NEW DELHI
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday declined the opposition’s demand for a discussion on the issue of fuel price hike after suspending the Question Hour, saying he would give them “enough time and opportunities” to raise the matter during the Zero Hour.
As soon as the House assembled at 11 am after the weekend break, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Trinamool Congress’ Sudip Bandyopadhyay and DMK’s T R Baalu demanded that the House should discuss the fuel price hike, which the government effected for the sixth time in a week.
The opposition parties, including the Left, insisted that they should be allowed to discuss the issue and came to the well of the House.
The opposition members shouted slogans against the Modi government demanding withdrawal of the hike in fuel prices.
However, the Speaker said the first hour, which is reserved as Question Hour, should be allowed to function without interruption and he would allow them to raise the issue during the Zero Hour, which begins at 12 noon.
“I will give you enough time and opportunities to raise the issue after the Question Hour. Question Hour is very important. So, let the Question Hour continue,” he said.
As the opposition members pressed for their demand, Birla said he listens to all opposition members and always gives them enough opportunities to raise their issues.
“I will not allow forced adjournment of the House. The Question Hour is vital to raise people’s issues. Please sit down. I will give you the opportunities during Zero Hour. I give opportunities to you all. I always give opportunities to Adhir ji, Sudip ji and Baalu ji,” he said.
Following the Speaker’s appeal, the opposition members returned to their seats. Petrol price on Monday was hiked by 30 paise a litre and diesel by 35 paise, taking the total increase in rates in the last one week to Rs 4-4.10 per litre.
