The Hindu : National : Opposition stalls proceedings

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Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
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Opposition stalls proceedings

Vinay Kumar

NEW DELHI: The Opposition stalled the proceedings in Parliament for the second day on Friday over the new sugarcane pricing policy.

Opposition members raised slogans in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, highlighting the plight of sugarcane farmers. Both Houses were drowned in the din as noisy protests continued till the presiding officers called for adjournments.

The government has convened an all-party meeting on Monday in an attempt to find a solution.

“Withdraw the black order,” “Take back anti-farmers’ ordinance,” shouted members of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Samajwadi Party. They stormed into the well of both Houses, which were adjourned within minutes of assembling in the morning. The Rajya Sabha was forced to call it a day after two adjournments, while the Lok Sabha did so after one adjournment.

Opposition members were protesting against the Sugar Control (Amendment) Order, which fixes a uniform, Central, Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane growers. Amidst noisy scenes, Speaker Meira Kumar and Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari ordered the tabling of listed papers, including the statement of Petroleum Minister Murli Deora in the Lok Sabha on the recent fire in the Indian Oil depot in Jaipur.

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