Pegasus issue rocks Parliament: Key points

NEW DELHI: The Pegasus issue was back to rock Parliament as the Houses convened in the morning. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had to be adjourned as opposition MPs raised slogans.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm. However in the Rajya Sabha, leaders of all parties met House chairman Naidu and agreed for a discussion on Covid situation once the House reconnvened at 1 pm.
Here are the highlights from the day's proceedings in Parliament
Govt to reply from 5 pm on Covid in Rajya Sabha
All the leaders met Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday demanding a discussion on Covid-19. Following this, Naidu gave his consent to discuss the matter. "All leaders met with the chairman as they wanted to have a discussion on Covid. Rajya Sabha Chairman has given his consent," Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh said. It was agreed in the meeting that Covid aspects will be discussed for four hours from 1 pm on Tuesday while the Minister of Health and Family Welfare to reply on the matter at 5 pm, said sources. Following morning disruptions in the Rajya Sabha, the House resumes normal functioning after 1 pm.
Pegasus row: Congress demands probe by Joint Parliamentary Committee
The Congress stepped up its attack on the government over the Pegasus snooping controversy and demanded a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.
The opposition party along with other parties also stalled proceedings of both houses of Parliament while raising the issue. Opposition members raised uproar in both houses and demanded a thorough probe into the charges of snooping on journalists, politicians, ministers, judges and others using Israeli Pegasus spyware.
Leaders of various political parties also met before the start of proceedings in both houses of Parliament to decide their strategy on the issue. Several of them had also given adjournment notices in both houses demanding a discussion on the issue.
Adjournment in Rajya Sabha
Earlier, Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned twice during the pre-lunch period after uproar by opposition members over various issues including the Pegasus snooping issue.
The House was first adjourned for a few minutes after it met in the morning and then again soon after it met at 12 PM. Members of the Congress, TMC, left parties rushed to the well as the House reassembled at 12 and started raising slogans. They were also carrying placards with them.
Protesting members ignored the requests made by deputy chairman Harivansh to allow the Question Hour to function. "Please go back to tour seats. Let the Question Hour continue. This is your time," he said urging the members to return to their seats and allow the House to function. After continued uproar and sloganeering by opposition members, he adjourned the House till 1 PM.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm amid Opposition ruckus
Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Tuesday after the Opposition created a ruckus over the Pegasus snooping controversy and other issues.
Opposition members sought to raise various issues and shouted slogans as soon as the House met for the day at 11 am. The proceedings lasted for barely five minutes.
Opposition spreading lies about Covid and shortage of vaccine: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said political rivals are spreading lies about Covid-19 and shortage of vaccine. The Prime Minister Modi asked BJP MPs to counter lies spread by the opposition parties. Modi was speaking at the BJP's Parliamentary Party meeting.
Sources said that the Prime minister asked the party MPs to focus on highlighting the truth and tell the people about government's work in managing Covid pandemic.
It is learnt that the Prime Minister said that Congress only believe in the politics of obstruction and don't want to debate and discuss.
Prime Minister expressed concern over low rate of vaccination of frontline workers and stressed that there is no shortage of vaccine.
Sources said that the Prime Minister told the party MPs that while opposition indulge in politics over pandemic, the BJP continues to serve the humanity.
According to sources, the Prime Minister asked the BJP MPs to tell the truth to the people and explain the work of the government.
(With inputs from agencies)