Parliament: Consensus on 15 hour discussion over farmers' issue

The time allocated for the debate on Motion of Thanks to the President's address was increased from 10 to 15 hours.

The government and the opposition reached a consensus on a 15 hour discussion over the farmers' issue in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The issue will be raised during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address. The announcement was made by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi who said that both parties have reached a consensus.

"Since the government has accepted this proposal, we are ready for a discussion," said opposition leader and Congress member Ghulam Nabi Azad. The time allocated for the debate on Motion of Thanks to the President's address was increased from 10 to 15 hours.

However, the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha were briefly adjourned on Wednesday after AAP members shouted slogans in the House. Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu suspended three MPs of Aam Aadmi Party- Sanjay Singh, N D Gupta and Sushil Gupta. On Tuesday, both Houses- Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned three times before they were finally adjourned for the day. The opposition members protested against the three farm laws and raised slogans, trooped into the Well, walked out of the House and continued protests whenever they returned.

The Question Hour has been suspended for three days while Zero Hour for two days. In order to accommodate the discussion on farmers' issues, private members' bills will not be taken up on Friday. Farmers have been protesting at the Delhi borders for over two months demanding the repeal of three agricultural laws.