8 RS MPs suspended over chaos on farm bills

New Delhi: Eight opposition lawmakers in the Rajya Sabha, including Trinamool Congress’ Derek O’Brien, were on Monday suspended for a week for “unruly behavior” that took place as the House passed two controversial agriculture sector related bills on Sunday.

The government moved a motion for their suspension for “bringing disrepute” to the House for the rest of the monsoon session of Parliament.The motion was approved by the House through a voice vote amid protests from opposition leaders. TMC’s Dola Sen, Sanjay Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress leaders Rajeev Satav, Ripun Bora and Syed Nasir Hussain and KK Ragesh and Elamaram Kareem of the CPI(M) were among those who were suspended.

The Rajya Sabha on Sunday passed the two contentious farm bills by voice vote as the House witnessed chaotic scenes after some slogan-shouting opposition members lead by the Trinamool Congress climbed on to the chairperson’s podium demanding a discussion.

The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, was passed by the upper house. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020, part of the broader farm liberalisation plan, could not be taken up.