Parliament Monsoon Session live updates | Congress MPs stage a walkout as Lok Sabha reassembles; RS adjourned till 12 p.m.

Since the Monsoon Session began on July 18, the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha have failed to transact any significant business so far, and the fourth day of the Session also started on a stormy note on Thursday, with both the Houses getting adjourned minutes after assembling. With both the Houses witnessing Opposition protests over price rise, the Lower House was adjourned till 11.30 a.m. and the Rajya Sabha till 12 noon.

As the Lower House reassembled at 11.30 a.m., Opposition MPs continued to raise slogans against price rise and the Enforcement Directorate summons to Congress president Sonia Gandhi for questioning in a money laundering case. Later, as the Chairman refused to entertain their demands, the Congress MPs staged a walkout from the House. Congress MPs are marching from Parliament to the AICC office over the ED action by buses kept outside the Parliament complex.

On Wednesday, the third day of the Monsoon Session, both the Houses were adjourned because of Opposition protests on price rise and inflation. The Lower House alone discussed some issues under Rule 377 before adjourning for the day. 

Today, while the Lok Sabha will take up the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 for consideration and passing, the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022 will be discussed in the Upper House.

Here are the live updates:

Lok Sabha | 11.38 a.m.

Congress MPs stage a walkout

As the Lower House reassembled at 11.30 a.m., Opposition MPs continued to raise slogans against price rise and the Enforcement Directorate summons to Congress president Sonia Gandhi for questioning in a money laundering case. Later, as the Chairman refused to entertain their demands, the Congress MPs staged a walkout from the House. Congress MPs are marching from Parliament to the AICC office over the ED action by buses kept outside the Parliament complex.

Lok Sabha | 11.30 a.m.

Sloganeering continues as Lok Sabha reassembles

After getting adjourned till 11.30 a.m. over Opposition protests over rising prices and the Enforcement Directorate summons to Congress president Sonia Gandhi for questioning in a money laundering case, the Lok Sabha reassembles again, but the sloganeering by Opposition MPs continue.

Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, talking about the Godavari floods during the Question Hour, says the Central Government already provides flood-related assitance to all the States and is ready to extend support to all the States.

Lok Sabha | 11.10 a.m.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 11.30 a.m.

Amidst unrelenting sloganeering from Opposition members, BJP MP Prahlad Joshi says that we have already agreed to discuss price rise. “When Nirmala Sitharaman has recovered from COVID, we will have a discussion,” he says. “Do the Opposition members want the House to funstion or not,” the BJP MP asks.

As sloganeering and protests continue, Speaker Om Birla says House is adjourned till 11.30 a.m.

Rajya Sabha | 11.05 a.m.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 p.m.

As proceedings began in Upper House for Day 4 of the Monsoon Session 2022, Opposition MPs continued to protest against rising prices and other issues. Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu objected to members bringing placards and other items in the House and adjourned the session till 12 noon today.

Earlier, he wished Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on the latter’s 80th birthday.

Lok Sabha | 11.00 a.m.

Proceedings begin in Lok Sabha

Amidst continued sloganeering by Opposition leaders, Day 4 proceedings in the Lower House begin. The Speaker urges the Opposition MPs to raise their demands after the Question Hour, but sloganeering continues.

Amidst unrelenting sloganeering, BJP MP Prahlad Joshi says that we have already agreed to discuss price rise. “Do the Opposition members want the House to funstion or not,” the BJP MP asks.

Lok Sabha | 10.35 a.m.

Cong. MP gives adjournment motion notice in LS to discuss ‘misuse’ of ED

Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Thursday gave a notice of adjournment in the Lok Sabha seeking a discussion on the alleged misuse of the Enforcement Directorate and “targeting” of “innocent” Opposition leaders.

The notice by Mr. Tagore comes on a day Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is set to be questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering investigation the agency is carrying out into the affairs of the National Herald newspaper.

In his notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary General, Mr. Tagore sought a discussion on the alleged misuse of the ED and “list of scams” of the BJP government pending with the Enforcement Department.

He alleged that the ED functions as the “Enemy Destroyer (ED)“ of the BJP government.

“The House shall also advise the ED to abandon the behaviour of calling the public representatives of Opposition party, especially targeting the opposition leaders,” he said. – PTI

Parliament | 10.30 a.m.

Monsoon Session Day 3: continued protests, written replies, and more | Parliament Watch podcast

In this episode of the Parliament Watch podcast, we cover the continued protests and sloganeering against price hikes, written replies to critical questions, and UPSC candidate recommendations.