Centaur hotel disinvestment rocks RS

Controversial disinvestment of Mumbai's Centaur hotel rocked Rajya Sabha Tuesday as Shiv Sena member Sanjay Nirupam alleged harassment of its employees leading to heart attacks and strokes to five of them.

Left parties and RJD members, who joined Nirupam in demanding a statement from Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie, walked out in protest when Deputy Chairpeson Najma Heptulla said rules did not permit to take up in the same session an issue that has already been discussed.

The issue came up during Zero Hour when Nirupam alleged that four of five of the employees who suffered strokes and heart attacks have since died and that Government should carry out VRS in such divested companies with a human face. The matter should be inquired as VRS was being forcefully thrusted upon employees.

This sparked an uproar with Opposition members vociferously demanding a statement from the minister who was present in the House.

The deputy chairperson disallowed the members from raising the issue saying only Nirupam has been permitted to make a submission in the House by Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and others could not speak on it as rules did not permit.

After a few minutes of heated exchanges, Left and RJD members walked out.