Lok Sabha proceedings paralysed for fourth successive day

NEW DELHI: Notices for no-confidence motion could not be taken up in the Lok Sabha today with proceedings paralysed for the fourth successive day as political parties raised a number of issues leading to adjournment of the House for the day.

Amid din, the government ensured passage of the Demands for Grants (General) as also Demands for Grants (Railways) amid pandemonium.

With talk of Parliament being adjourned sine die tomorrow gaining ground, the passage of the Demands for Grants has completed the financial business in the Lok Sabha.

After the Bills were passed by voice vote, Speaker Meira Kumar asked the protesting members to go back to their seats and maintain order in the House so that the notices for no-confidence motion could be taken up.

As per the rules, 50 members have to support a demand for moving a no-confidence motion to be taken up.

"Please go back to your seats. For me to count the 50 people who support this notice for no-confidence, the House should be in order," Kumar said, repeatedly trying to pacify the agitating members raising several issues in the Well.

However, the members continued to protest. The Speaker then adjourned the House till tomorrow.

Earlier, as soon as the House reassembled at noon after an hour-long adjournment, members from various parties rushed to the Well to protest over a host of issues.

JD(U) members carrying placards protested against the "insulting" letter written by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar highlighting the alleged failure of the state government to tackle Naxal problem.

DMK members displayed placards demanding that atrocities against Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan navy should be handled by the government. "150 Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy", the placards said.

TDP members protested against Telangana, while SP members demanded bringing 17 Backward Castes in SC category.

BSP members, displaying newspaper reports, raised the issue of death of around 40 children in relief camps in Muzzafarnagar and came to the Well demanding action.

Seemandhra MPs, including YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy, were on their feet protesting creation of Telangana and demanded a united Andhra Pradesh.

Raghuvansh Prasad Singh (RJD) shouted slogans against "dictatorship" of UPSC and pressed for use of Hindi.

The Speaker announced that she has accepted resignation of K D Deshmukh, Balaghat MP, with effect from today.

Deshmukh (BJP) resigned from the Lok Sabha after winning from Katangi in the recent Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls.