March 13, New Delhi — Proceedings in both houses of Parliament were adjourned until 2 pm on Friday following protests by opposition members.
In the Lower House, opposition members marched to the well and raised slogans against the government as the House reconvened at 12 noon after an earlier adjournment.
Speaker Om Birla urged members not to disrupt the Question Hour, stressing that it is a crucial time for MPs to raise issues related to their constituencies and matters of national importance. He reminded the House that maintaining the dignity and sanctity of Parliament is the responsibility of every member, both inside and outside the chamber.
The Speaker also criticized the protesting members, saying their behavior did not reflect the decorum expected in the House.
As the opposition protests continued, the Chair adjourned the proceedings until 2 pm.
Meanwhile, the Question Hour in the Upper House began with members discussing the impact of cheap imports on the handloom industry.
Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, said that 70% of the people involved in the handloom sector are women. He highlighted the Samarth scheme for upskilling the youth in the textile sector. He dismissed the imports in the handloom sector as "negligible."
Members also discussed railway projects in Kerala and Odisha. Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, quoting E. Sreedharan's report, said that the Kerala State government has no expertise in railways. Later, the Rajya Sabha was also adjourned amid the protests until 2 pm.