Rajya Sabha to discuss COVID today, govt to answer queries from 5 pm

All the leaders met Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to demand a discussion on COVID-19

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New Delhi: Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh said the Rajya Sabha said will discuss issues related to COVID-19 on Tuesday (July 20).

All the leaders met Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu demanding a discussion on COVID-19. Following this, Naidu gave his consent to discuss the matter. 

Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh was quoted by news agency ANI saying, "All leaders met with the chairman as they wanted to have a discussion on COVID. Rajya Sabha Chairman has given his consent. It will be discussed at 1 pm."

It was agreed in the meeting that COVID aspects will be discussed for four hours from 1 pm on Tuesday while the Minister of Health and Family Welfare to reply on the matter at 5 pm, said sources.

Following morning disruptions in the Rajya Sabha, the House is likely to resume normal functioning after 1 pm on Tuesday. 

According to the sources, this was facilitated in a meeting between Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal and Opposition leaders Anand Sharma, Jairam Ramesh, Derek O`Brien and Tiruchi Siva. 

Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh and Minister of State Parliamentary Affairs Muraleedharan were also present in the meeting.In the meeting, Naidu stressed on normalcy in the House so that important issues can be discussed orderly.

Sources revealed that Piyush Goyal had earlier held an informal discussion with Opposition leaders seeking their cooperation for the resumption of functioning of the House.

Goyal then met Naidu along with leaders of the Opposition soon after the first adjournment of the House till 12 noon.

Rajya Sabha adjourned for the second time on Tuesday after the Opposition created a ruckus over farmers issues, fuel price hikes and COVID mismanagement.