The Rajya Sabha failed to discuss and return the Finance and Appropriation Bills for the second consecutive day, as the Opposition disrupted the proceedings over Uttarakhand trust vote and the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation scam.
Though leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley made repeated requests to the Opposition benches to pass both the Bills as there are legislations such as Bankruptcy Code are pending before the House, the Opposition members insisted that unless they get an assurance on discussing the GSPC scam, they will not allow the House to function.
They shouted slogans demanding an answer from the Centre for the alleged corruption worth ₹20,000 crore in the Gujarat government.
Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien’s statement that the matter is pending for decision with Chairman Hamid Ansari did not satisfy the Opposition members.
“You allowed a discussion on AgustaWestland. Rightly so, it is a very important issue. This issue (GSPC) is equally important,” said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.
Reminding the House that both the Bills are money Bills, Kurien said he may have to pass the Bills amid din if they fail to start discussion.
“The House should also be aware of the fact that it is not only a Money Bill but the Bills we are considering now – the Appropriation No. 2 Bill and the Finance Bill – are also Money Bills. If we don’t discuss and return them, nothing will happen to the nation. After 14 days, it will, automatically, come into force,” he said.
The House witnessed repeated adjournments.
Later the House was adjourned for the day after a meeting of leaders of various parties.