Budget Session 2022 Live: The proceedings of the Lok Sabha will resume from 11 am on Wednesday after being adjourned late on Tuesday by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
On the second day of the second part of the budget session, the Lok Sabha discussed the demands for grants in the Ministry of Railways. The proceedings of the house were extended till 11 pm. Initiating the debate on Demand for Grants for Railways 2022-23 in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP K Suresh accused the Central government of running the Railways in an inefficient manner and indulging in juggling in allocation of funds.
Expressing concern over huge vacancies in railways, DMK MP Kanimozhi said South Indians do not get jobs and it seems that efforts are being made to keep them away. He demanded the government to clarify how 100 per cent electrification can be achieved by next year if it is 73 per cent at present.
TMC MP Shatabdi Roy stressed on the need to bring down platform ticket prices from Rs 50 to a reasonable level. BSP MP Shyam Singh Yadav alleged that with rising prices and privatization, railways is no longer a common man’s transport. “We had a healthy discussion in the presence of the ruling party and the opposition and to learn new things from the speaker on how to run the House,” Minister of State for Defense Ajay Bhatt said after the proceedings ended late on Tuesday.
The Congress walked out of the Lok Sabha on Tuesday demanding an explanation after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made a statement on the “situation of Ukraine” in the House. After the minister’s statement, the opposition members sought clarification from the minister. BJP member Rajendra Agarwal, who was in the chair, said that no permission for clarification and questions can be given on the minister’s statement. “You know about Rule 372, can’t be allowed,” he said.
The second part of the budget session of Parliament began on March 14 and will end on April 8. The first half of the budget session began on January 31 and ended on February 11.