RS stalled for 5th day

Even as the Lok Sabha resumed its functions, the Rajya Sabha remained disrupted for the fifth consecutive day over the proposal for quota for SC/STs in government job promotions. As soon as the House assembled in the morning for question hour, members of the BJP-led NDA were on their feet demanding a discussion on the plan for voting on the FDI-in-retail issue. BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu reminded Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari that his party had given a notice for discussion. Meanwhile, sloganeering continued against the move to bring FDI in retail.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Narayansamy suggested that the Opposition could raise the issue during zero hour. The SP,  meanwhile, raised objections against any move to bring in quota in promotion of government jobs, as demanded by the BSP. With the uproar continuing, the chair adjourned the House until noon. But similar scenes continued, when the House reconvened. After some of the papers listed in the agenda were tabled amid the din, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien adjourned the House until Friday.