New Delhi : New Delhi: Chaotic scenes were witnessed in Rajya Sabha on Monday with the Opposition parties demsnding a discussion on the issue of Chinese incursions on the borders. Even as Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar rejected nine notices under rule 267 staying that they were not in order , Congress and other Opposition parties kept insisting that there should be suspension of business so that the issue could be taken up for discussion.
However, with the Chaurman refusing to allow the discussion Congress MPs along with those of Left, DMK and other parties staged a walkout. Reacting to the ruckus, Dhankhar said that disruptions of House proceedings were noty sending a good signal adding that he had asked certain MPs to meet him in his chamber over the issue.
Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge argued that the Chairperson has the powers to allow the discussion, but Dhankhar refused ti change his stand. When the House met for the day, the Chairman said he has received 9 notices under rule 267 that called for the suspension of the listed business and taking up a discussion or debate on the matter indicated therein.
Although he did not disclose the contents or the movers of the notices Dhankhar said that he cannot allow any notice notice that is "deficient" or that "miserably fails minimum requirement of the fulfilment of rules."
"It is a painful duty for me that not only the rule is outraged, no attention whatsoever has been laid on the rule. The notices are drawn in a manner as if the rule doesn't exist. I expect the members to follow the procedure indicated in the rule, go through all the two essential elements and then carve out notice," he said. And it is for the same reason that rule no 267 notice was accepted in the entire tenure of his predecessor M Venkaiah Naidu, he added.
"I painfully report to you that loss of more than 100 minutes of disruption on December 13, 15 and 16 has sent not a good signal," he said, adding besides causing loss of crores to the exchequer, the time meant discussions on public issues was also wasted." said Dhankhar.
"This House is a unique platform. We must share the vision, passion, and mission of the framers of the Constitution," he said. "Generating optics of disruption brings a very bad name to us. It generates disillusionment. It sends a signal as if those who have been elected to this august House, to perform the solemn duty to act as House of Elders, the Upper House, conduct themselves in a manner which leaves much to be desired," he added. Dhankhar said that he will allow any notice thst issued in accordance to rules and is in line with the spirit and sense of the rule.
He asked the House to rise to a level expected of it and not engage in the usual rhetoric. As the opposition MPs pressed for their notices, he said, "I have categorically indicated I cannot give attention to any notice that is deficient. I cannot focus on any notice that miserably fails the minimum requirement of the fulfilment of rules. This is not a platform for anyone just to rise and say whatever one feels like. We have to follow the rules. Once you follow the rules, you will get the platform. This is a place for dialogue, deliberation, discussion."
Kharge alleged that China has encroached on Indian land and is building bridges. And this issue was of national importance and hence should be discussed. Leader of the House and Union Minister Piyush Goyal countered him saying Deputy Chairman Harivansh had last week indicated past instances when sensitive issues were not discussed.
He then stated that in 2012, the then UPA government had informed the House that China was in illegal possession of 38,000 square kilometres of Indian land. Opposition parties protested and after a brief while of sloganeering, staged a walkout. (with Agency inputs)
