RS adjourned after uproar over Gujarat petroleum corporation

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice, first for fifteen minutes and later till noon today on different issues. When the House met for the day and the Zero Hour was taken up, Madhusudan Mistry and Anand Sharma of the Congress referred to a CAG report on oil exploration in the K G Basin and alleged widespread mismanagement of the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) in oil exploration leading to higher costs and financial losses.

They pointed out that this happened when Mr Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister and demanded the Prime Minister’s reply on the issue. To this, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said that the notices by Congress are under consideration of the Chairman and appealed for normalcy but in vain. Meanwhile,



Sukhendu Shekar Roy of the Trinamool Congress demanded a statement from the government on Agusta Westland helicopter deal.

He asked the names of the recipients of the bribes. This triggered off an uproar by the Congress members, who trooped into the well shouting slogans. Mr Kurien told them that shouting slogans is not permissible and they must return to their seats. But, in defiance the Congress members continued shouting forcing the first adjournment. When the House reassembled at 1130 hours, the scene was no better. Amidst the uproar, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi supported the TMC member’s demand for a discussion on Agusta Westland and said it will be taken up on Wednesday.