Rajya Sabha adjourned twice over Indo-US nuke deal

New Delhi, Aug 31 (UNI) Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice today, first till 1200 Hrs and the second time till 1230 Hrs, on the issue of Indo-US Nuclear deal as opposition members continued to stall the proceedings demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) into the matter.

As soon as the House assembled at 1200 Hrs after the first adjournment, opposition members, led by the BJP, were on their feet demanding a JPC. The BJP members were supported by other opposition parties.

BJP leader Yashwant Sinha was the first to raise the issue as the House re-assembled. He was followed by other BJP members who shouted slogans--'Call JPC, save the country.' The members trooped into the well of the House shouting slogans.

Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan's repeated pleas to the agitating members to go back to their seats and speak from there, were not heeded and the slogan-shouting continued.

The Deputy Chairman said the Home Minister, who was present in the House, wanted to give a statement on the flood situation in the country, had no effect on the agitating members.

Amid the din, some papers were laid on the table of the House.

The Deputy Chairman also announced that there would be no sitting on September 3 and the House would sit till 1800 Hrs on any other day to complete the business as required.

Earlier the House was adjourned till 1200 hrs. As soon as the House assembled for Question Hour, agitated opposition leaders shouted slogans demanding a JPC.

Chairman Hamid Ansari XXX Picking up third para of PAR 5, Nuclear-Indo-US-RS.

UNI