Opposition demands probe into Adani matter, holds briefing outside Parliament

"We demand day-to-day reporting of Joint Parliamentary Committee or SC-monitored probe headed by the Chief Justice of India on Adani issue," the Congress President said while addressing a press briefing outside the Parliament.

New Delhi: Members of Parliament from the opposition led by CongressPresident Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday demanded a probe into the Adani issue through a joint parliamentary committee or under the cognizance of the Supreme Court. "We demand day-to-day reporting of Joint Parliamentary Committee or SC-monitored probe headed by the Chief Justice of India on Adani issue," the Congress President said while addressing a press briefing outside the Parliament at Vijay Chowk, after the adjournment of both houses due to a ruckus over the same issue.

"When we raise important issues, no time is given for discussion on them. Our notices get rejected. Money of poor people is there in LIC, SBI and other national banks and it is being given to selected companies. We need to have a discussion in Parliament to know the truth," Kharge said. He also said that they submitted an Adjournment notice under the rule 267 of parliament in Lok Sabha, demanding a discussion on the same issues and the loss of market value of the investing companies, which "endangers the hard-earned savings of crores of Indians".

In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar stated that none of the notices received fulfil the requirements under Rule 267, and hence, “they are declined”. His decision was met with shouts from the members, following which he adjourned the House till 2 pm. Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, members raised slogans, interrupting the Question Hour, which eventually led to the adjournment of the Lower House as well. Both houses stand adjourned till 2 pm.

The diminishing shares of the Adani Group were triggered after the recent grave accusations by the Hindenburg Research group -- a shortselling corporation firm based in New York. Significantly, after the report snowballed into great losses for the Adani group, the billions-worth of business announced this morning that it is withdrawing the Rs 20,000 crore FPO, which was offered and fully subscribed. Issuing a statement, the group clarified that it stands by its investors.

AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh also took to Twitter to inform about the adjournment. "Both Houses of Parliament adjourned today till 2pm because Govt did not agree to combined Opposition demand for an investigation into forced investments by LIC, SBI and other public institutions that have lost huge value in recent days endangering savings of crores of Indians," Ramesh tweeted.

Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav told reporters that people are panicking as their money has been invested in public sector banks and institutions which have lended to Adani. "People thronging public sector banks are being asked to go back... people thought their money is safe in public sector banks and institutions," he said.

Keshav Rao of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) said nine parties had given adjournment notices in Rajya Sabha, but the chairman said the notices were not in order. There is no proforma as far adjournment notices are concerned, he noted. "In the absence of a proforma, you cannot teach us. What is a bigger or more serious issue than this? This is a matter of socialisation of losses," he said.

TMC's Shantanu Sen said the opposition's demand for a discussion on the matter under Rule 267 is "rational" and should be allowed. Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha rulebook allows for suspension of day's business to debate the issue suggested by a Member. CPM leader Elamaram Kareem alleged that industrialist Gautam Adani and his company have looted the country.

"LIC and SBI money is on the line under government patronage. This is a major scandal and a burning issue for the common people and warrants an investigation," he said. AAP MP Sanjay Singh asked, "Why is the government silent on this mega scandal? Adani is the kingpin on whose money the BJP works." Shiv Sena's (Thackeray) Priyanka Chaturvedi and DMK leader Kanimozhi were also present at the opposition meeting.