Even though, both Centre and Opposition has been voicing for discussion on demonetisation, the debate could not take place yesterday. (File Photo)

With four days four-day break starting from today, Rajya Sabha MPs from several Opposition parties yesterday did not protest over the demonetisation of high-value currencies of rs 500 and Rs 1,000 to get the House adjourned . They did not turn up, even while many of them were present in the premises of the Parliament, after which deputy chairman P J Kurien had to adjourn Rajya Sabha till December 14 due to lack of quorum. Suprisingly, only 23 lawmakers came to the House yesterday afternoon. The minimum attendance needed to start the proceedings is 25, or 10 percent of the House’s sanctioned strength of 245. Ogf them eighteen of them were from the ruling side and five from the Opposition, which included Congress’s Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, party deputy leader Anand Sharma, and Motilal Vora.

Even though, both Centre and Opposition has been voicing for discussion on demonetisation, the debate could not take place yesterday, which is reserved for legislation introduced by individual members in both Houses, a report in ‘The Indian Express’ has said.Anand Sharma told the Chairat 2:30 PM that there was no quorum, which was countered by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who said that the lack of quorum was because of absence of Opposition MPs absence. Both Congress leaders then reminded the minister that running the House was not Opposition’s responsibility . Some Opposition members were standing just outside the House, but did not come in.

Kurien said he would ring the quorum alarm for the MPs present in Parliament premises. Sharma left the House, apparently to call a few colleagues. But even after the alarm ringing two times, no other member came in. Sharma was seen with another MP in the Central Hall during that time and did not return. After some time, Azad and Vora also walked out of the House, which left Kurien with no option but to adjourn the House.