Rare bonhomie in Rajya Sabha sinks into pandemonium in minutes

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday witnessed a rare bonhomie among warring MPs to psss the Payment of Gratuity bill but sank into pandemonium within minutes forcing Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to adjourn the House till next day, as he did not want people to see "ugly scenes" in Parliament.

The proceedings of the 14th day began on a perfect note after a meeting government and Opposition MPs had over the Payment of Gratuity Bill and agreeing to pass the legislation without a discussion. A formula was worked out in the meeting to get the Bill passed by allowing one each MP from TDP, which is demanding special category status for Andhra Pradesh, and AIADMK, which wants setting up of Cauvery Management Board, to speak.

After his remarks on World Water Day and customary laying of papers on the table of the House, Naidu said he had received notices to discuss a Supreme Court order that bars instant arrest in SC/ST atrocities cases and that he would consider it.

He then called TDP's C M Ramesh and AIADMK's V Maitreyan to speak on their issues before calling Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar to introduce the Bill, which amends the existing Act to enhance the maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks and remove the ceiling of gratuity available to employees. The House passed the Bill through a voice vote as Opposition MPs did not move any amendments.

However, as soon as the Bill was passed, TDP and AIADMK MPs rushed to the Well. These protests angered the Congress as its MPs from Andhra Pradesh were not allowed to speak on the issue and they too rushed to the Well.

As the House submerged in sloganeering, BJD and Samajwadi Party MPs demanded that the House be allowed to run and accused the ruling BJP of not doing anything to resolve the issue. While Naidu asked protesting MPs to return to their seats, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel accused the Opposition of not allowing the House to function.

"People are asking why I was adjourning the House. There were media reports that the Chairman was adjourning the House within minutes. I have been adjourning (the house) because I don't want these ugly scenes to be seen by the people," Naidu said as he adjourned the House till Friday morning.