New Delhi, July 20: The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were adjourned till 2 pm minutes after they reconvened on third day of the Monsoon Session on Wednesday amid protests by Opposition MPs over price rise and increase in GST rates.
An angry looking Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that the members making a ruckus in the House have been bringing down the dignity of the House.
Proceedings in the #RajyaSabha were adjourned till 2 p.m. after the opposition continued to protest demanding a discussion on the price rise and other issues. pic.twitter.com/uoJMc80mnI
— IANS (@ians_india) July 20, 2022
“People have not sent you to show placards and shout slogans. If you create a ruckus, I will not allow you, if you go to the seat, you will get a chance,” he said amid uproar by Opposition members.
This attitude of the members is not appropriate for the parliamentary tradition, he added.
In the Rajya Sabha, renowned former Olympic track and field athlete PT Usha took oath as a member. Soon after Usha’s oath Opposition MPs began demanding discussion on price rise.
“I have given notice under Rule 267 to discuss price rise. The common man has to bear the burden of the rising prices of essential commodities. We want a discussion on this issue,” Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge said.
Kharge said that the hike in GST of rice, wheat, curd, barley, paneer, hospital rooms and other essential items is an issue of public concern and needs to be raised in debates.
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said that he was ready to allow a discussion amid uproar by Opposition MPs.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the government of being obstinate about not allowing debate on price rise and GST.
“This morning in the Rajya Sabha the Opposition led by the Congress demanded an urgent debate on price rise and senseless GST rates on food items. This was denied. The House was adjourned till 2pm. Modi Sarkar’s obstinacy continues. Business in Parliament is suffering,” he said in a tweet.
Earlier, Opposition MPs staged a protest against GST rate hike in Parliament complex, carrying packets of milk, curd and other commodities on which GST has been hiked.
Union Minister Smriti Irani slammed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over ruckus by the Opposition in LS over various issues.
“He is adamant to bring down the productivity of the Lok Sabha. The gentleman needs to recognise that the Parliament reflects the spirit and expectation of the aspirations people of India,” she told the media.
With UNI Inputs…
