Opposition keeps up heat in Houses on fuel prices

In both the Houses, while the government and the Chair suggested that the issues related to fuel prices could be addressed during the debate on demand for grants and the finance bill, opposition parties pressed for an immediate and exclusive discussion on the matter.

Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, as opposition parties continued protests against rising fuel prices. Parliament resumed its usual schedule starting from 11am on Tuesday, after nearly a year of staggered timings and segregated seating necessitated by the Covid pandemic.

In the Lok Sabha, several Congress members were in the Well, demanding a rollback of the fuel price hikes. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members were seen standing at their seats as other opposition leaders joined the protest. (HT_PRINT)

In both the Houses, while the government and the Chair suggested that the issues related to fuel prices could be addressed during the debate on demand for grants and the finance bill, opposition parties pressed for an immediate and exclusive discussion on the matter.

In the Lok Sabha, several Congress members were in the Well, demanding a rollback of the fuel price hikes. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members were seen standing at their seats as other opposition leaders joined the protest.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury raised the issue of what he called the “digital divide” between members of the House, at which Speaker Om Birla asked whether he wanted to show chaos to the country. “(But) there is digital discrimination. Whatever the government says and does comes on television. Whatever the opposition says does not ... The blackout should stop...” Chowdhury said. To this, Birla said, “Does the honourable leader of the Congress in the House want to show chaos to the country?”

Meanwhile, in the Rajya Sabha, leader of the opposition Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a debate on the fuel price issue.