During the winter session of Parliament on Tuesday, before the Zero Hour commenced in the Lok Sabha, various documents marked with ministers' names on the agenda were presented by the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal. The Speaker expressed his dismay, insisting that ministers marked on the agenda should be present in the House. Typically, after Question Hour concludes at noon, essential documents listed on the agenda are tabled in the House by the respective ministers. However, if a minister is absent, the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs steps in to present them.
During this session, a vital paper marked under the name of the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, was presented by Meghwal, leading Speaker Birla to note that Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who was seated in the House, should have been called upon to submit it.
Later, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, was setting down documents recorded under his name, needing assistance from other ministers. Observing this, the Speaker advised, "Do not tutor each other." Subsequently, he requested Meghwal to present the pertinent documents.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju was also present in the House. Yet, when Meghwal presented a document marked under the name of the Minister of State for Rural Development, Kamlesh Paswan, the Speaker grew annoyed. He stated, "Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, ensure that ministers named in the agenda are present in the House. Otherwise, you might as well provide all the answers."
Speaker Warns Lok Sabha Members
Speaker Om Birla warned members that if the 'adjournments' disrupt House proceedings further, sessions might be called during weekends to make up for lost time. The government and opposition parties had reached a compromise on Monday to end the week-long parliamentary deadlock. A declaration was made for discussions in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha concerning the adoption of the Constitution's 75th Anniversary, setting discussions for December 13th and 14th in the Lower House, and December 16th and 17th in the Upper House.
Following Question Hour, Birla announced, "The House will convene at 11 AM on Saturday, December 14th. Should this adjournment continue, you will be required to participate in proceedings over the weekend." He mentioned no notices of adjournments were permitted today.
Parliamentary proceedings had been stalled last week due to opposition-induced uproar over the Adani indictment controversy, recent violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, and other issues.
