(rptg, inserting dopped words in para three)

New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) No business was conducted in the Rajya Sabha for more than two hours today as the House was adjourned thrice due to kerosene-like smell.

Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat had to adjourn the proceedings thrice before lunch since the kerosene-like smell in the house remained unchecked.

The smell, which was suspected to be coming from the AC plant, was so bad that members found it difficult to sit in the House and discharge their duties.

It all started when the house took a question on the demands of Anganwadi workers. As the members complained of offensive kerosone like smell, the Chairman and Minister of State for Human Resources Development Renuka Chaudhary sought to downplay the event.

But when the members complained of burning sensation in their eyes, the Chair adjourned the House for about ten minutes to enable the watch and ward staff to conduct checks.

When the house reassembled after a ten-minute break, the Chairman again adjourned the house till 1230 hours.

But the smell forced the Chairman to once again adjourn the house till 1400 hrs after papers were laid on the table.

UNI PC VA DB1302