New Delhi: The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were adjourned for the day on Friday as the opposition demanded a discussion on the alleged irregularities in the conduct of the medical entrance exam NEET.
When the House reassembled at 12 noon, opposition members continued with their demand for a discussion on matters related to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
Speaker Om Birla and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told opposition members that they could discuss the matter during the course of the Motion of Thanks on the President's address.
Birla said there are certain norms of Parliament that have to be followed and committees have to be formed which Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said students are not aware of it. They are only demanding justice.
As members from the Congress, TMC and DMK parties stormed the Well, Rijiju said it is for the first time that the opposition is seen demanding a discussion on an issue before the House takes up the Motion of Thanks on the President's address.
"I assure the opposition we will answer any issue that you raise during the Motion of Thanks discussion," Rijiju said. As members continued with sloganeering, Birla said the people have elected members to this House so that they can raise and discuss issues, and not disrupt the proceedings.
"There is a difference between protest on the road and protest inside the House... You (Opposition) don't want House to run? You don't want to discuss NEET during Motion of Thanks discussion?" Birla said. As the House continued to see uproar, Birla adjourned the proceedings till Monday.
Amid the din, TMC member S K Nurul Islam took oath as a Lok Sabha member. When the House met in the morning, opposition members were on their feet seeking the acceptance of an adjournment motion to suspend all business and discuss matters related to NEET.
However, the Speaker said he would first take up the obituary references to 13 former members, including ex-Lok Sabha speaker and ex-Maharashtra chief minister Manohar Joshi.
When the obituary references were over, the opposition members were on their feet again. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said the NEET issue is a very important issue for the whole country and they want a dedicated discussion in the House on the matter. Hence, the adjournment motion should be accepted, he said.
However, Birla said he could not allow it as the House was about to take up the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on Thursday.
"You can raise all matters in the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address. You will get enough time. But I can't allow you to raise any other issue during the debate on the Motion of Thanks. It was already decided and mentioned in the bulletin too," he said.
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