Congress protests over Rajya Sabha select panel reports

New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) The report of the Select Committee on the coal and mines and mineral bills was tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, amid protests from opposition over the panel not getting enough time.

The protests also led to a brief adjournment of the house.

As the reports were tabled in the upper house, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said: "We want to register our protest against the manner in which mines and coal bills are being rushed for passing."

"The bill was not referred to the Standing Committee, after being referred to the Select Committee. My party said we wanted report on first week of next session. Concerns of members of our party have not been taken on board, other stakeholders have also not been taken on board," he said.

This was followed by noisy protests from Congress members who trooped near the chairman's podium, raising slogans.

Amid the ruckus, the house was adjourned for ten minutes.