Ugly scenes in Rajya Sabha prevent ministers' statements

New Delhi, Aug 30 (UNI) Efforts of two ministers to make their statements came to nought as ugly scenes marred the proceedings in the Rajya Sabha when the Opposition strongly objected to ministerial interventions including a raging controversy over the delay in conferrence of degrees on AIIMS doctors.

Shipping Minister T R Baalu and Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss were permitted by Deputy Chairman K Rehman Khan to make their statements when the discussions on the flood situation in the country was incomplete, but then there was a spate of protests not just by the BJP but also Samajwadi Party members.

When Mr Baalu continued to read his statement amid protests by Mr S S Ahluwalia and others, the BJP members stormed into the well of the House, prompting Government Chief Whip Narayanaswamy to do the same and uttered some words against the agitating members.

When they demanded that the member withdraw the unparliamentary words, the Chair said the objectionable word was not on official record as whatever was said in the well of the House would not be taken on record. It also found the Opposition's objections to the ministers' statements as 'strange' because to allow them to make their statements amid debates was a routine practice.

He said he was only sorry that the Opposition had made up its mind to question the decision of the Chair and hence putting up resistance.

Mr Ahluwalia said allowing the ministers to 'dump' their statements and walk away would make no sense and the country needed to know what the ministers wanted to say. The members will have to seek clarifications on issues concerning the port men as well as doctors, he said.

When things went out of control, Mr Khan adjourned the proceedings for 15 minutes.

When the House reassembled, Mr Khan refused to run the proceedings and Vice-Chairman Prashanta Mukherjee had to do the job where regrets were expressed for the ''ugly atmosphere'' created in the House by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachauri, Mr Ahluwalia, Mr Sitaram Yechury and Mr Narayanasamy.

Mr Khan resumed the Chair only after a joint appeal by the House.

According to the revised schedule, Dr Ramadoss will make his statement tomorrow and while the date for Mr Baalu's statement will be fixed by the Chair.

UNI