Rajasthan assembly adjourned amid dharna by Opposition

Jaipur, Mar 13 (UNI) The Rajasthan Assembly was today adjourned for half-an-hour amid dharna by Opposition members over farmers issue and counter slogan shouting by Treasury Benches.

The issue of damages to commercial crops of Cummin and Isabgol due to unseasonsal rains in different parts of the state was raised by Amara Ram Dhodh (CPI-M) and Richhapal Mirdha (Congress), during the Zero Hour. Arun Deora of ruling BJP also joined in and expressed concern over the loss to farmers.

Leader of the Opposition Hemaram Chaudhary urged the government to make a statement over damages to farmers.

However, Deputy Speaker Ram Narain Vishnoi disallowed the opposition permission to raise the issue and asked them to allow scheduled zero hour business as they would get an opportunity to raise the issue at a later stage.

Members from Treasury Benches including several ministers also opposed the opposition's move and tried to deflect the issue.

Ms Surya Kanta Vyas (BJP) said that the Congress members were pretending to be farmers' well wishers but the fact was the party was not at all worried about the people's problems.

She said that prices of essential commoditites had risen but the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre did not bother to take necessary measures.

Several BJP members including Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Singh Rathore alleged that the Centre tried to cheat farmers on the loan waiver issue.

This further agitated the Congress members who gathered in the well of the house and sat on a dharna.

This prompted Treasury Benches to raise anti-Congress slogans and the Opposition also countered them.

Amid pandemonium the Deputy Speaker adjourned the house for half an-hour.

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