New Delhi: Taking a jibe at the Centre, Shashi Tharoor, Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT said the government does not want to speak in the Lower House on Covid management, vaccine policy, and hike in fuel prices. He pointed out that the government has not mentioned 'Pegasus' in this week's agenda items.
As per reports, the Congress leader also demanded a Supreme Court judge monitored probe into the Pegasus snooping row. He also indicated that the Opposition parties would continue to disrupt the Houses till the Chairman agrees to discuss the issue.
Reports also said Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Technology with 32 members is likely to meet on July 28. A notification issued by Lok Sabha Secretariat stated members would discuss "Citizens data security and privacy."
Also read: In protest of farm laws, Rahul Gandhi drives tractor to Parliament
Both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have been witnessing stormy sessions since its commencement. MPs ventured into the Well of the House today holding placards stating 'Big Brother is Watching.' Union Minister for IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw in a suo moto address had said earlier in both Houses that the Pegasus row is an attempt to malign Indian democracy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech was disrupted while introducing new Ministers in the House.
The row that has been stirring Indian politics erupted after an international media consortium reported that over 300 verified mobile phone numbers could have been enlisted as targets for snooping via Pegasus software. The list includes two ministers, over 40 journalists. three opposition leaders as well as many businesspersons and activists. Pegasus is a spyware developed by NSO Group, Israeli firm.
