Both Houses of Parliament Adjourned Till 2 PM Amid Ruckus

New Delhi: The second part of the Budget Session today started on a stormy note as both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 PM. The two Houses witnessed adjournment following uproar over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in London on democracy in India.

Opposition Congress members reacted sharply to the government’s demand for an apology for Gandhi’s comments, which led to the adjournment of the proceedings of Lok Sabha.

As soon as the proceedings started, defence minister Rajnath Singh cited Gandhi’s remarks on Indian democracy and accused the Congress leader of trying to “defame” India.

Singh said the House should condemn the remarks while asking Gandhi to apologise. He alleged Gandhi sought foreign intervention in India’s internal affairs and added it should be condemned.

During this second part of the Budget Session thrust will be on the passage of the Union Budget. According to Parliament records, around 26 Bills are pending in the Rajya Sabha and 9 in the Lok Sabha for passing.

Two Bills – The Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022, and The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 were referred to a Joint Committee by the government last Winter Session and they are currently being examined by the panel.

It is known through sources that the CP Joshi-led panel discussing the Multi-State Cooperative Bill will be presenting its report in Parliament in the upcoming session. This panel has completed its discussion on the Bill and is likely to adopt its draft report today.

The government will also list The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which was scrutinised by a Joint Committee of Parliament.

It is also known through the sources that the government may bring the keenly awaited Personal Data Protection Bill in the upcoming session. This Bill is likely to be cleared by the Union Cabinet soon.