Pegasus/Farm Laws: Repeated Adjournments in Rajya Sabha; Inland Vessels Bill Passed Without Debate

New Delhi:  Rajya Sabha witnessed multiple adjournments on Monday as Opposition MPs continued their protest over the Pegasus snooping row and other matters, even as it passed the Inland Vessels Bill-2021 amid the din.

Lok Sabha, too, saw Opposition protests on similar issues and passed the General Insurance Bill amid the din.

 When Rajya Sabha reassembled at 3.36 p.m after multiple adjournments, the government moved two legislations -- The Appropriation (No 4) Bill, 2021 and The Appropriation (No 3) Bill, 2021 -- for passage.

Bhubaneswar Kalita, who was in the Chair, asked the protesting Opposition members to go back to their seats and participate in the discussion on the Bills. He informed the members that both the Bills would be discussed together.

"As you all know these are two very important Bills where you can raise financial problems of your states. You also know that these are finance Bills, it can be passed automatically. So it is in your interest to discuss it. So please cooperate," Kalita noted.

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, while moving the Bills, sought cooperation from the House .

As Opposition members continued to raise slogans, Kalita adjourned the proceedings for the day till 11 a.m on Tuesday.

Earlier, when the House reassembled post-lunch at 2 p.m, Deputy Chairman Harivansh informed that the government has moved two Bills for consideration.

The Minister of Tribal Affairs introduced the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in Rajya Sabha amid the Opposition protest.

Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal moved the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021 for consideration and passing.

The Bill aims to bring uniformity in the application of the law relating to inland waterways and navigation within the country.

The Inland Vessels Bill, 2021 was passed by voice vote amidst the protest and sloganeering by the Opposition after a short reply from the minister.

Lok Sabha has already passed the Bill on July 29, 2021.

During the debate on the Bill, certain Opposition members, who were in the well of the House, tore papers and flung those in the air.

While Congress MPs sought a discussion on the farmer agitation, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Left parties sought a debate on the Pegasus snooping issue.

Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, who chaired the proceedings earlier in the day, said he was willing to consider a discussion on farmers' problems provided members do not disturb proceedings and cooperate.  He also appealed to members not to enter the well carrying placards.

But as the Opposition MPs continued to raise the issues, he adjourned the proceedings till 12 p.m.

When the House reassembled, Deputy Chairman Harivansh made repeated appeals to the protesting members to take their seats and allow the Question Hour to proceed but they did not relent.

He allowed the Question Hour to continue and took some questions amid the din.

After about half an hour, the deputy chairman adjourned the House till  2 p.m.

Lok Sabha Adjourned, Gen Insurance Bill Passed

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day as Opposition members continued their protest over the Pegasus spyware controversy and other issues on Monday.

Before Rama Devi, who was in the Chair, adjourned the proceedings till Tuesday morning, the House passed the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Amendment Bill with voice-vote.

When the House re-assembled at 3.30 p.m,  the Opposition members continued their protest as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she wanted to respond to the concerns raised by the Leader of the Congress party, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

As the din continued, the minister sought passage of the Bill, and the House approved it by a voice vote.

The proceedings of the House were first adjourned till noon, then till 2 p.m and again till 3.30 p.m as an unrelenting opposition refused to end its protests.