The Lok Sabha is scheduled to consider the Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill and Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022 for passing on the second day of the Winter Session of Parliament which kicked off on Wednesday. The Rajya Sabha will discuss a draft law that amends the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
Day 1 of the Winter Session was business as usual for Parliament as opposed to a turbulent Monsoon Session. While two Bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha, proceedings commenced in the Rajya Sabha with MPs welcoming the new Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The government plans to introduce a total of 16 new Bills during the session which concludes on December 29, as per notified schedules.
Explained | What’s on agenda for the 2022 Winter Session of Parliament?
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Questions raised about Indians detained or taken abroad illegally
Harbhajan Singh asks a question about regulation of unregistered travel agencies in Parliament, says he is satisfied with the answer of the Minister laid on the table. “One of the ablest bowlers is satisfied by the batsman,” Chair jokes.
Question is raised about the issue of Indians illegally transported to Thailand, and V Murleedharan MoS External Affairs, says that several have been brought back.
MP Fauzia Khan says that Siyasat has reported that over 4000 Indians are languishing in prisons of Middle East countries, mainly due to offences under the Kafala system. She asks what the Government will do to tackle this issue.
Mr. V Murleedharan says that all efforts are being taken for their release through legal means in those countries.
MoS Culture fields questions about India’s cultural heritage, says 229 artifacts brought back so far.
Sujeet Kumar, BJD MP asks about establishing a National Heritage Protection policy. Government should consider creating a database to document ancient centres in India, he says.
Minister of State for Culture Meenakshi Lekhi responds that this work is under progress, saying that 4 lakh and above pieces have been documented in Odisha and 8 lakhs overall.
She also responds to question about artifacts in musuems abroad, saying that 229 have been brought back in recent years.
What measures taken to prevent flooding in Odisha: BJD MP
Dr. Sasmit Patra. BJD MP, asks a question about Odisha’s saline embankment to prevent flooding due to rise in seawater levels.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Earth Sciences mentions the launch of two Central schemes which will help to reduce erosion and disaster management, including a fund. He mentions a 75-day ocean clean-up initiative and says that the government is also researching ocean resources.
Measures taken in other areas are also being taken in Odisha, he says.
Sloganeering as Congress raises Indo-China border dispute
Zero Hour is underway in the Lok Sabha. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury speaks on reports of hightened Chinese activity along the border with India. The MP, however, is not allowed to raise the issue. Later, a few members of the Opposition were seen staging a walkout from the Lower House.
Speaker refuses to admit suspension of business notice
Speaker Om Birla has refused to admit notices to suspend business. The notices were earlier submitted by the Opposition over the Maharashtra-Karnataka row. The Speaker had refused to admit such notices on the first working day of Parliament also.
Question Hour underway in Rajya Sabha
The first question pertains to layoffs in the IT industry, from CPI(M) MP A.A Rahim. He says that the industry is side-stepping the law by asking employees to resign voluntarily.
Minister of Labour and Employment Bhupendar Yadav says that there was no kind of forceful layoffs.
Chair welcomes Speakers, Members of Zimbabwe’s Parliament
The Chairman welcomes Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and members of the parliamentary delegation of Zimbabwe on a visit to India.
They are seated in a special box in the Parliament. He wishes them a happy and fruitful stay and conveys the House’s best wishes to the members of Zimbabwe’s Parliament and the people of Zimbabwe.
Set up separate Public Services Commission for Puducherry: BJP MP
S. Selvaganabathy, BJP MP from Puducherry pointed out that Puducherry does not have a public service commission. Group A and Group B vacancies such as those in the department of health, medical officers, professors, and vice-principals are only filled through Union Public Service Commission
Selection is done at the national level, and Puducherry has fewer employment opportunities, he says.
He highlights that language is also a barrier for those who come from outside. For example, vice-principals of schools are not conversant with the local language, Tamil.
He concludes by requesting the concerned minister to consider setting up a separate Public Services Commission for Puducherry.
Increase pension to Rs. 9000: CPI(M) MP from Kerala
Elamaram Kareem CPI(M) MP from Kerala raises the issue of pensions in Kerala. He says that after the decision of govt and the EPFO, the minimum pension has been set at Rs. 1000. But of 7 million pensioners, 3 million are getting an amount less than Rs. 1000, he says. He asks that the minimum pension should be increased to Rs. 9000. Universal coverage of the EPFO for all sectors should also be achieved, he says.
Opposition gives Suspension of Business notice over Maharashtra-Karnataka row
The Nationalist Congress Party and Congress have submitted a Suspension of Business notice in the Upper House to discuss alleged outrageous remarks by the Maharashtra Governor. The notice was moved by the two parties under Rule 267.
Section 267 notices moved by members to suspend business of the house
Chair mentions that he has received Section 267 from members, discusses rule at length. He says that the notices do not mention which rule must be suspended.
He says there will be ‘structured discussion’ of the matters raised by members if they follow the required procedure.
Lok Sabha begins with Question Hour
Proceedings of the Lok Sabha on the second working day of Winter Session have resumed. As per notified schedule, Question Hour is underway in the Lower House.
Rajya Sabha session commences
The Rajya Sabha commences its proceedings for the day, presentation and laying of reports under progress.
This includes statements from parliamentary standing committees related to labour, information techonology.
Bills for consideration and passing in Rajya Sabha
The Upper House will further consider the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2022 which was moved by Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on the first working day of Parliament.
The second Bill on legislative agenda is the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022. Union Power and Renewable Energy Minister Shri R. K. Singh will move that the Bill is taken into consideration.
Legislative list of business in Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha will consider the Anti- Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019, which was moved by External Affairs Minister on Wednesday. Union Minsiter Amit Shah, meanwhile, will move a Bill to amend the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002.
Opposition not allowed to speak in Parliament, alleges Rahul Gandhi
On Wednesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that Opposition members were not allowed to raise issues in Parliament. He also accused the BJP and the RSS of suppressing institutions meant to defend democracy. “India is a democratic country and separate institutions work to defend and protect democracy. These institutions include Assemblies, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, judiciary, media…. but the BJP and the RSS have suppressed all these,” Rahul Gandhi said as he addressed a gathering during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan. Mr. Gandhi also took a dig at the Lok Sabha Speaker. “The Speaker is from Rajasthan and Lok Sabha TV likes his face too much. They keep showing his face for 24 hours, whereas whatever we say is heard by none,” the Congress leader said .The Congress leader is likely to skip the Winter Session due to the yatra.