Rajya Sabha witnesses repeated disruptions

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned twice in the pre-lunch period on Friday amid protests by the Opposition on price rise and other issues.

When the House reassembled at 12 after a brief adjournment, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh conducted the Question Hour amid protest by opposition parties for almost an hour.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Kailash Choudhary, Minister for Communication Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel and Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Piyush Goyal replied to the questions amid protests by opposition members, who had trooped inside the well.

The Deputy Chairman urged the protesting members to return to their respective seats. Goyal said the government is ready for discussion on the issue. However, the opposition is not ready for this and is obstructing the House. The minister, who was replying to questions related to wheat purchase, said the entire world is discussing food security and India is the only country which has balance.

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"Even in such conditions, our opposition is not ready for discussion. The majority of us want a discussion. Even the government wants discussion on this," said Goyal. Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge sought a discussion under Rule 267 for suspension of business to discuss the issue of price rise of essential commodities.

However, Singh said the Chairman has already rejected the demand in the morning. After this, the Deputy Chairman adjourned the House till 2:30 pm. Earlier when the House assembled for the day, independent member Kapil Sibal took oath as a member of the Upper House of Parliament.

After laying of the papers, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said he has received notices under Rule 267 from many members including Kharge. “This has been earlier disposed of by the House,” he added. The Chairman said many members have also given notice under Rule 267 to discuss the Agnipath scheme and alleged misuse of organisations.

Opportunities to discuss issues

There are opportunities to discuss these issues through other notices, he stated. After his ruling on the notices under Rule 267, many members from opposition parties including the Congress started protesting and waving placards. Asking members not to bring placards, Naidu said, "I will take a serious view. Don't do it".

The Chairman also rued that a week has been wasted. "You have wasted one weeks' time, precious time of the people and Parliament. This is not the way, particularly when the House is ready for discussion and the government has also expressed willingness," he said.

Both houses of Parliament have failed to conduct any significant business since the Monsoon Session started on July 18. As some protesting members wanted to raise a point of order, Naidu said the House is not in order. "There is no point in raising a point of order when the House is not in order," the Chairman said. Later he adjourned the proceedings till 12 pm as many opposition members were standing at their seats as well as in the aisle.

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