RS adjourned till 1400 hrs over nuclear issue

New Delhi, Sep 6 (UNI) The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 1400 hrs, the second time in an hour, on the Indo-US nuclear deal as the opposition parties continued their protests, demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to examine the implications of the 123 agreement.

As soon as the House assembled at 1200 hrs after the first adjournment, Deputy Chairman Rahman Khan asked for papers to be laid on the table. Seven papers were laid without any disturbance and the first five minutes passed off peacefully.

After the papers were laid, the Deputy Chairman called for taking up the Zero Hour and a short-duration discussion. However, BJP leaders, led by Sushma Swaraj and S S Ahluwalia, were on their feet protesting against Leader of the Opposition Jaswant Singh not being allowed to speak.

The BJP leaders said the House was about to be adjourned and the Leader of Opposition had not even been allowed to speak.

Mr Rahman Khan repeatedly appealed to the BJP members to maintain order. However, the members trooped into the well of the House, shouting slogans and demanding constitution of a JPC to examine the Indo-US nuclear agreement.

The agitated members shouted slogans ''call the JPC, save the country.'' The protests and slogan-shouting continued for seven minutes after which the Deputy Chairman adjourned the House till 1400 hrs.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who was present in the House, gave a brief reply to the short-duration discussion. However, nothing could be heard in the din.

UNI