Rajya Sabha adjourned till mid-day

New Delhi, Feb 23 (ANI): The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) forced the Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari to adjourn proceedings in the House as they targeted the Centre over its failure to check the price rise.

The entire opposition was on its feet seeking a discussion on the issue under a new rule which entails voting soon after a new member Anil Kumar Sahani from the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) took oath.

Ansari requested members to resume their seats, while allowing Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley to make his point.

Jaitley said his party had given two notices - one for suspension of Question Hour to take up issue of rise in food prices and the second on a discussion under Rules 167 and 168, a demand rejected by the treasury benches.

"This government has completely failed to check rising prices," said Jaitley adding prices have risen since discussion on the issue in the previous winter session of Parliament.

(CPM) leader Sitaram Yechury said the opposition was "very agitated" on the issue and discussion should be held under substantial motion.

Ansari said there was consensus on discussion on the issue but not on procedure. A short duration discussion on the issue is listed later in the day, he pointed out.

But this did not satisfy the Opposition members who were up on their feet seeking discussion under Rule 167 and 168.

Before adjourning the House till noon, Ansari said, "I am afraid we can't conduct business like this." (ANI)