New Delhi

DMK MP Tiruchi Siva on Monday submitted a notice of breach of privilege against Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, accusing him of sharing details of an interim India–US trade agreement with the media while Parliament was in session.

Raising the matter shortly after the Rajya Sabha convened at 11 am, following the tabling of official papers, Siva said the minister’s remarks outside the House amounted to a violation of parliamentary privilege.

“I have submitted a breach of privilege notice against Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. He gave a media interview regarding a government policy decision when Parliament was in session. This constitutes a breach of the privilege of this House,” Siva said, drawing support from Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge.

Responding to the objection, Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan said the matter would be examined. “He has already made a statement in the House. We will look into it,” the Chairman said.

The issue triggered a brief protest from the Opposition benches as the Chairman proceeded with the Zero Hour proceedings.

On Sunday, Goyal had stated that sufficient safeguards had been built into the interim trade framework with the United States to ensure that the interests of Indian farmers and domestic industries are protected from any sharp surge in imports.

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The commerce minister had also asserted that the proposed agreement would eventually benefit Indian farmers, noting that the country is already exporting agricultural and fisheries products worth around USD 50–55 billion annually.