Parliament Highlights: Rajya Sabha passes Gratuity Bill, both Houses adjourned for the day

Lok Sabha was adjourned within minutes of assembling. Here are the highlights:

india Updated: Mar 22, 2018 13:02 IST

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leaders raise slogans demanding constitution for Cauvery Management Board during the budget session, at Parliament House in New Delhi on Wednesday. (PTI)

The proceedings in Parliament on Thursday began with sloganeering in the Lok Sabha, which was adjourned within minutes of assembly.

The Rajya Sabha passed the Gratuity Bill before erupting into protests and being adjourned for the day.

On Wednesday, Parliament proceedings had been washed out for the 13th consecutive day as members of parties like the AIADMK and TRS continued with their protests.

Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have not transacted any substantial business since the Budget session of Parliament resumed on March 5, barring the passage of the budget by the Lower House without any debate.

Senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said the government had not made any effort to end the impasse in the House.

Here are the highlights:

12. 15pm: Lok Sabha adjourned till 11am till March 23, 2018.

12.10pm: Lok Sabha proceedings resume.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar appeals to MPs through Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to let the House run. Kumar says the government is ready for discussion on all issues, be it no -confidence motion or banking related matters.

11.18am: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11am on March 23, 2018.

11.16am: Ruckus in the Rajya Sabha.

Naidu says, “I have been adjourning (the house) because I don’t want these ugly scenes to be seen by the people.”

11.13am: AIADMK and TDP MPs protest in the well of the House.

11.12am: Payment of Gratuity Amendment Bill, 2018, is passed.

11.11am: TDP’s CM Ramesh raises the issue of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 not being implemented.

11.10am: Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu tells members that this is the fourteenth day of not transacting business. He requests that the Payment of Gratuity Amendment Bill, 2018, be taken up today and, subsequently, other issues can be taken up.

11.02am: Lok Sabha adjourned till noon as loud slogans of ‘We want justice’ are raised as soon as proceedings begin.

10.55am: AIADMK MPs hold protest on Parliament premises over Cauvery issue.

10.45am: Telugu Desam Party MPs hold protest on Parliament premises demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh.