Deadlock in Rajya Sabha continued for the fourth day today as opposition kept demanding reply by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a debate on religious conversions which the government steadfastly rejected.
Though the Prime Minister was present in the House during the Question Hour, the proceedings were consumed by arguments between the opposition and treasury benches over procedures of a debate on the communal incidents in the country.
Thursday is a day when questions related to the portfolios held by the Prime Minister are listed for reply.
As the Opposition continued to press its demand leading to repeated adjournments, Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government was ready to debate the issue immediately but asserted that Opposition cannot dictate who will reply from the government side and what will be the terms and conditions.
Ruling out a reply by the Prime Minister, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkiah Naidu said as per the rules the Home Minister will reply after the debate as the issue relates to his ministry.
Congress leader Anand Sharma said by rejecting the Opposition demand, "the Government is being arrogant." He said Opposition parties want the House to run but for that Prime Minister should come and reply to the debate.
However, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, " Government has no intention of being arrogant, we want this house to function."
He further added, "Fact that one house is functioning properly and other is not allowed to function, means It’s arrogance of numbers and not the government"
Updates:
12:58 IST Thursday, 18 December 2014
Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari asked Opposition to start the discussion over the conversion issue. However, Opposition remained firm on its demand of statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
12:57 IST Thursday, 18 December 2014
Opposition creates an upror demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on conversions.
12:48 IST Thursday, 18 December 2014
There is no intention of the Opposition to lower Prime Minister's dignity, but he must reply on the conversion row, says Congress leader Anand Sharma
12:15 IST Thursday, 18 December 2014
Rajya Sabha adjourned for 15 minutes after oppn creates uproar demanding PM's presence in House.
PAR-SCHEDULE
Following is the Parliament Schedule for Dec 18, 2014
LOK SABHA
1. Calling attention on situation arising out of hike in prices of life saving drugs
2. Lokpal and Lokayuktas and other related Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014
3. Regional Rural Banks (Amendment) Bill, 2014 4. Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2014
5. Discussion on Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
6. Discussion on need to take effective steps to curb Chit Fund scams
RAJYA SABHA
1. Obituary reference
2. Short Duration discussion on India's engagement with its strategic partners
3. Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2008
4. Appropriation (No.4) Bill, 2014
5. Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2014
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}