The proceedings in the Lok Sabha today marred on the third consecutive day of the start of discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address to the joint sitting of the Parliament. Opposition parties including Congress, DMK, TMC and others raised slogans against the government over the US-India trade deal and border issues with China. The Lok Sabha witnessed three adjournments before being finally adjourned for the day.
When the House assembled at 5 PM after the third adjournment, opposition parties including Congress, TMC and others trooped into the well raising slogans against the government. The Presiding Officer urged the protesting members to allow the House to function, but in vain. Meanwhile, the House resumed discussion on the motion of thanks on the President’s address. The Presiding Officer called PP Chaudhary to speak on the motion of thanks, but he could not complete his speech due to the opposition’s uproar. Amidst the pandemonium, the Chair adjourned the House for the day to meet again at 11 AM tomorrow.
Earlier, when the House assembled at 2 PM after the second adjournment, GM Balayogi of TDP supported the motion of thanks saying the President’s address presents a confident national roadmap rooted in reforms, inclusions and long term competitiveness. He said, the President’s address highlights the creation of 25 lakh jobs in the electronics manufacturing sector and the engagement of more than one crore Indians across the IT services and global capability centres. Participating in the discussion, Nishikant Dubey of BJP supported the motion of thanks and raised the issue of corruption during the Congress rule. When he made reference about the books related to former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, the Presiding Officer asked Mr Dubey to speak only on motion of thanks as the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has given ruling in the matter. Amidst Opposition uproar, the Chair adjourned the House till 5 PM.
When the House assembled after the first adjournment at 12 noon, the opposition members again started sloganeering over the various issues and trooped into the well. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed concern over the behaviour of the protesting members and urged them to maintain the decorum of the House. He said, such behaviour will weaken the democracy and trust of the people. Meanwhile, Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal made a statement on India-US trade deal. He said, India has been able to successfully safeguard its interests in sensitive sectors particularly agriculture and dairy. Despite, Mr. Birla’s repeated appeal, the opposition members continued with their sloganeering following which the House was adjourned till 2 PM.
Earlier, when the House assembled for the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla took up Question Hour in which Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public distribution Nimuben Bambhaniya tried to reply to a question on Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, but she could not complete her reply following opposition uproar. Mr. Birla expressed concern over the conduct of the opposition members and appealed to allow the House to function. He urged members to maintain dignity and decorum in the House and allow other members to speak during Question Hour. The opposition members continued with their protest leading to the adjournment of the House till 12 noon.
