Opposition continues to disrupt Parliament

New Delhi: Even as noisy protests by Opposition members led by Congress washed out proceedings completely in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, the Lok Sabha managed to pass two bills before adjourning for the day.

The proceedings were adjourned amid sparring between members from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the issue of proposal to build a dam on the Cauvery River.

While members from Congress were demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Rafale deal, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka entered the well holding placards over the Cauvery issue. TDP MPs demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh and setting up of a steel plant in the state.

While Rajya Sabha was adjourned within minutes of assembling by chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, the Lok Sabha witnessed repeated adjournments before it finally got adjourned at 3.15 pm after passing the two bills.

Thursday was the seventh working day of the Winter session which saw disruptions and adjournments over the Rafale jet seal, special status for Andhra Pradesh and protests over the proposed construction of a dam on the Cauvery river.

However, amidst the uproar, the two bills which were passed were — the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 and the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

To strengthen the rights of consumers and providing a mechanism for redressal of their complaints regarding defects in goods and deficiency in services, is the main aim of the Consumer Protection Bill 2018, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

It will replace the   Consumer Protection Act, 1986 and will now go to the Rajya Sabha for passage.

Consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the legislation had not been amended since last three decades and needed changes for strengthening the rights of the consumers.

The bill, among other things, proposes setting up of the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and forums at the District, State and National levels for adjudicating consumer complaints.

It will have the power to set up a Central Consumer Protection Authority to promote, protect and enforce consumer rights as a class.