Amid protest by opposition members in Lok Sabha over the new farm laws, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said today that the government is ready for debate inside and outside the parliament on the issue.
Members of the opposition were on their feet as the House met for the day over the issue and forced two adjournments. When the House reassembled at 5 pm after the first adjournment, members of Congress, DMK, BSP, AAP, and TMC resorted to sloganeering over the new farm laws against which farmer unions are protesting on Delhi borders.
Amid the din, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said half the discussion would have been over if the opposition members had begun it.
"If members are ready to discuss the laws and issues related to farmers, the government is ready for debate inside and outside parliament. Had you started discussing and debating, half of the discussion would have completed by now," he said.
He asked opposition members to let the parliament function for sake of the poor. "Parliament has been convened to discuss various issues related to farmers, villages and poor people," he said.
"I would reiterate that the option of discussion with farmers is still open," he said amid sloganeering.
Speaker Om Birla asked members to take their seats and not shout slogans.
Parliamentary Affairs minister Pralhad Joshi spoke with Mr Tomar who then made the remarks. As the din continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till 7 pm.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Both Houses Adjourned Amid Chaos Opinion: Book Review | The Election That Defied Explanations BJP To Send Notices To MPs Absent For "One Nation, One Election" Bill 11 Dead, Many Critical In Jaipur Fire As 2 Trucks Collide Outside Petrol Pump 52 kg Gold, Rs 10 Crore Cash Found In Abandoned Innova In Bhopal Jungle Atul Subhash's Mother Goes To Top Court For 4-Year-Old Grandson's Custody "Lineage Of Those Who Desecrated Temples Will Be Destroyed": Yogi Adityanath Fact Check: Girl Harassed Inside Delhi Bus? No, Video Is Scripted Explained: Why Democrats Are Calling Elon Musk "President Musk" Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.