion to the business listed before the Council of the day…the rule in question shall be suspended for the time being”.
He said that means that “no other business till 267 is discussed first…where does 176 come into this. There is no 176. It is on 267. We want a discussion here on Manipur and the Prime Minister has to open his mouth on Manipur.”
Chairman Dhankhar said the government is “keen and agreeable” for a short duration discussion under 176. “I will have consultation with the Leader of the House and decide it accordingly,” he said and adjourned the House till 2 pm amid vociferous protests by Opposition members.
