Parliament adjourns for the day, LS passes two bills

Parliament was adjourned for the day Thursday after the Lok Sabha managed to pass two bills and Rajya Sabha failing to transact any business amid uproar by the Opposition over various issues in both Houses.

Both Houses have been witnessing a ruckus over the Rafale fighter jet deal and Cauvery river issue, among other matters.

The two bills which were passed by Lok Sabha were - the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 and the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

In the Rajya Sabha, slogan-shouting members of Tamil parties - AIADMK and DMK -- trooped into the well of the House over the Cauvery issue as soon as the House met for the day.

Opposition Congress members also shouted slogans and held placards seeking a probe by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) into the purchase of Rafale jets from France.

Treasury benches countered Congress members with slogans demanding an apology from Congress President Rahul Gandhi following the Supreme Court clean chit to the Rafale deal.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said all issues can be discussed and members should allow the House to function.

"Many issues are pending. Important bills are there. We have to discuss about (devastation caused by) cyclones (in some states)," he said.

However, sensing the mood he adjourned the House for the day minutes after it assembled.

In the Lok Sabha, the proceedings were adjourned in the morning amid sparring between members from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the issue of proposal to build a dam on the Cauvery River.

While members from Congress demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Rafale deal, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka entered the well holding placards over the Cauvery issue.

TDP MPs demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh and setting up of a steel plant in the state.

However, the lower house managed to pass two bills after which Speaker Sumitra Mahajan agreed to a debate on the triple talaq bill on December 27, and adjoured the House for the day.

As the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018, was taken up for consideration, Leader of the Opposition in the House Mallikarjun Kharge suggested it be taken up for discussion next week.

He said the Opposition would also participate in the debate on the bill.

Parlimentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar sought an assurance from the Opposition that it would allow discussion on the bill without disruption on that day.

Following Kharge's suggestion, Law Minister Mani Shankar Prasad said, "As Kharje ji has made an open promise, we have no problems in having a discussion on December 27. I urge that this debate be held in a sanguine and peaceful manner."