Stalemate continues in RS over conversion row, black money for sixth day

Dec 22 The Rajya Sabha could not transact any legislative business for the sixth day, today as the deadlock between government and opposition on the issues of religious conversion and black money continued. The House witnessed repeated adjournments since it met for the day. The opposition members reiterated their demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement on conversion issue. Earlier, raising the issues Sharad Yadav of the JD(U) said the government has failed to fulfill its promises including bringing back the black money stashed abroad and providing employment to millions of unemployed youth. Mr Yadav also charged the government with encouraging religious conversions in the name of Ghar Wapsi, which he said was not in its agenda. He was supported by Sitaram Yechuri of the CPIM, Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and Derek O’ Brien of the Trinamool Congress. Responding to the allegations, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley said that the discussion on the issue has already been taken up and the government is ready to discuss any other issue if the opposition wants. Anand Sharma of the Congress said the opposition is not running away from the discussion but it is the Prime Minister who is shying away. Opposition members trooped into the well, displaying placards and raising slogans to bring back the black money. When the House reassembled after lunch, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu appealed to the opposition to let the Bill giving protection to unauthorized construction in Delhi get through otherwise the premises of those living in such colonies, will be sealed. Later, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi made a similar appeal which went unheeded. Deputy Chairman, P.J. Kurien asked the response of the opposition on the appeal but the opposition did not budge and the House was adjourned for the day.