February 13, 2019:

The Rafale fighter jet deal signed in 2016 was 2.86 per cent cheaper than the UPA's deal in 2007, revealed Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its report tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

The much-awaited CAG report on the Rafale defence deal was tabled in the Upper House, even as Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other leaders protest outside Parliament.

The protesters could be seen throwing paper planes with pictures of PM Modi. Former PM Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi were also present.

Ahead of the crucial session, Congress held its Parliamentary Party meet where UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi slammed the Modi Govt over its philosophy of "bluff, bluster & intimidation".

The much-awaited CAG report on the Rafale defence deal, the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and the Triple Talaq Bill are set to come up in the Rajya Sabha today as BJP-led Government makes a final push to pass them on the last day of the Budget session.

While the two bills have generated much heat inside and outside Parliament, the report on the fighter jet planes has led to confrontations between the saffron party and the united Opposition, especially the Congress.

Rajya Sabha proceedings were disrupted a day earlier following protests by the Samajwadi Party and other opposition parties over alleged stopping of SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav at Lucknow airport to prevent him from visiting Allahabad.

The trouble started in the first half after as many as 15 members had made Zero Hour mention on matters of public importance. Samajwadi Party members were up on their feet trying to raise the issue but Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu ordered that nothing would go on record.

Naidu said he cannot allow them to raise the issue as they have not given notice. SP members said they have received information that Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav was stopped at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow by police in a bid to prevent him from visiting Allahabad to attend an oath-taking ceremony of a student leader at Allahabad University.

Meanwhile, the government introduced two bills — the International Financial Services Center Authority Bill 2019 and Cinematography (amendment) Bill 2019.

International Financial Services Center Authority Bill 2019 was moved by Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla. The Cinematography (amendment) bill 2019 was moved by Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

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