NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha did not function for the sixth day on Wednesday as opposition members continued their stir with Congress members demanding Joint Parliamentary probe on demonetisation.
Congress members stormed into the Well of the House carrying placards that wrote: "We want JPC (Joint Parliamentary probe) on demonetisation".
The opposition continued their agitation on a high pitch demanding the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the House to offer an explanation and participate in discussions on demonetization and hardships being caused due to the withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 rupee notes.
Deputy speaker of Rajya Sabha P J Kurien pulled up Congress leader Anand Sharma after he made an attempt to raise a Point of Order, which was rejected as the chair was not convinced with his argument that the House has violated the Constitution.
At 2 PM, when the House reconvened after two adjournments due to opposition uproar, Kurien allowed Sharma to raise a Point of Order.
However, Sharma’s attempt to raise the Point of Order was disturbed by shouting from the Treasury benches, which provoked Kurien. Kurien threatened action against Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi after he questioned the chair.
Naqvi had said that the members wanted a debate on the issue, to which Kurien said that a Point of Order can be raised and it is answered. Kurien said that a Point of Order can be raised and it is answered.
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (TMC) said Prime Minister cannot make statements on policy decisions outside the House when Parliament is in session and went on to ask the Chair to give a ruling on Modi repeatedly speaking outside the House.
Soon Kurien asked members to resume the debate started on Wednesday last week, the first day of the Parliament session , suggesting that all points the Opposition has been raising can be mentioned there.
"How do you know Prime Minister may not come...Start the discussion, Prime Minister may come," he said. But this did not convince the opposition. This followed the suspension of the House for the day.