IT News
New Delhi, Dec 2:
The Winter Session of Parliament resumed on Monday after a week-long impasse, but both Houses faced early adjournments amidst Opposition protests over the Adani controversy and the ongoing violence in Manipur. Proceedings are scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday.
Lok Sabha Proceedings
The Lok Sabha convened amid relentless sloganeering by the Opposition, demanding justice on various issues. During the Question Hour, Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary addressed questions about the Centre of Excellence for Skill Development. However, chants of “We want justice” overshadowed the session.
Speaker Om Birla urged the protesting members to allow proceedings to continue, calling for decorum in the House. Despite his appeal, the session was adjourned until noon and then for the entire day as the protests persisted.
Notably, DMK MP TR Baalu moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, seeking discussion on crop damage and property losses in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry due to Cyclone Fengal. Meanwhile, Minister Sarbananda Sonowal managed to introduce the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to bolster coastal trade and enhance national security through the use of Indian-flagged vessels.
Rajya Sabha Proceedings
The Rajya Sabha also saw disruptions within minutes of convening. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar disallowed 20 notices under Rule 267, including eight regarding allegations against the Adani Group. Drawing a comparison to Murphy’s Law, Dhankhar lamented the repeated adjournments, saying, “We find ourselves achieving precisely the antithesis of what our Constitution ordains.”
As the Opposition raised issues such as the Adani controversy, alleged corruption, and violence in Manipur, the Chairman adjourned the House twice, ultimately ending the session for the day.
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva filed an adjournment motion notice under Rule 267, urging the government to address the crisis in Manipur, which has reportedly claimed over 250 lives. Congress MP B. Manickam Tagore also submitted a motion demanding an investigation by Indian agencies into allegations against billionaire Gautam Adani.
External Affairs Minister’s Briefing Delayed
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was expected to brief the House on India’s relations with China following recent developments on the Line of Actual Control. However, this agenda item has been postponed to Tuesday.
Opposition’s Stand
Floor leaders of the INDIA bloc, following a meeting chaired by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, called for Speaker Om Birla’s intervention to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament. They emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing the Adani allegations and the Manipur situation.
