Demand in Lok Sabha for rollback of fuel price hike

The issue of rise in fuel prices reverberated in the Lok Sabha with several members demanding an immediate rollback and blaming "poor economic policies" of the UPA government for the frequent hikes. Several members had moved adjournment motions to raise the issue, but Speaker Meira Kumar said she has not accepted the demand. She said they would be allowed to raise the issue during Zero Hour. BJP members raised the issue of missing coal files. Members from the Left rushed to the Well holding placards against fuel price hike. Congress members were seen displaying placards seeking resignation of Gujarat CM Modi following the resignation of IPS officer D G Vanzara accusing the state of not defending cops accused of fake encounters.

The issue of disputed Cauvery waters led to a war of words between members from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in the LS. M Thambidurai (AIADMK) raised the issue of reported construction of projects on Cauvery river by Karnataka. He said since there was dispute between TN and Karnataka on the issue, there should be no fresh project without consulting the lower riparian state. Terming the reported construction as a violation of the federal structure, he demanded an immediate intervention by the Centre. T R Baalu (DMK) also wanted to raise the issue, but Speaker Meira Kumar reminded him that he had given notice on Katchatheevu.

Amid strong opposition demand for continuation of reservation policy in institutes like AIIMS, government assured Lok Sabha that it would issue orders to this effect if the Supreme Court gave unfavourable verdict on a review petition filed by it. "I assure the House that our current policy is valid today and it will remain valid tomorrow also. If the apex court gives an unfavourable verdict, we will consult the Attorney General and issue a GO (government order) to ensure that the policy remains in place in future too," Law Minister Kapil Sibal said after opposition members raised the issue. After the Supreme Court turned down the reservation policy for SCs/STs and OBCs in AIIMS, the government had filed a review petition on August 14 and an urgency application before the apex court three days later, he said.