New Delhi, February 9 DMK MP Tiruchi Siva submitted a notice of privilege in the Rajya Sabha against Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday for revealing details of the Indo-US trade deal outside the House while Parliament was in session.
When the House met for the day, Siva raised the notice, stating that Goyal had committed a breach of privilege by announcing details of a government policy decision outside the House.
Chairman C P Radhakrishnan said that Goyal had already made a statement on the issue in the House and he would look into it later.
"I have submitted a notice of privilege against Minister Piyush Goyal, alleging that he gave an interview regarding government policy decisions outside the House while Parliament was in session. This constitutes a breach of privilege of this House," he added, emphasizing that such action was not in keeping with the norms of the House.
Goyal had made a statement in both Houses of Parliament on February 3 regarding the "framework understanding" reached with Washington on the trade deal between the two countries. On that day, he had said that the "detailed contours of the agreement" would be announced shortly.
India and the US jointly released a statement on Saturday morning, outlining the details of the agreement reached. Goyal subsequently held a press conference on February 7 and gave a series of interviews on the India-US trade deal.
In the notice, Siva contended that, according to parliamentary practice and convention, it is improper to announce any policy outside Parliament when it is in session.
The Budget session of Parliament began on January 28.
"This has already been discussed. He has already made the statement in the House. We will look into it later," Radhakrishnan said.
However, this did not satisfy the opposition parties, who were pressing for the notice to be taken up.
Leader of the Opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wanted to speak but was not allowed.
"We will go through it later. Please sit, let the House run with its usual business," Radhakrishnan said as he took up the listed business.