Parliamentary proceedings were disrupted in both Houses on Monday as the Government and Opposition engaged in a heated exchange over the issue of rising prices. The Lok Sabha did not transact any business, while in the Rajya Sabha, the government said the “weak-kneed” policies of the UPA were to blame for the spiralling food inflation.

Countering the Opposition’s attack on the Government over rising commodity prices, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said measures had been taken “so the situation does not worsen”.

Deviating from precedent, the Government accepted the Opposition’s challenge for a debate on the price rise after suspending Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, despite being in minority.

The issue could not be discussed in the Lower House as the Congress and the BJP did not agree on the provisions under which it should be debated forcing the House to be adjourned for the day.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Jaitley said: “Those who failed to act in the last 10 years (the Congress-led UPA Government) are not even ready to give a chance to the new Government.”

He said the Centre was concerned about the price rise and has taken significant measures. Making a comparison, Jaitley said that during the UPA regime, the Government acted only when onion prices crossed ₹100 a kg. “We have started addressing the issue when the prices of onions turned ₹25 a kg. We fixed minimum export price for onions and potatoes. All States were asked to maintain a minimum stockholding of these commodities,” he said.

“There is sufficient supply of potatoes and onions and, therefore, there is no reason for panic,” the Finance Minister added.

Unhappy with Jaitley’s response, the Congress led a walkout of Opposition members, including MPs from the BSP, Trinamool Congress and CPI (M).

Jaitley also justified the Centre’s decision to increase rail passenger and freight charges. He said due to poor management, Indian Railways was running at a loss of ₹30,000 crore in the passenger sector. And that it was losing out to the road sector in freight handling.

The Finance Minister said the Railway Minister had no option but to hike fares.

‘This is UPA-III’ Terming the new Government as UPA-III, the Left wanted the Centre to take a fresh look at the issue of rising prices.

The CPI (M) said the NDA was following the same policies as the UPA. Party leader Sitaram Yechury demanded the Centre ban futures trading in 14 essential commodities, to which Jaitley said the Government would keep the suggestion in mind.

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