The proposed resale of the privatised Centaur Hotel in Juhu, Mumbai, rocked the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday as the determined opposition BJP members trooped into the well leading to a brief adjournment of the House.
The issue was raised during the Zero Hour by CPI(M) member Dipankar Mukherjee who said the hotel was going to be resold today and wanted to know what steps had been taken to protect 600 workers being rendered jobless.
This sparked heated exchanges as BJP objected to the member raising the issue when the Chair has not permitted it.
Amidst the din, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachouri said whatever needed to be done, would be done leading to a procedural wrangle as BJP protested against an assurance being given by a minister on an issue which was not allowed to be raised by the Chair.
The NDA government as part of its big ticket divestment programme had privatised the ITDC-owned Centaur Hotel to Tulip Hospitalities which was then opposed by several political parties, including Shiv Sena, for alleged undervaluation of the property.
The hotel is now proposed to be resold by the new owners apparently on a higher value.
The Congress and Left parties have been demanding an inquiry into the divestment which was being opposed by the BJP.
As the BJP members stalled proceedings by rushing into the well, Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat adjourned the House till 1400 hours.
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