The winter session of Parliament commenced at 11 am, as it entered its 14th day on Thursday, 16 December.
Both the houses had been adjourned on Wednesday amid increasing protests by Opposition members over the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report which said that the Lakhimpur Kheri incident was a pre-planned conspiracy, and was not merely an act of negligence.
Eight people, including four farmers, were killed in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri in October, after being run over by a convoy of cars.
The Parliament has also witnessed protests and walkouts over the suspension of 12 Rajya Sabha MPs, who were suspended for their "unruly" conduct in the monsoon session.
Rajya Sabha to have a discussion on the situation arising out of cases of Omicron variant in the country
Environment minister Bhupendra Yadav to move the 'Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021' in the Lok Sabha
LS, RS Adjourned for the Day
Both the Houses were adjourned for the day within minutes of their commencement, amid sloganeering and protests by Opposition members demanding the resignation of MoS Ajay Misra Teni.
9 Percent MSMEs Closed Due to COVID: Govt in LS
National Small Industries Corporation Ltd conducted an online survey in August 2020, covering around 5,774 MSMEs in 32 States/UTs to assess the impact of COVID on MSMEs.
It was found that 91 percent MSMEs were functional and 9 percent closed down due to the impact, the government said today in Lok Sabha, while answering a question by Rahul Gandhi.
We Will Also Do ‘Khela,’ Says Prahlad Joshi
Meanwhile, ignoring Opposition demands for a discussion on the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi said, "Supreme Court-monitored investigation is going on in the Lakhimpur Kheri case. Parliament is a place for discussions. We want to take constructive suggestions from the Opposition. We call them for discussions but they refuse."
Responding to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remark that there will be 'Khela Hobe' again and the Bharatiya Janata Party will be defeated in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Joshi retaliated saying,
"There is a lot of time left in the 2024 elections. We will also do 'Khela' at the time of the Lok Sabha election, you also do the same, but let parliament discussions take place now."
‘PM Is Protecting Him’: LoP Kharge Speaks on Lakhimpur Kheri
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said, "We had given a notice under Rule 267 in RS over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident. We wanted a discussion over the incidents that took place there, especially on the SIT clearly saying that the mowing down of farmers was pre-planned, a conspiracy and it was a murder."
He stated, "Police have filed an updated charge sheet. Its supervision is being done by a retired judge to ensure that the inquiry goes on properly. Son of MoS Home is involved and he himself was the conspirator. He along with 13 of his friends killed the farmers."
Kharge added, "We wanted to present this before House. We had requested Chairman and had given a notice in the morning. Minister Teni had once told the farmers to break their 'satyagraha', otherwise, he knows how to make it happen within 2 minutes. Maybe his son acted on this."
Further, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of protecting MoS Ajay Misra, Kharge said, "PM is not taking any action. If no action is being taken despite the SIT report then we have to say that the PM is protecting him. Chairman didn't listen to our appeal and suddenly adjourned the House."