Opposition forces both houses to adjourn over price rise

Both houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day this morning as the opposition was adamant in demanding a discussion on the price rise of food items under a substantive motion, which entails voting.

Food inflation is near 18 per cent as prices of essential commodities like sugar, pulses, rice and vegetables have gone through the roof in the recent months.

It was trouble from start in both houses, as the Lok Sabha saw opposition members demanding admission of an adjournment motion, while in the Rajya Sabha they wanted a debate under Rules 167 and 168, which stipulate voting. The government is in a minority in the upper house.

In the Lok Sabha, the entire opposition demanded an adjournment to discuss the issue. New leader of the opposition Sushma Swaraj pointed out that the impact of discussions under different rules differed.

''An adjournment is necessary here because the matter had been discussed under Rule 193 earlier, but unfortunately the government has failed to take any concrete measures to check inflation,'' she said.

In the Rajya Sabha too the opposition was on its feet as soon as the house assembled and demanded that price rise should be debated under rules which require voting.