Opposition in the Lok Sabha has mounted a scathing attack on the government on skyrocketing prices asking it to “wake up from its deep slumber” and urgently provide relief to the common people instead of being “insensitive” to them.

Initiating a debate on a motion moved by her on the issue of inflation, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj said the hike in prices of petroleum products, particularly kerosene and LPG, had immensely burdened the people who were already reeling under the spiralling costs of foodgrains and other essentials.

“The government should wake up from deep slumber and take urgent effective steps to provide relief to the common man suffering due to backbreaking prices,” Swaraj said.

The motion, which read, “That this House do consider the inflationary pressure on the economy and its adverse impact on the common man” — was taken up a day after government and opposition reached compromise on the issue which paralysed Parliament throughout last week.

The opposition was pushing for a discussion on price rise under a rule that entails voting but the government stoutly opposed it, leading to a stand-off last week.

During the debate which will have no voting, Swaraj said the opposition had earlier pressed for Adjournment Motion or discussion under Rule 184 which entails voting but there was “no consensus” and hence they had to move the motion on “inflationary pressure”, which is actually price rise.

RS adjourns till 2 PM over alleged diversion of SC/ST funds

Earlier, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 1400 hours following Opposition uproar over alleged diversion of SC/ST funds by the Delhi government for Commonwealth Games.

The upper house was adjourned twice during the Question Hour after opposition parties led by BSP disrupted proceedings over alleged diversion of funds.

Immediately after obituary reference, BSP members were up on their feet to raise the issue of alleged diversion of funds as was revealed in reply to an RTI query.

BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra said he has given a notice for suspension of Question Hour to discuss the issue.

He was supported by Left parties and members of BJP who too wanted a discussion.

A recent query by a Right to Information activist showed that the Delhi government diverted Rs 744 crore from Special Component Plan for SC/ST to Games projects, thereby flouting Planning Commission guidelines.

Chairman Hamid Ansari asked members not to disrupt the Question Hour and take up the issue through a call attention notice.

“This is incorrect,” Ansari said before adjourning the House for 10 minutes.

When the House reassembled, similar scenes were witnessed.

‘Please give a call attention notice… please don’t disrupt proceedings,” Ansari said even as members continued to raise the issue.

“The Chair appreciates the concern you want to raise,” he said asking opposition members to give notice for a structured debate to which the government can reply. “Please give a call attention notice and it will be admitted.”

The unrelenting opposition members wanted the Chairman to fix a time for the debate.

Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley said it was a very important issue and the government should take instructions from the Chair on replying to the concerns. “Please fix discussion on the issue immediately,” he demanded.

Ansari, however, said he can fix time only after discussion with the business advisory committee of the House. “This is Question Hour. I am bound by it. I cannot waive it,” he said, even as repeated pleas were made for suspension of Question Hour.

Sitaram Yechuri (CPI-M) said the Left parties want discussion on the issue this week itself.

 Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prithviraj Chavan said the opposition parties should give a calling attention notice and the government will reply.

This however did not pacify the agitated members who continued raising the issue, forcing Ansari to adjourn the House till 1200 noon.