Andalib Akhter / NEW DELHI
The issue of Pegasus snooping, farm laws, price hike and other issue continued to hamper proceeding of both houses of Parliament today. Forceful protest by the opposition over these issues led to the adjournment of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
In the Lok Sabha, when the House met after the fourth adjournment at 3.30 PM, the Coconut Development Board (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was passed amid ruckus. As the opposition members including Congress, TMC and DMK continued with their protest, the House was adjourned for the day. Earlier, amid din, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Bill 2021 was passed. In the pre-lunch session the presiding officer rejected the adjournment motions by the opposition. Following this, opposition members including Congress, TMC, DMK and Left again came into the well raising slogans. In the morning, when the House assembled for the day, the members from Congress, TMC, DMK and others trooped in the well. Amid noisy scenes, Speaker Om Birla tried to run the Question Hour but in vain.
The Rajya Sabha also witnessed similar scenes. When the House met after second adjournment at 2.56 PM, it passed the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2021 amid uproar by the opposition parties. Earlier, the Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill 2021 and The Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Amendment Bill 2021 were also passed, amid din after a brief discussion. During the passage of the Bill, opposition continued their protest. Deputy Chairman Harivansh repeatedly urged them to allow the House to function and also warned of action.
When the House assembled for the day, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said the government has agreed for discussion on farmers’ agitation and price rise. He, however, rejected the adjournment notices given by Congress, Left, TMC and others over Pegasus snooping and other issues. This prompted the opposition members to come into the well raising slogans.
Mr. Naidu asked the agitating members to go back to their seats. As the members continued their protest, the Chairman warned them of action for their unruly behavior and adjourned the House till 2 PM. Later, Six TMC members were asked to withdraw from the House for the day.