Staff Reporter / NEW DELHI
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has termed the ‘unruly behaviour’ of opposition members against the Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha Harivansh as shameful, irresponsible and in utter disregard to the probity and propriety of Parliamentary democracy.
Briefing media here today, Mr Prasad alleged that the agenda of the oppostion was not to allow the government to pass the two farm bills in the Rajya Sabha on Sunday.
He said, the government enjoys clear majority in the Upper House. Mr. Prasad said, 110 members present in the House were in favour of the bills while only 72 were against.
He said, the Deputy Chairperson appealed 13 times to the opposition members to go back to their seats but they did not pay heed.
Mr Prasad also said, today’s conduct of the suspended members of Rajya Sabha in not withdrawing from the House in spite of a declaration of suspension by the Chairperson is illegal and further aggravates their conduct as far as violating norms of the House is concerned.
Mr Prasad also hit out at the Congress accusing it of adopting double standards on the farmers’ issue. He said, the stand of Congress on farmers’ issue is hypocritical and politically motivated.
In reply to a question, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the bills are not being passed in both the House in a hurried manner.
He said, the Lok Sabha has passed all the 11 bills related to the various ordinances while nine were passed in the Rajya Sabha and two are pending.
He said, no decision has been taken on curtailing the period of monsoon session of Parliament.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal was also present in the press conference.