New Delhi, 03 February (H.S.): On Tuesday, opposition parties triggered a fierce uproar in the Lok Sabha over the India-US trade agreement, brandishing placards and advancing toward the Speaker's podium while raising anti-government slogans. Proceedings, barely resumed at noon, were swiftly adjourned again until 2 p.m. due to the disruption.

The House convened at 11 a.m., when Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the demise of former MP Surupsing Hiriya Naik, prompting members to observe a solemn silence in tribute. As Question Hour commenced immediately after, opposition MPs launched their protests, targeting the trade deal and assailing the government amid the din. Home Minister of State Nityanand Rai managed to field a supplementary question response.

Speaker Birla urged opposition members to refrain from sloganeering during Question Hour, emphasizing its role in holding the government accountable through member queries. He assured ample opportunities for debate on the President's Address Motion of Thanks and the Budget, where all could voice their views comprehensively.

At noon, presiding officer Krishna Prasad Tenneth reconvened the House, facilitating oral responses from ministers across key ministries. These included Jitin Prasada (Commerce and Industry), Ramdas Athawale and B.L. Verma (Social Justice and Empowerment), Ram Nath Thakur (Agriculture), Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani (Rural Development), Bhupati Raju Nivas Verma (Heavy Industries and Steel), and Pabitra Margherita (Textiles), who laid answers on the Table.

Motions followed for electing members to vital parliamentary committees: Estimates Committee, Public Accounts Committee, Committee on Public Undertakings, and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Welfare Committee. Proposers comprised Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Jugal Kishore, K.C. Venugopal, Aparajita Sarangi, Baijayant Panda, Shankar Lalwani, Dr. Faggan Singh Kulaste, and Ananta Nayak.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the 14th Report of the Business Advisory Committee, which the House approved, alongside several Rule 377 notices highlighting diverse issues. Persistent opposition commotion nonetheless compelled adjournment until 2 p.m.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar