Parliamentary proceedings must not be disrupted: Rajnath

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday expressed concern over the logjam in parliament and urged the political parties to ensure smooth functioning of both the houses by participating in debates.

"The proceedings of the House must not be disrupted under any circumstances. People expect that their elected representatives would raise thier issues and actively participate in parliamentary debates," he told reporters in the parliament house complex.

He also made it clear that the government was ready to discuss any issue to be raised by the opposition and other political parties.

"Please don't disturb the proceedings. It is unfortunate that the proceedings of the House is being disturbed," he said.

The Home Minister sought cooperation from all political parties to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament.

"I appeal to all the political parties to let the House function. Even, I had a talk with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he is also of the view that there must be discsussion on the issues which opposition wants to raise. We are ready to discuss every issue," he said.

Rajnath Singh urged the opposition and other political parties to sit with the government and become a part of a healthy debate.

The Parliament remained deadlocked for the ninth consecutive day on Thursday as the opposition parties, NDA constituent Telugu Desam Party and some others stuck to their various demands even as the ruling BJP and main opposition Congress traded charges, accusing each other for the logjam.

Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day on Thursday after Congress, Trinamool Congress, TDP, YSR Congress and AIADMK members trooped near chair's podium holding placards and raising slogans against the ruling dispensation.

The members from the Congress, the Trinamool and some other opposition parties have been protesting against the banking fraud committed by Nirav Modi and his associates, while the TDP and the YSR Congress have been demonstrating for special status to Andhra Pradesh.

The AIADMK has been demanding set up of a board for the management of the Cauvery river water.

The first week of the resumed Budget Session of Parliament was a complete washout as it failed to transact any business. After washout of the first two days of the second week, the government succeeded in passing the Finance Bill 2018, as well as the Appropriation Bill and demands for grants on Wednesday in Lok Sabha without any debate as the House witnessed continued disruption.

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed two bills amid din. Minister of State for Labour, Santosh Kumar Gangwar moved The Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017, which was passed through voice vote in the din. The government then moved The Specific Relief (Amendment) Bill, 2017, which was also passed amid din through voice vote.

--IANS

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