Parliament passes juvenile justice bill

NEW DELHI: Amid the din over the Pegasus snooping row, farm laws and price rise, the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday approved the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, 2021. The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha in March 2021.

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha proceedings were disrupted on Wednesday as Opposition parties kept up their protests over Pegasus snooping row, farm laws and price rise.

Amid the din, the House approved the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, 2021. The Bill is already passed by Lok Sabha. The Upper House, which has seen continuous protests by the opposition since the Monsoon session started on July 19 to press for discussions on Peagasus and farm laws, was adjourned thrice before the Chair finally adjourned it for the day.

While moving the bill for consideration in the House, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said, “Some of the renowned Parliamentarians, who have always prioritised the needs of the vulnerable...however, politics demands that they stand right here in the Well and attract attention towards the issue which they feel fit.” She added that despite this disruption, the House will agree that the children of this country deserve their attention for protection and support.

However, the opposition members did not return to their seats and Raja Sabha witnessed continuous uproar. Early in the day, as Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu called for the Zero Hour, where MPs raise issues of public importance, MPs belonging to Congress, TMC and other opposition parties started raising slogans on Pegasus snooping, farm laws, fuel hike and other issues.

They also brought placards. As some of them tried to move into the Well of the House, Naidu ordered that no placards will be displayed.