RS Chairman warns against displaying placards, trooping into well; House adjourned till 2 pm

Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan warned MPs against entering the Well and displaying placards during protests, urging cooperation to maintain order. Despite Opposition sloganeering, Question Hour continued with Nitin Gadkari addressing highway projects and Sudha Murthy raising concerns over rising road accidents

New Delhi: As the Rajya Sabha resumed proceedings on Wednesday after a brief adjournment following the Opposition’s protest, Chairman CP Radhakrishnan made two clear observations at the outset. He told members that no one is allowed to enter the Well of the House and that placards are not permitted as part of protests that disrupt the proceedings.

“My request to all the members is that you should cooperate with the Chair and never try to enter the Well of the House and never try to show the placards. These two things you have to follow. If any member is not following these two instructions, I will not be able to give them (those who do the above act) any chance (to speak), and I will be forced to take action. Kindly don’t do these two things. This is my humble request,” the Chairman urged the members.

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Amid continuous Opposition sloganeering demanding that the Home Minister come to the House (“Grih Mantri Sadan Mein Aao”), the Chairman allowed Question Hour to proceed.

During Question Hour, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari responded to questions on National Highway projects. Nominated member Sudha Murthy raised the issue of the rising number of road accidents.

“We have beautiful roads, but the number of accidents has increased. This is not because of the roads, but because drivers do not drive properly,” she said, while seeking details on the procedures for issuing driving licences in a manner that could help reduce accidents on national highways.

Responding amid the protests, Gadkari said, “The most important aspect is the human behaviour.” He stated that the government is taking several initiatives to improve driver training and promote better road discipline. The Chairman’s firm stand on maintaining order and the exchange on road safety marked the early part of the day’s proceedings in the Upper House. The Chairman, after taking a few questions, adjourned the House till 2 pm amid sloganeering from Opposition members.