RAJYA SABHA DISCUSSES THE INDIAN PORTS BILL, 2025, AS OPPOSITION WALKS OUT

Opposition walked out in the Rajya Sabha demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar; INDIA bloc parties, meanwhile, are considering an impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

- ► KALIDAS NEWDELHI

Opposition members walked out of the Rajya Sabha, demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. Earlier today (August 18, 2025), the Upper House adjourned till 2 p.m. after Opposition members protested after Deputy Chairman Harivansh refused all notices under Rule 267 demanding a discussion on various issues.

Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, a special discussion on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission to the International Space Station took place.

After a near washout over the Opposition’s demand for a debate on the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls in Bihar — which the government rejected — during the last four sittings of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the government has now listed a “special discussion on India’s first astronaut aboard the International Space Station and the critical role of the space programme for a Viksit Bharat by 2047” in Monday’s (August 18, 2025) Lok Sabha agenda.

AGP member Birendra Prasad Baishya says water connectivity and ports connectivity are the needs of the hour. He says it will be helpful for the environment and farmers. He accuses the Opposition of “making only slogans” for the farmers but when the time comes, they “boycott”.

Water connectivity is important for the northeastern States, he says, similar to road and rail connectivity.

He requests Union Minister to develop more ports on the Brahmaputra river to support agriculture activities.