Potests over Rafale\, Cauvery; Both Houses adjourned for day

Potests over Rafale, Cauvery; Both Houses adjourned for day

Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi 

The two Houses of Parliament were Wednesday adjourned without transacting much business as the opposition staged protest on a variety of issues, including Rafale jet deal, and water.

In the Rajya Sabha, for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and Multiple Disabilities (Amendment) Bill was passed amid slogan shouting by opposition members.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day just after noon following protests by opposition members on various issues including the Rafale deal, construction of and water.

Immediately after the House re-convened at noon, Congress, Shiv Sena, and members trooped into the well with placards and started shouting slogans in support of their demands.

Similar scenes were earlier witnessed when Question Hour began after obituary references to former MPs.

members were demanding a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee into the alleged corruption in the Rafale deal while MPs staged protests demanding immediate construction of the in Ayodhya.

Members belonging to the raised slogans demanding justice for farmers living along the Cauvery delta and members demanded a railway zone at Vishkhapatnam.

tried to pacify members but in vain.

As the ruckus continued, the adjourned the House for the day.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice in the pre-lunch period and for the day around 2.15 pm as the two main political parties of -- the and -- staged protests on the issue.

The was first adjourned till noon soon after laying of papers and then again till 2 PM soon after the Question Hour started at 12 pm.

Soon after ministers laid listed papers on the table of the House, AIADMK members trooped into the Well carrying a banner that read 'protect the lives of Cauvery delta farmers'.

members too entered the Well raising issues related to the Cauvery river.

urged them to return to their seats. He said notices have been received from several parties for discussion on issues of urgent importance.

The said though he has not allowed the issues to be raised under Rule 267 (suspension of business to take up a matter), all issues would be taken up for discussion.

As the two parties continued to protest, Naidu said only on Tuesday people in some states have shown their "confidence in democracy" and asked members to respect sentiments of the people.

"I am not going to be dictated in this way (protest)," Naidu said.

With protesting members not relenting, Naidu adjourned the House till noon.

When the House met at 12, AIADMK members trooped into the well and raised protests carrying placards.

"If the House wants to function and discuss issues of public interest, we will do it. If you don't want, why waste time of people....So many issues are there," Naidu told the House.

The protests continued when the House met again at 2.00 PM.

Amid noisy scenes, for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and Multiple Disabilities (Amendment) Bill, 2018 was passed.

The proposed amendments entail fixing the term of the of the with and other Disabilities.

Moving the bill for consideration and passage, Social Justice and Empowerment said a could not be appointed even after several attempts since 2012 as a suitable candidate meeting the stringent selection criteria could not be found.

Gehlot said the amendments will ease the procedure related to appointment of a

"The Chairperson will have a three-year term now and the selection process for his successor will be initiated six months before his tenure ends and completed before he retires," said the minister.

As the protests continued, said: "This Bill is for the disabled and there is a consensus among all parties. I am requesting all parties to pass it".

The Bill was passed in the shortly before the House adjourned for the day.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Wed, December 12 2018. 16:15 IST