NEW DELHI: Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for a break on Friday, concluding the first phase of the Budget Session, and will reconvene on March 9 for the second leg scheduled to run till April 2.
The session had commenced on January 28 with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
In the Lok Sabha, after an initial adjournment, the House met at 12 noon, during which several Ministers laid papers related to their Ministries. Presiding Officer Sandhya Ray then adjourned the House for the recess.
Earlier in the day, Sandhya Ray made an obituary reference to former MP Bhagwan Dass Rathor, who passed away on January 21. Members observed silence as a mark of respect.
During Question Hour, Union Health Minister J P Nadda attempted to respond to a query on deaths linked to codeine-based cough syrup consumption but could not complete his reply due to protests by Opposition members. Legislators from the Indian National Congress, All India Trinamool Congress and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam trooped into the Well of the House and raised slogans. Despite appeals from the Chair to maintain order, disruptions continued, leading to adjournment till noon.
Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha also adjourned for the break and will reassemble on March 9. Proceedings in the Upper House ran smoothly during Zero Hour and Question Hour. When the House met at 11 AM, members laid papers on the table.
Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan read out a message from President Droupadi Murmu, stating that she had received the expression of thanks from members for her address to both Houses on January 28. The House then took up Zero Hour, during which members from various parties raised issues of urgent public importance. (Agencies)
