Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) The Lok Sabha was adjourned again till 5.30 p.m. Tuesday over the Mumbai suburban train drivers’ strike as agitating Shiv Sena and Left party members created a ruckus demanding an immediate statement on the issue by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V. Narayanasamy said a statement would be made in the house by 6 p.m.

However, the Shiv Sena and Left members continued creating unruly scenes, forcing Deputy Speaker Karia Munda to adjourn the house.

Earlier, the house was adjourned till 2 p.m. over the issue.

Deputy Leader of the opposition Gopinath Munde said the motormen had given a strike notice Jan 26.

“They also went on hunger strike… now legal action is being taken, this cannot solve the problem,” he said, referring to the promulgation of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against the staff.

Anant Geete of the Shiv Sena demanded that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal appeal to the striking motormen to resume work.

“Discuss the issue and find a solution. Since the railway minister is not present, the parliamentary affairs minister must appeal on behalf of the house for calling off the strike,” said Geete.

“(The trains are) the lifeline of Mumbai but the government is quiet on the issue,” he said.

Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam said the demands of the motormen were genuine and the government should consider them sympathetically. “They are just asking for overtime (allowance),” he said.

Trying to pacify the agitated members, Bansal assured the house that a statement will be made as soon as Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee reaches the house.

He also asked the opposition members supporting the strike to persuade the motormen to call it off.

When the agitated members did not calm down, a frustrated Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the house till 2 p.m.