Amid continuous Opposition protests, the Lok Sabha passes two Bills before it was adjourned for the day.
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Speaker cautions Opposition for disruption
Opposition members kept protesting over the Pegasus issue and the three Central farm laws despite Lok Speaker Om Birla cautioning them that he would be forced to take strict action against those who ‘repeatedly disrupt the proceedings’.
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) Amendment Bill, 2021, and The Inland Vessels Bill, 2021, were passed in the din without debate.
Reportedly, the House began at 11 a.m., Mr. Birla said he was deeply hurt by the Wednesday incident when some members tore papers and threw at the Chair and Treasury benches.
Furthermore, the Speaker adds, “If such incidents are repeated, then I would need your cooperation. I would take stern steps against such members so that we can maintain the dignity of Parliament”.
Minister demands an apology from Opposition
When Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi demanded an apology, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says that Opposition members were not able to put forth their views because of the ‘stubborn’ attitude of the government.
Despite the inconvenient interruptions, Business Advisory Committee members met to discuss the agenda.
Scindia’s leaves scathing remarks on the Opposition
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia says, “During the pandemic, instead of discussion, the House is witnessing sloganeering… We will convert this crisis into an opportunity and provide all possible facilities to farmers and people… Let the people of the country know what great work the Prime Minister is doing and what they [Opposition] are doing,” as he moves to the AERA Amendment Bill.
About the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA)
According to the amendment the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) allows regulation of tariff and other charges for aeronautical services for not just airports with annual passenger traffic of more than 35 lakh but also a group of airports.
Once the Bill becomes a law, the government will be able to club profitable and non-profitable airports as a package for privatization as envisaged in this year’s Budget speech.
Following that, Ports and Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal moved the Inland Vessels Bill that seeks to introduce a uniform regulatory framework for navigation across the country and provide a central database for registration of vessels and their crew.
Lastly, to prevent pollution, the Bill also specifies safety standards for the disposal of sewage and vessels will be granted a certificate of prevention of pollution by State governments.
