Rajya Sabha proceedings disrupted as house seeks aid for farmers

New Delhi: Attacking the Modi government for failing to address farmers crisis, Opposition on Thursday said the government’s focus is only on passing the Land Acquisition Bill even when large number of farmers are committing suicides.

Participating in a discussion in Rajya Sabha on the agrarian crisis, many members demanded waiver of crop loans, substantial hike in the minimum support price (MSP) of farm crops and asked government to take immediate measures to help farmers who have been badly hit by the recent unseasonal rains and hailstorm.

Earlier, procedural wrangles held up proceedings for nearly an hour before the Upper House took up discussion. Some of the members, including Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, had given notices for suspension of business of house and discussion of farmers’ issue which the government agreed.

The House also witnessed pandemonium when Opposition tried to corner the government on the Land Ordinance issue. The situation got ugly when TMC MP Nadeem ul-Haq tore a copy of agenda paper and threw it into the Well.

Later, initiating the discussion, Mr Azad said UPA’s land bill should be restored and the NDA should not insist on calling a joint Parliamentary session.