The stalemate over the ways to restore normalcy in Lok Sabha continued as Opposition on Wednesday again forced adjournments over price rise and GST rate, demanding a debate on the issues and revoking suspension of four of its members while the government said it was ready for discussion on price rise right away.
During discussion on matters of urgent public importance in the afternoon under Rule 377, TMC MP Saugata Roy urged the Government to immediately withdraw `Agnipath` scheme in the interest of the country, citing the protests by youths and security concerns expressed by experts.
The proceedings in the house resumed in the morning on the familiar pattern that had followed the start of the Monsoon session with opposition moving to the well of the house carrying placards and shouting slogans on the issues like price rise and GST rate and demanding a debate on them. The House was first adjourned soon after it convened at 11 am and later at 12 noon, following the laying of parliamentary papers on the table of the House. When the House assembled for the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla welcomed a parliamentary delegation from Mozambique which was here to witness proceedings. Birla appealed to the members to go back to their seats and cooperate in running the House. The opposition members also demanded revocation of the order suspending four MPs. Congress MPs Manickam Tagore, Ramya Haridas, T N Prathapan and S Jothimani were on Monday suspended for rest of the session for staging protests and carrying placards inside the House. The Speaker tried to run the House despite the protests and allowed Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi to reply to supplementaries related to their respective ministries.
When the protests grew louder, Birla appealed to the opposition members to go back to their seats, saying House rules and regulations were framed by the MPs themselves and they should not violate it.
“Such improper (ashobhaniya) behaviour is not good. You should take part in the debate. This is not good for democracy as well as individually for you. Otherwise, I will have to use the rules framed by you,” he said.
The Speaker said people and the assemblies in country were watching what was happening in this House. Joshi, who is also Parliamentary Affairs Minister, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has returned after recovering from an illness and government was ready for a debate on price rise on Wednesday itself.
"The Opposition does not want to participate in the debate and that is why they are staging protests. Some of the opposition-ruled states did not even reduce taxes on fuel and hence, want to run away from the debate,” Joshi said.
As the opposition members continued the protest, the Speaker adjourned the House till 12 noon after about 20 minutes of proceedings.
Similar scenes were witnessed at noon and BJP member Kirit Solanki, who was in the chair, adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm.
The house resumed proceedings and went on with matters of urgent public importance and anti-doping bill too was introduced in the house for the discussion.