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Parliament rocked by PNB scam, other issues

The Rs 12,700 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud involving fugitive diamantaires, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, among other issues…

Parliament rocked by PNB scam, other issues

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Ministers pose for a photograph near Parliament House after their victory in the North-East Assembly elections. (Photo: SNS)

The Rs 12,700 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud involving fugitive diamantaires, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, among other issues rocked both the Houses of Parliament on Monday ~ the first day of the second phase of the current Budget Session ~ as the Congress-led Opposition sought to turn up the heat on the Narendra Modi government over the PNB scam.

The slogan-shouting members of the Opposition parties ~ and even the ruling BJP’s ally TDP MPs demanding special status and “justice” for Andhra Pradesh ~ repeatedly stormed the Well of the Lok Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha, forcing their multiple adjournments.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day immediately after noon in the midst of unrelenting protests by the Congress-led Opposition members over the State-run PNB scam, dubbed the country’s biggest bank fraud, and the TDP MPs’ demands for a special package for Andhra Pradesh as promised by the Centre during the state’s bifurcation four years ago.

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As the two Houses met following the recess period of the Budget Session, both witnessed uproarious scenes and repeated disruptions that led to their premature adjournments for the day.

The Lok Sabha witnessed ruckus as members from the Congress, Trinamul, TDP, TRS and AIADMK trooped into the Well over their various issues. Their protests disrupted the Question Hour and forced Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to adjourn the House till 12 noon.

As the House reassembled, the Congress members trooped into the Well with placards demanding a reply from PM Modi on Nirav Modi’s whereabouts. The Trinamul members

were also raising this issue. The TDP MPs pressed for special package for Andhra Pradesh while the TRS members demanded increase in reservation quota in Telangana.

The Speaker thereafter adjourned the House for the day.

The Rajya Sabha witnessed similar protests and disruptions over the PNB scam and other issues, forcing Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to first adjourn the proceedings for a brief while and then subsequently till 1400 hours.

The members from the TMC, Congress, AIADMK, DMK, and TDP repeatedly trooped into the Well of the Upper House, raising slogans on their respective issues.

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