Logjam continued in Parliament today as the government and the opposition are adamant on their stands over Pegasus snooping, farm laws and other issues. After facing repeated adjournments, both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have been adjourned for the day. In the Lok Sabha, when the House met, after fourth adjournment at 5 PM, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury tried to raise Pegasus snooping issue demanding discussion over it. The opposition parties including the Congress, TMC and DMK again trooped into the well and continued with their sloganeering. As ruckus prevailed, the House was adjourned for the day.
Earlier, TMC MP Saugata Roy tried to raise the issue of sexual assault and killing of a Dalit girl in Delhi but the Presiding Officer did not allow. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also tried to raise the issue. Responding to it, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal said that the government is concerned about women’s issues. Amid din the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was introduced in the House.
In the morning, when the House met for the day, Opposition parties including the Congress, TMC, DMK and the others continued with their sloganeering and created a deadlock during the Question Hour. Repeated requests by Speaker Om Birla went unheard.
In the Rajya Sabha, when the House met after fourth adjournment at 3.40 PM, the Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021 was passed amid din after a brief discussion. As members from TMC, Congress, DMK, Left, Aam Aadmi Party, Shiv Sena and others continued with their protest, the House was adjourned for the day.
Earlier, when the House took up the Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021 for consideration and passage, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the government wants to pass such an important legislation without proper discussion.
He said this Bill is to denationalize the defence manufacturing units in the country. Mr. Kharge demanded to send the bill to a Select Committee. He also alleged that the government is not taking efforts to break the logjam in the House. The Congress leader asserted that the opposition is ready for discussion in the House and asked the government to start the discussion on Pegasus snooping issue immediately.
The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Bill, 2021 were also passed amid din after a brief discussion.
In the morning, the Deputy Chairman said that yesterday a very unfortunate incident happened in which a suspended MP was trying to enter the House which was prevented by a lady security officer. He said the Security official was hit and she has lodged a complaint and the matter was under consideration of the Chairman. He described the incident as deplorable. On this, TMC MP, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said his party MP was coming to the House after adjournment to take her belongings inside the House.
Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge also echoed the same view. Later, members from TMC, Congress, DMK and others created uproar. Amid noisy scenes, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal said the security officer was stopping the MP because of sanitization work inside the House.
He said that such an incident breaks the morale of security personnel. Responding to it, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi criticised the opposition saying the government has no objection over protest but violence cannot be justified. He condemned the incident and accused the opposition of trying to hijack the House. Amid noisy scenes, Deputy Chairman Harivansh tried to run the Question Hour but in vain.
