Published | Deccan Herald
The Congress on Friday drew ire from the Treasury benches in the Lok Sabha after the Opposition party leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that “markets are on fire” since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on novel coronavirus spread in the country.
Raising the issue soon after the Question Hour, Chowdhury said that the prices of the commodities, including food items have gone up and essential items are fast disappearing from market shelves.
The Congress leader, however, said that his party was with the Prime Minister in efforts to combat the COVID-19.
“Masks are not available. Hoarders are stocking up things,” he said, drawing protest from the Treasury benches.
Rejecting the Congress leader’s claim, Parliamentary Affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said there was no shortage of essential commodities and food items in the markets, and suggested the members to refrain from politicising the issue and triggering panic.
“Everything is available. Don’t press panic button,” he said.
The suggestions made by the Prime Minister in his address should be honoured in the interest of the nation, he added.
The Congress members staged a walkout in protest against the government’s stand.
Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla later noted that the Parliament was with the government’s efforts to check the spread of novel coronavirus, and the Prime Minister’s suggestions and appeal to the citizen.
All parties have extended their support, he added.