New Delhi
[India], August 3 (ANI): On the eleventh day of the Parliament Monsoon session
on Thursday, several MPs from opposition parties gave notices in Rajya Sabha,
seeking a discussion on the Manipur issue at length under Rule 267.
Rule 267 of Rajya Sabha allows for the
suspension of rules on the day's agenda to debate an urgent matter with the
Chairman's approval.
Congress' Rajya Sabha MP Dr
Syed Naseer Hussain, Aam Aadmi Party's Raghav Chadha and RJD's Manoj Jha have
given Suspension of Business notice to discuss the situation in Manipur.
However, the Centre has agreed to hold a
short-duration discussion, on the issue, not exceeding more than two hours,
under Rule 176, which the Opposition's I.N.D.I.A bloc is objecting saying they
want a "full meal discusison" and not just a toast and butter
discussion of one-two hours.
Earlier in the day, Opposition members of the I.N.D.I.A
bloc on Wednesday staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha over their demands for
discussion on Manipur violence under Rule 267 and a statement from Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.
Soon after the House met for the day, Chairman
Jagdeep Dhankhar said that the debate on Manipur violence under Rule 176 will
not be restricted to 2.5 hours.
“There is no time limit for discussion on
Manipur situation under Rule 176,” he said, adding that the parties “will have
full say".
He said 60 notices were submitted under Rule 267
for discussion on Manipur violence but he has already conveyed his decision.
Over the opposition’s demand for the presence of
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the House during the debate on Manipur, the
Chairman said he cannot issue a directive.
“Directive from the chair cannot be issued. I
can’t give that directive. I shall not,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said he
had given notice for discussion under Rule 267 and other opposition MPs also
pressed over their demand.
Dhankhar said he gave the floor to the Leader of
Opposition but the opportunity “was not wholesomely utilised". Congress
and other Opposition parties staged a walkout against the stance of the
government on their demand, which they have been raising since the beginning of
the monsoon session of Parliament on July 20.
Congress and 25 other opposition parties have
joined hands to form I.N.D.I.A bloc. (ANI)
