Opposition creates ruckus in Rajya Sabha over UPSC row

The Opposition on Monday stepped up attack on the government over the UPSC exam row, serving a privilege notice in the Rajya Sabha and forcing adjournment of the House demanding a definite time-frame to resolve the issue.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Sharad Yadav (Janata Dal-United) accused the government of "going back on its promise" of resolving the issue expeditiously.

Members from Congress, Communist Party of India-Marxist, CPI, JD-U, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party joined hands on the issue.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prakash Javadekar sought to cool the frayed tempers saying the government was making efforts to resolve the issue and would inform the House after finding a solution.

He said the government had replied three times on the issue knowing its sensitivity and feelings of the House.

"Government is sorting out the issue amicably to give justice...The issue was troubling the students for the last three years. We are sorting it out. As soon as there is a solution the House will be informed," Javadekar said.

As members kept pressing for a definite timeline and even asked the Chair to direct the government in this regard, he said, "We are sorting it out...much sooner than they expect."

Opposition members, however, attacked DoPT Minister Jitender Singh over the issue saying that despite his promise to solve it within eight days, the matter is yet to be resolved though 12 days have been passed.

"The government broke the promise it made. It went back on the promise made to students," Yadav, who gave a privilege notice, said.

Kurien said the notice is under consideration with Chairman Hamid Ansari who will take a decision on it.

Supporting him, Naresh Agarwal (Samajwadi Party) said the government seems to have slipped into coma and ministers do not reply when the prime minister is not around. "We have never seen such a helpless government," he said.

Image: UPSC aspirants protest in New Delhi