First part of the Lok Sabha proceeding was adjourned till March 10

New Delhi, Feb 13: Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned on Thursday till March 10, bringing the first part of the Budget Session to a close with a productivity rate of 112%, the news agencies reported.

Ahead of adjournment, there was a massive uproar in both Houses over the tabling of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, with Opposition members alleging that their dissent notes were omitted.

The issue sparked heated protests in Parliament, with Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mallikarjun Kharge calling the report “anti-democratic” in the Rajya Sabha, citing the alleged rejection of the Opposition’s dissenting views.

Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 PM following protests over the allocation of the Khavda energy project to the Adani Group. Opposition members accused the government of relaxing national security protocols near the Pakistan border to facilitate the project.

Despite disruptions, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Income Tax Bill 2025, with Opposition parties opposing its introduction. She urged Speaker Om Birla to refer the Bill to a Select Committee of the Lok Sabha.

Speaker Om Birla announced that Lok Sabha will reconvene on March 10, marking the start of the second phase of the Budget Session, which will continue until April 4.

“The debate during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address lasted 17 hours and 23 minutes, with 173 MPs participating. Meanwhile, 170 members took part in budget discussions, which continued for 16 hours and 13 minutes,” Birla stated.

With the adjournment, the first phase of the Budget Session concluded amid sharp political exchanges, highlighting tensions between the government and the Opposition over crucial legislative matters.

(With inputs from PTI)