NEW DELHI, Aug 8: Both houses of Parliament were on Monday adjourned sine die four days ahead of the schedule. The Monsoon session of Parliament was originally scheduled to end on August 12.
Outgoing Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Monday stated, “I tell all sides, respect democracy” as IUML MP Abdul Wahab urged him to tell the ruling BJP to ensure a democratic atmosphere in India.
“We, the Upper House, have a greater responsibility. The entire world is watching India; India is on the move. I appeal to RS MPs to maintain decency, dignity & decorum so that the image & respect of the House is maintained,” Naidu said in his last remarks as the RS Chairman.
Bidding farewell to Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “You (Naidu) have always said that you have retired from politics but are not tired of public life… Your term in the office may be coming to an end but your experiences will continue to guide the nation for years to come”. Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition in the House, Mallikarjun Kharge, stated that though they may have different ideologies, he thanks Naidu for carrying out his responsibilities even under pressure.
The Congress party, meanwhile, has hit out at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over its summons to Kharge. Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh issued a statement saying, “…in matters, issuing of summons by ED or any law-enforcing agencies to any MP much less the Leader of Opposition when Parliament is in session, is an outright affront to the sacred institution of Parliament and Parliamentarians.” He added, “it is high time that the presiding officers of both Houses may deliberate and ensure that such gross affronts on Parliament and MPs do not recur.”
Before the House was adjourned, the Lok Sabha on Monday passed an official bill seeking to mandate the use of non-fossil energy sources such as biomass, ethanol and green hydrogen. Piloting the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, Power Minister R K Singh said “this is the bill for the future,” and urged the members to approve it.
The bill was later passed by the House after rejecting amendments moved by some Opposition members. The Minister said the renewable energy capacity addition in the country was fastest in the world. The Bill provides for penalties for violations by industrial units or vessels, and on manufacturers if a vehicle fails to comply with fuel consumption norms.
(Manas Dasgupta)