Lok Sabha proceedings a washout : Uproar over farm laws

New Delhi: Lok Sabha proceedings on Day 6 of the Budget Session were a virtual washout on Friday as relentless protest by Opposition members against the Centre's three farm laws continued for another day.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned first till 6 pm after Opposition members disrupted the proceedings demanding repeal of the laws and shouted slogans from the Well of the House.

Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the farmers are being misled against the farm laws and asked the Opposition members to clarify the specific issues in them.

"I have spent 2 months asking Kisan Unions the problem in farm laws and I did not get any answer there, how are the laws negatively impacting the farmers no one has still told me," Tomar said as his speech invoked strong reactions from the Opposition. He concluded his speech by asserting that the three farm bills are an "important step" in ensuring the welfare of farmers.

Congress MP Pratap Singh Bajwa said that along with depriving the farmers of the essential water and electricity supplies, protestors have "barbed wire fences around them, resembling a Berlin Wall."

These things are shameful for the world's largest democracy," he added. Expressing concern over the situation at Delhi borders, Bahujan Samaj Party MP Satish Mishra said the cutting of water and electricity supply at protest sites is a human rights violation. Similarly, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said there have been attempts to defame the farmers' protests by the Centre.