Deadlock Over Rafale Continues in Parliament

New Delhi: The deadlock in Parliament over Rafale fighter jet deal continued on the seventh consecutive day as the Congress stalled the proceedings over its demand for a JPC probe on which the government kept mum, saying it was ready to discuss the controversial deal. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day minutes after its proceedings began. The Lok Sabha managed to do some legislative business amid uproar and was finally adjourned for the day after witnessing two adjournments in the pre-lunch session. However, amid disruptions by the Congress, the AIADMK and the TDP on different issues, the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 that ensures effective regulation of surrogacy and prohibits commercial surrogacy was discussed and passed by voice vote in the Lok Sabha.

As the Bill was passed, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan called Union Food and Consumer Minister Ramvilas Paswan to initiate debate on the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018. But the AIADMK, the TDP and the Congress members continued with their protest forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for the day. Throughout the proceedings, Congress members kept raising their demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the purchase of 36-ready-to-fly Rafale fighter jets deal. The AIADMK members were protesting Karnataka’s proposal to construct a dam across the Cauvery at Mekadatu.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar responded that the government was ready for a discussion on any issue, including the Rafale deal, but maintained silence over the demand for a JPC probe. (IANS)

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