A day after Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day without transacting any business, government and opposition parties reached a consensus to allocate more time to discuss motion of thanks during which the lawmakers can raise the issue of the farmers' protest.
The discussion on motion of thanks will last 15 hours, and the parties will be allowed to raise the farmers' issue. The Question Hour has been suspended for two days.
This comes after Tuesday's pandemonium that forced Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to adjourn the proceedings thrice before adjourning it for the day.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, Left, TMC, and DMK, had given a notice under Rule 267 that calls for setting aside of business of the day to take up a discussion on the issue pressed. Naidu had, however, disallowed the motion, saying the members were free to raise the issue during the discussion on motion of thanks to the President's address.
As the House resumed on Wednesday, the government reached a consensus with the Opposition for a 15-hour discussion.
Naidu also warned lawmakers against using mobile phones to record the proceedings.
"There's a restriction on usage of cellular phones within Rajya Sabha chambers. It has been observed that some members are using their mobile phones to record proceedings of the House; while sitting in [the] chamber, such conduct is against parliamentary etiquette," Naidu said.
"Members should desist from such unwarranted activities inside the chamber. Such unauthorised recording of proceedings of [the] House and its circulation on social media may lead to breach of privilege and contempt of the House."
