Opposition leaders stage a protest over rise in fuel prices in Rajya Sabha during the Budget Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on March 8. (RSTV/PTI Photo)
New Delhi, March 8 (PTI): Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day as Opposition members continued their protest over rising fuel prices on Monday.
When the House reconvened at 7 pm after an adjournment, the Chair allowed discussion on the issue of women empowerment on the occasion of International Women's Day.
The discussion continued for about 20 minutes amidst continued protest by Opposition members. Rama Devi of the BJP who was on the Chair appealed to the protesting members several times to let the House function so that women members can raise their issues on International Women's Day.
However, the Opposition did not yield prompting the chair to adjourn the House for the day to meet on Tuesday 11 am.
Earlier, the House was adjourned twice.
Washout in Rajya Sabha
The Opposition's continuous uproar and persistent demand for a discussion on the increase in petrol, diesel and LPG prices on Monday led to washout of the day's proceedings in Rajya Sabha.
The upper house which met for the first time in the second part of the Budget Session saw repeated adjournments as the Opposition continued protests inside the House.
Rajya Sabha witnessed four adjournments -- first around 10.05 am till 11 am and again till 1 pm and then two quick adjournments of 15 minutes each -- before it was adjourned for the day.
The House will now meet on its regular timing of 11 AM to 6 PM from Tuesday, after Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu accepted the demands of some members for a regular sitting.
The House was meeting for five hours from 9 AM to 2 PM since the first part of the Budget Session that started on January 31.
Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge gave a notice for suspension of business for Monday and demanded a discussion on the "huge and frequent" rise in prices of petrol, diesel and LPG even when global prices were "low".
The Chairman disallowed the discussion, saying the issue can be discussed during the course of discussion on the Appropriation Bill, but asked Kharge to mention the subject of his notice considering his seniority.
Kharge said price of petrol was touching Rs 100 and diesel Rs 80 per litre, while LPG rates have increased and prices of petroleum products have gone up.
He claimed that that there has been nearly 820 per cent increase in the prices of petrol and around 258 per cent in excise duty after 2014. He said the central government has made a "profit" of Rs 21 lakh crore in the last six years from tax and cess on petroleum products. Describing it as a "burning subject", he said people are agitating across the country.
"That's why we are requesting you to suspend all the rules under Rule 267 and give us a chance to speak on this subject. Ultimately, what is the government going to tell about this," he said.
When the Chairman asked him to stop raising the issue and take up the Question Hour, the Opposition members began shouting slogans demanding a debate.
Naidu kept asking members to return to their seats and not deprive members of Question Hour, but the Opposition members were relentless in their demand and kept on shouting.
As members continued to shout, he adjourned the House till 11 am.
