Tamil Nadu crisis not allowed to be heard in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: The political crisis in Tamil Nadu found a mention in Rajya Sabha on Wedensday, but the issue was not allowed to be raised by the Chair.

CPI’s D. Raja raised the issue soon after the House met for the day, saying that a political crisis was looming large over Tamil Nadu. 

As he mentioned that the Maharashtra governor held the additional charge of the state, he was cut short by deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, saying the Tamil people will take care of the situation.

“All Tamilians are capable of taking a decision on it. We have full faith in them,” said Mr Kurien, and disallowed him and anyone else from raising the issue. 

The Chair also took serious note when CPM’s Jharna Das claimed that the Rs 1,000 crore Nirbhaya Fund set up by the UPA government in 2013 has “remained unspent”. 

Mr Kurien then asked the government to examine facts regarding whether the fund, set up after the 2012 Delhi gangrape case, has remained unutilised. “I think it should be examined… How the Fund is not utilised? It is a budgeted amount?” he said.

Union commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government has taken note of the matter. “It is a very important issue.”