Oppn walkout in Rajya Sabha on SIR, government says 69 hours of work wasted this session
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The Opposition forced a washout of the first half in the Rajya Sabha on Monday and staged a walkout in the post-lunch session on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue but the government managed to get the Indian Ports Bill, 2025 passed after a short debate in which members of BJP and like-minded parties took part.With the monsoon session scheduled to end on Thursday, there is not much listed business in the Upper House. In the Business Advisory Committee meeting, the government has stated that it will move only two legislations this week: The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025; and the Indian Institute of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after the Lok Sabha clears it and sends it to the House.Opposition sources said that with the SIR issue hitting a roadblock in the House, three parties –– Congress, TMC and AAP –– have written to the deputy chairman demanding a Short Duration Discussion on 'the urgent need to strengthen the electoral process' under Rule 176. The letter has been signed by Jairam Ramesh (Congress), Derek O'Brien (TMC) and Sanjay Singh (AAP). The chair has not yet taken cognizance of this.When the Upper House met for the day, deputy chairperson Harivansh made an obituary reference to the passing away of Nagaland Governor La Ganesan. He then announced that he has received 19 notices under Rule 267 for the suspension of listed business to take up matters of urgent importance. The chair rejected these notices as they were not in order.As the House proceeded to take up Zero Hour with Dinesh Sharma (BJP) as the first speaker, the Opposition was on its feet and raised slogans on the SIR issue. The House was adjourned till 2 pm.The Indian Ports Bill, 2025 was taken up by the House with vice chairman Sasmit Patra in the chair. The Opposition pressed for a discussion on SIR but Patra did not yield. Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said the House and the chair are the supreme authority to discuss the issue. 'Constitution has given us this right and nobody can snatch it from us,' he said.As leader of the House JP Nadda rose to counter this, the Opposition members staged a walkout. Nadda said the SIR issue is sub-judice and hence cannot be discussed. He charged that 69 hours of work in Rajya Sabha has been wasted due to Opposition protests in this session. He termed the conduct of the Opposition as 'irresponsible behaviour and anarchism'.'We are willing to discuss all issues as per the rules. From opposing a party, they have ended up opposing the nation,' Nadda said.Shipping minister Sarbanand Sonowal piloted the Indian Ports Bill which was passed after a few members from the treasury benches and from parties that extend issue-based support to the government spoke briefly on the legislation.
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Time of India
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