SP members disrupt Rajya Sabha over discrimination against UP

Slogan-shouting SP members trooped into the Well of the House demanding an assurance from the Centre that it would release the share of Uttar Pradesh shortly. Janata Dal-United (JDU) members too trooped into the Well charging the Centre with not implementing the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Bima Yojana (crop insurance scheme) in flood-hit Bihar. 

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien first adjourned the house for 15 minutes and then till noon as uproarious schemes continued. The House was adjourned for two more times soon after it reassembled at noon. Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) gave a notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business to discuss the alleged discrimination against Uttar Pradesh, while Sharad Yadav (JDU) gave a similar notice to raise non-release of funds for Bihar. Soon after listed papers were laid on the table, Yadav said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Chief Secretary have written several letters to the Union government seeking release of the state’s share of funds. 

Listing out schemes under which funds have not been released, he said Rs. 1,425 crore for scholarship for 8 lakh SC/ST and OBC students had not been released, while Rs. 4,742 crore compensation for hailstorm-hit areas was yet to come. Out of Rs. 2,780 crore sanctioned for Uttar Pradesh from the Central Road Fund, only Rs. 219 crore had been released so far, he alleged, adding that not even half of the money allocated under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana has been released, leading to stalling of projects. 

Pramod Tiwari (Congress) raised a case of daring heist in a moving train when Rs. 5 crore out of Rs. 340 crore cash being sent to Reserve Bank of India from Salem in Tamil Naidu was stolen. He asked how the cash transfer was being done without security and alleged complacency of RBI officials in the loot.