Parliament on Friday passed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, with the Lok Sabha approving the legislation after it had cleared the Rajya Sabha earlier on Monday.
The Bill seeks to amend the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006, with the objective of addressing payment delays to MSMEs and simplifying the dispute resolution mechanism.
Both Houses of Parliament, however, witnessed repeated disruptions by the Opposition, which demanded a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the alleged police action against students protesting on July 20.
In the Lok Sabha, disruptions continued on the final day of the third week of the Monsoon Session. When the House reassembled at noon after its first adjournment, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi moved the Amendment Bill for consideration and passage. The Bill was passed amid the din.
After the legislation was approved, Presiding Officer Dilip Saikia attempted to continue the proceedings but was unable to do so because of persistent sloganeering by Opposition members.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Opposition’s conduct, saying Union Home Minister Amit Shah regularly attends Parliament during the session and remains present in the House till late at night.
Earlier in the day, when the Lok Sabha met at 11 a.m., Speaker Om Birla paid tributes to the freedom fighters and martyrs of the Quit India Movement. Marking the 84th anniversary of the movement, he recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s historic “Do or Die” call and described the movement as an enduring symbol of national unity, courage, truth and non-violence.
The House also paid tribute to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and to the freedom fighters and martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice for India’s independence.
The Rajya Sabha also witnessed repeated disruptions over several issues, including the alleged police action against students protesting over the NEET issue. When the House reassembled at noon after its first adjournment, Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan proceeded with Question Hour amid the Opposition’s protests.
Amid the din, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw attempted to reply to a question on the installation of the Kavach train protection system and railway signalling infrastructure but was unable to complete his response. As the pandemonium continued, the Chairman adjourned the House for the day. Both Houses will now meet again at 11 a.m. on Monday.
Earlier, when the Rajya Sabha convened at 11 a.m., members paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and the freedom fighters and martyrs who laid down their lives for India’s independence. The House also observed silence in their honour.
