NEW DELHI — Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day on Friday following persistent disruptions and slogan-shouting by Opposition members demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding police action taken against protesters on July 20. Amid the continuous uproar in the Lower House, the Lok Sabha passed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, without a formal debate, clearing the landmark legislation after its earlier approval in the Rajya Sabha. Proceedings in both Houses were subsequently adjourned until August 10.
The legislative session witnessed sharp exchanges between the treasury and Opposition benches over the attendance of senior cabinet ministers. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised concerns in the Upper House, claiming that Rajya Sabha Chairperson C.P. Radhakrishnan had previously directed the Home Minister to appear and deliver a statement regarding the police handling of demonstrations near the Parliament complex. Kharge argued that the absence of the minister showed a lack of respect toward parliamentary directions and disrupted democratic accountability.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly refuted the Opposition’s assertions, clarifying on the record that no official directive had been issued by the Chair demanding the Home Minister’s specific presence. Rijiju emphasised that the Opposition holds no authority to dictate minister attendance or response schedules, noting that the Home Minister remains present within the Parliament complex throughout daily operating hours. The minister further asserted that designated portfolio ministers handle specific legislative business as scheduled, criticizing Opposition members for causing disruptions during proceedings.
Despite the ongoing clamour, the Lok Sabha approved the MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at strengthening administrative frameworks and addressing critical liquidity challenges for small enterprises. The legislation establishes a national digital platform for voluntary MSME registration, rationalises the composition of Facilitation Councils, and mandatorily routes public sector invoice settlements through digital factoring systems. Additionally, the amendment decriminalises minor offences, replaces conviction-based fines with graded administrative penalties, introduces a formal warning for initial infractions, and sets strict timelines for dispute resolution and settlement recoveries.
