Disruptions go on, LS passes 2 more bills sans debate

NEW DELHI: The National Democrtic Alliance (NDA) government on Thursday managed to push through two bills in the Lok Sabha without discussion, as members from different parties continued protesting over issues such as the PNB bank fraud and the special status to Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation.

The Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 and The Specific Relief (Amendment) Bill, 2017 were passed by voice vote in the lower house without any debate amid the din. Then the House was adjourned.

Members from the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), YSR Congress and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi kept protesting while the Bills were passed.

The Rajya Sabha meanwhile, was adjourned in the first half of the day after Congress MPs rose in protest against comments on bifurcation and reorganisation of Andhra Pradesh, made by former minister and TDP member YS Chowdary in his statement on why he had resigned from the ministry. “In light of the fact that public discourse on the subject... has, of late, been badly vitiated and when tempers and passions are rising high, there is a need to put the perspective straight...” Chowdary said.

He then went on to say that the previous UPA government did not give the state proper treatment during bifurcation. The Congress MPs rose in protest. Amid the din, Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu asked Chowdary adjourned the house till 2 pm.