Both the Houses of Parliament witnessed uproarious scenes and disruptions over the Punjab National Bank scam and did not transact any business on the first day of the second lap of the Budget session here on Monday.
While the ruling BJP has put the blame of non-performing assets on the Congress and the UPA, the Opposition has moved adjournment motions in both the Houses seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s explanation on the scam.
In Rajya Sabha, MPs from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh also protested demanding the constitution of Cauvery Management Board and a special status for Andhra Pradesh.
In the morning, the Opposition forced adjournments on these issues and it continued when the House met after lunch.
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said he will not accept a notice by Opposition members under Rule 267 on the PNB scam.
He however said the issue can be allowed under Rule 176 — a short-duration discussion.
The BJP members wanted a discussion on the corruption by a relative of a former minister under Rule 267.
However, disruptions by members from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Congress and the AIADMK led to an adjournment till Tuesday.
Later talking to reporters, Opposition leader in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Prime Minister should address both the Houses of Parliament on the bank scam.
“This is a big national scam. The Prime Minister should address both the Houses of Parliament on this. Modi had promised that he will bring back black money when he becomes Prime Minister. Now, he is sending the white money abroad,” Azad said.
‘Access to government’
Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and Winsome Diamond’s Jatin Mehta had access to the government and its leadership.
“All these three were personally known to the Prime Minister. Since 2016, in writing, complaints were made by Indian citizens, including their franchises and dealers, that this fraud is being committed. The Prime Minister’s office received the complaints, the RBI received the complaints, the Serious Fraud Information Office and the Enforcement Directorate also received the complaints. So when all the agencies were alerted, how were these people allowed to escape from the country, from the law of the land?” he asked.
In Lok Sabha too, Congress members trooped into the well of the House demanding a reply from the Prime Minister on Nirav Modi’s whereabouts.
The Opposition parties have filed adjournment motions on the issue for Tuesday, too.
The Left parties said they will seek cancellation of certain examinations recently conducted by the Staff Selection Commission.
“There is a huge scam in running the affairs of SSC. We will raise the matter in Parliament. Modi promised two crore jobs per year. He not only failed, but his government is manipulating systems like SSC,” said CPI(M) MP MB Rajesh.