Ruckus in RS during passage of farm bills, oppn members attempt to pull mikes

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha on Sunday witnessed ruckus by opposition parties opposing extension of the House for the passage of the farm sector bills.

Amid the  reply by Agriculture Minister to the debate in the Upper House on the  Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and the  Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, when the Deputy Chairman Harivansh asked if the House agrees to extend proceedings from 1300 hrs  till disposal of the Bills, the opposition raised an uproar , demanding the House be adjourned for the day and voting on the bills be taken up tomorrow.

Some members headed to the well of the House. Deputy Chairman asked them to return to their seats but in vain.

Leader of Opposition Gulam Nabi Azad said that the norm is that the House timing is extended on the basis of consensus, not numbers. He said that the consensus is that the House be adjourned for the day.

Entering the well of the House, members of the Aam Aadmi party and All India Trinamool Congress shouted slogans against the government.

While some members waved the rule book at Deputy Chairman Harivansh, others attempted to pull mikes.

Amid the ruckus, the audio feed of the live telecast was used for some time.

When the uproar continued, the Deputy Chairman adjourned the house for 15 minutes.

The uproar continued when the house reassembled.

Attempts by the chair to restore order citing Covid-19 and the need for social distancing failed to deter members from protesting.

The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 were passed by the Rajya Sabha by voice vote amid opposition uproar.

The opposition was demanding that the bills be referred to a Select committee of the Rajya Sabha. (UNI)