Both Houses Adjourned Again as Opposition Demands Discussion on Fuel Price Hike

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha were adjourned for the day on Tuesday amid a continued uproar by the Opposition, led by the Congress, over a demand for a discussion on the rising fuel prices.

The Upper House could not transact any substantial business as it first witnessed an adjournment at around 11.20 till noon and another one till 2 pm.

Lok Sabha proceedings, too, were adjourned for the day amid protests by Opposition members over rising fuel prices.

When the House reconvened at 2 p.m, several Opposition members demanded a rollback of the fuel price hikes.

As the protests continued, Rajendra Agrawal, who was in the Chair, adjourned the proceedings for the day.

During Question Hour, Opposition members, mainly from the Congress, trooped to the Well and started raising slogans.

In Rajya Sabha, when the House reassembled again at 2 pm, the Opposition continued to demand a discussion on the rising fuel prices even as Deputy Chairman Harivansh  appealed to the protesting members, including those in the Well, to return to their seats.

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a debate on the issue.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad insisted on taking up the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill 2021, which seeks to replace an ordinance in this regard, saying its passage is essential. It has already been passed by the Lok Sabha.

Senior Congress MP Anand Sharma said according to the tradition in the House, no government Bill is taken up when the Opposition is demanding a discussion over an important issue.

"Opposition has a right to take up the issue," he said as several Opposition members kept raising slogans demanding a discussion on the rising fuel prices.

Amid the uproar, the deputy chairman adjourned the House for the day.

Harivansh said since the chairman has already disallowed the notice, it cannot be reopened.