Why Was the Rajya Sabha Adjourned Till 2 PM?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Rajya Sabha was adjourned due to Opposition disruptions.
- 25 notices were submitted under Rule 267, but none were accepted.
- Over 51 hours of productive time have been lost in the current session.
- The need for order and adherence to parliamentary rules is critical.
- This situation highlights the ongoing tension between the government and the Opposition.
New Delhi, Aug 7 (NationPress) The Rajya Sabha was suspended until 2 p.m. on Thursday due to ongoing disruptions by Opposition members who insisted on a discussion regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, who was in charge of the session, reported that 25 notices had been submitted under Rule 267, which permits the suspension of scheduled business to deliberate on urgent matters.
However, he refused to accept any of these notices, citing a lack of adherence to procedural standards.
“Following my remarks on August 5 and the precedent from 2021, none of these notices comply with the rules,” Harivansh stated.
He referenced a ruling by the former Chairman during the COVID-19 pandemic, asserting, “You cannot discuss 17 issues at once. No one can dictate to the Chair. I am strictly adhering to the rules.”
Despite his call for order, Opposition members remained resolute, demanding a dedicated discussion on the SIR matter. The Deputy Chairman attempted to proceed with Zero Hour submissions, announcing the names of members who had filed notices, but the chaos continued.
The Deputy Chairman pointed out the consequences of the ongoing disruptions, noting that while the House had the capacity to address 180 starred questions, 180 Zero Hour notices, and 180 special mentions in recent days, only 13 starred questions, 5 Zero Hour submissions, and 17 special mentions had been discussed so far.
“We have forfeited over 51 hours of productive time,” he expressed regretfully, appealing to members to respect the dignity of the House.
Earlier in the session, ministers and MPs presented papers, notifications, and reports from department-related standing committees as outlined in the revised business agenda.
Nevertheless, the Opposition's demand to halt regular proceedings for a debate on electoral roll revisions led to yet another adjournment.
This stalemate highlights the escalating tensions between the treasury and opposition benches, with procedural mechanisms like Rule 267 becoming focal points in the larger political struggle over electoral transparency and parliamentary operations.