Opposition uproar over Jairam Ramesh's absence in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha today witnessed uproar for some time when Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh left the House for "personal" reasons, forcing the Chair to admonish opposition members not to make it an issue.

Ramesh, who was the only minister present in the House at that moment, left after uttering some words in the ears of P J Kurien, who was in the Chair.

When T N Seema (CPI-M) was speaking on the 2012-13 Union Budget, some members from BJP, CPI-M and others suddenly rose in their seats and pointed out the absence on any minister in the treasury bench.

They called for abandoning the debate on technical ground as no minister was present.

Kurien then said Ramesh has gone out for "personal" reasons. "Just don't make too much out of a technicality," he told the members.

Ramesh immediately rushed back to the House.