Why is the Lok Sabha Deadlocked Over SIR?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Lok Sabha was adjourned due to protests over the SIR in Bihar.
- Speaker Om Birla faced chaos as Opposition members demanded discussions.
- BJP MP Manoj Tiwari questioned the implementation of PMAY.
- Dr. Pemmasani highlighted significant achievements in housing.
- Disruptions underscore the need for dialogue in democracy.
New Delhi, Aug 12 (NationPress) The Lok Sabha has been adjourned until 12 noon today due to renewed protests by Opposition members who are insisting on a discussion regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
As Speaker Om Birla entered the House at 11 a.m., the Opposition rose in unison, chanting slogans and holding placards, which resulted in chaos within the chamber.
Amid the uproar, Speaker Birla attempted to commence Question Hour and began calling on members.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari from Delhi raised a supplementary question regarding the execution of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Minister of State for Rural Development, Dr. Chandrasekhar Pemmasani, tried to respond, but his voice was largely drowned out by the turmoil.
Tiwari inquired whether the government had reached saturation for eligible households identified through the SECC-2011 (Socio-Economic and Caste Census) and the Awaas+ 2018 survey, and whether any targets had been established or houses sanctioned under PMAY-Gramin within the National Capital Territory of Delhi, especially in North East Delhi.
He also sought district-wise data. In a concise reply, Dr. Pemmasani stated: “Under PMAY, based on SECC-2011 and the 2018 Awaas+ survey, we have sanctioned 3 crore houses. After the 2024 Awaas survey, the Cabinet approved an additional 2 crore houses. In total, 5 crore houses have been sanctioned, with 4.12 crore already allocated to states, and 3.8 crore distributed. Out of these, 2.9 crore houses have been constructed.”
He emphasized the performance of the current government compared to the previous UPA regime, noting that the central share released under the current administration was Rs 2.7 lakh crore, in contrast to Rs 66,000 crore during UPA.
“We are operating in saturation mode,” he asserted, before being silenced again.
Dr. Pemmasani also pointed out two notable features of the 2024 Awaas survey: e-KYC authentication, introduced for the first time in India, and self-registration via a mobile application.
Disruptions escalated before the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare could answer a question from Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane. Opposition members insisted on an immediate discussion regarding the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision exercise in Bihar, making the minister’s remarks unintelligible.
With no indication of order being restored, the Speaker adjourned the House until noon, marking yet another stalled session during the ongoing Monsoon Session, which has faced consistent disruptions over the SIR issue.