Opposition in Rajya Sabha demands statement from Amit Shah on LS security breach
New Delhi (PTI): The Opposition in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday demanded an explanation from Home Minister Amit Shah on the security breach in Lok Sabha and also adjournment of proceedings of the Upper House.
Two intruders jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber earlier in the day and released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans.
When the Upper House reassembled at 2 pm, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar informed the MPs about the security breach in Lok Sabha as some members sought to raise the issue.
"The information to me is that the intruders in Lok Sabha visitors gallery have immediately been apprehended. The parliamentary security service is examining the matter forthwith. We will apprise the members about the result before I rise for the day," Dhankhar said.
Raising the issue of the security breach, Leader of the House Mallikarjun Kharge termed it a "very serious matter".
He said Opposition members have also participated in a tribute to those who laid down their lives for the country.
"We are always ready for the country's unity and security. The sacrifices made by our people our unmatched to yours," he said.
As some opposition members were shouting slogans, Dhankhar asked them not to do so as the House is "not a place to shout slogans".
"We need not monetise every issue politically. It is a security issue," the Rajya Sabha Chairman said.
He observed that the Lok Sabha is functioning at the moment in good environment and transacting legislative business.
Kharge further said: "You allowed the House to function but this is a very serious problem. It is not just a question of the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. The question is how two people managed to intrude in the presence of such a large security apparatus."
To this Dhankhar remarked that the moment he came to know about the incident, the director security was called by him.
"I told him to give me an update. I have shared with the House the update which he gave me at that point of time. It is a matter of concern but let us await full details and the I think we'll be able to reflect," he added.
When Dhankhar sought time to share more details, Kharge said "people are dying and you are talking about giving it time".
However, the sloganeering continued amid the discussion on the consideration and passage of the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 tabled by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, even as Dhankhar requested members to sit down and let the House function.
He appealed to the Leader of Opposition saying he has called the Director Security and they have been apprehended, to which Kharge requested the Upper House to be adjourned and let Home Minister Amit Shah come.
Amid continuous sloganeering, Leader of the Upper House and Union Minister Piyush Goyal said the Opposition should send a message to the nation instead of politicising the matter.
"Rajya Sabha is House of Elders. We should give a message that the country is above all this. We must let the House function. The Congress is indulging in politicisation of the issue which will not be good for the nation. I request the Leader of Opposition. An enquiry is being conducted. Let us wait for its findings and let the House function smoothly," Goyal said.
Dhankhar further said it is an issue where "we should deliberate in all seriousness and in a composed atmosphere".
Leader of the House has said something, he said, and added it is not necessary for everyone to subscribe to it.
Some members from the Opposition later walked out in protest after the demand for adjournment of the House and Shah to come to Rajya Sabha was not met.
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Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
