LS adjourned till 4 pm over social-distancing norms

Lok Sabha was adjourned till 4 pm on Sunday amid a demand by the Congress members that the House proceedings should not take place till Rajya Sabha galleries are cleared of the agitating members of the Upper House.

Due to the physical-distancing norms in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, some members of Lok Sabha have been allocated seats in Rajya Sabha. Opposition members are on a dharna in Rajya Sabha to protest the farm bills passed by the Upper House earlier in the day. Leader of the Congress Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said since Lok Sabha members sit in the chambers of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to ensure social distancing due to COVID-19, the House should not function as the Lok Sabha members are unable to sit in the Rajya Sabha chamber due to an ongoing dharna by the opposition members of the Upper House.

Speaker Om Birla said the visitors gallery is empty and the Lok Sabha members, who have been allotted seats in Rajya Sabha, can occupy the visitors gallery in the Lower House.

He further said even if one Lok Sabha member is unable to attend the proceedings, he will adjourn the House, but at around 3.15 pm, decided to adjourn the House till 4 pm, following a persistent demand by the Congress MPs. 

(Image Credits:PTI)