The Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm. The House witnessed repeated adjournments over different issues. As soon as the House met, Samajwadi Party members shouted slogans protesting reservations in promotions for SCs and STs in government jobs.

SP members trooped into the well shouting slogans. Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the House first till 11.30 AM. When the House met after the first adjournment, AIADMK members sought the attention of the Chair demanding incentives for cable networks in Tamil Nadu. The SP members also continued sloganeering.

The Speaker adjourned the House till noon. When the House met after the second adjournment, few Congress members joined the SP members on the issue, demanding quota for SCs and STs in promotions. In the din, the Chair adjourned the House till 2 pm.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla has said that the controversial clause relating to the Annual Confidential Report has been dropped from the Constitution Amendment Bill providing for Reservation in Promotions to the SCs and STs in government jobs.

Speaking to reporters outside
Parliament, he expressed confidence that the Bill will be passed with requisite majority in the Rajya Sabha. The Minister said that merit and efficiency will also be considered while giving promotions to the SC and ST candidates.

Mr. Shukla said that the promotion quota is confined to only 22 percent of the total number of posts and would not harm anyone.