Rajya Sabha adjourned amid opposition protest over Pegasus, farm laws

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 2

The proceedings in Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 2 pm amid ruckus created by opposition members, including Congress and TMC, demanding a discussion on the use of Israeli-made, military-grade Pegasus spyware, and farmers’ agitation against farm reform laws.

The House was first adjourned till noon by Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu after he read out a statement commending and complimenting ace badminton player PV Sindhu for winning a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics and laying the listed official papers on the table.

While Congress MPs sought a discussion on the farm agitation, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Left parties sought a debate on the Pegasus issue.

When the House re-assembled at noon, the scene was no different, though Deputy Chairman Harivansh tried to run the House by taking up the questions amid the din. The House could take up a couple of questions relating to the electric vehicle and Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh.

However, when Opposition members did not heed to his repeated requests to go back to their seats and allow the House to function smoothly, the Deputy Chairman adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm.

After the House reassembled post-lunch at 2 pm, Deputy Chairman Harivansh, who was in the chair, informed that the government has moved two Bills for consideration.

The Minister of Tribal Affairs introduced the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in Rajya Sabha amid the Opposition protest.

Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal moved the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021 for consideration and passing.

The Bill aims to bring uniformity in the application of the law relating to inland waterways and navigation within the country.

The Inland Vessels Bill, 2021, was passed by voice vote amidst the protest and sloganeering by the Opposition after a short reply from the minister.

The Lok Sabha has already passed the Bill on July 29, 2021.

During the debate on the Bill, certain Opposition members, who were in the Well of the House, tore papers and flung those in the air.

Immediately after the passage of the Bill, the Deputy Chairman adjourned the House for an hour till 3:36 pm.

After the House reassembled at 3.36 pm, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned after five minutes amid continuous protests by Opposition parties over the Pegasus snooping controversy, farm laws and price rise.

Earlier, Naidu had said that he was willing to consider a discussion on farmers’ problems provided members did not disturb proceedings and cooperated, which the Opposition MPs did not heed to.

Before adjourning the proceedings, Naidu said Ramgopal Yadav of Samajwadi Party, Sanjay Singh (AAP), Mallikarjun Kharge, Partap Singh Bajwa and KC Venugopal (all Congress), Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (TMC), CPI(M)’s Elamaram Kareem and V Sivadasan and Binoy Viswam of the CPI had given notices under rule 267 seeking suspension of business to take up discussion on issues they wanted to raise. —with PTI