Ruckus erupted as both Houses assembled on Tuesday morning. The Lok Sabha was adjourned minutes after it reconvened as the members of the Opposition persisted with their demand for a discussion on various issues including the situation between India and China along the border.
The Rajya Sabha was in an uproar over Mallikarjun Kharge’s statements during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Mr. Kharge had questioned if any BJP leaders had died in service of the country. On today’s agenda are the Constitution (SC and ST) Orders (Second Amendment) Bill and the Repealing and Amending Bill in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha will consider the two Appropriation Bills and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022.
The Winter Session of Parliament began on December 7 and will conclude on December 29. So far, the clash between India and China in Arunachal Pradesh has been in focus in Parliament. On Monday, the Rajya Sabha witnessed chaotic scenes over the decision of the Chairman to reject the suspension of business notices on the India-China border situation. The Lok Sabha passed the Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill and took up the Bills to modify the ST lists in Chhattisgarh and Karnataka.
Explained | What’s on agenda for the 2022 Winter Session of Parliament?
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John Brittas talks on impact of demonetisation
CPI(M) MP from Kerala John Brittas in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament
| Photo Credit:
Sansad TV
The CPI(M) member says the Supreme Court has finally taken up the matter of demonetisation for adjudication and the Centre has submitted an “alibi” in Court that it is only a matter of “academic interest”.
“Billions of lives were ruined, devastated. How can the Government submit before the Supreme Court that this is just a matter of academic interest?,” the Kerala MP asks.
Jagdeep Dhankhar says he has received requests about students wanted to attend Parliament proceedings
“I have got requests from several educational institutions, students are volunteering that we wish to attend proceedings of the House,” Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar informs.
“I would greatly appreciate that also, when we have professors and experienced people speaking here, it would be a great idea to have their students also in the gallery,” Mr. Dhankhar remarks.
The Chairman says he is trying to devise a mechanism that school and college students who see the House be able to share their impressions on a daily basis with SansadTV.
Manoj K. Jha says the neither the farmer nor the soldier is safe
The RJD MP from Bihar, while talking about the Appropriation Bills, speaks about a banner he saw of India’s G20 Presidency which read: “Mother of democracy hosts G20”. The member says that this Mother (referring to India) is not in good health right now, neither her children- the farmers and the soldiers are safe.
Farmers, poor people focus in the Bill: BJP MP Arun Singh
Arun Singh says that in the Bills, provisions have been made for farmers and poor people, indicating that these groups are important to Prime Minister Modi. Many new bank accounts have been opened, especially for farmers, he says. Fertilizer factories were shutting down earlier, but now work has either started or about to start. Even if the Russia-Ukraine war is happening, fertilizer prices were not increased by even one rupee, he says.
There has been lesser inflation and increase in food prices in India as compared to developed countries. This is because Prime Minister Modi focused on infrastructure development rather than consumption, unlike other countries, he states.
SAD’s Harsimrat Kaur Badal attacks AAP, Congress on Punjab drug issue
Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal led the discussion on the problem of drug abuse. In her speech, the MP urged the Centre to take the matter seriously as she launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party, which is in power in Punjab, and the Congress. “Punjab is a burning and smoking volcano. On the brink of a civil war if it is not controlled. The govt is only interested in looting Punjab and spending it to make Kejriwal and his government shine across the nation,” Ms. Badal said.
She added that strong action needs to be taken to control the menace which she termed as narco-terrorism, saying it has spread across the country.
Upper House resumes, Appropriation Bills 4 and 5 taken up for discussion
The Rajya Sabha resumes at 2 p.m.
Appropriation Bills 4 and 5 are taken up for discussion. INC MP Dr. Amee Yajnik asks that MNREGA and gender budgeting be paid more attention and funding decided accordingly. In order to ensure that rural women get a boost, MNREGA needs to planned properly, she says.
Highlighting that dependence on MNREGA increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Yajnik says that there was a n89.7 lakh unmet demand for work under MNREGA.
The second point raised by her is that of food security. She points out that India is ranked 107 out 121 countries and highlights that child wasting and undernourishment rates are high in the nation.
Proceedings resume in the Lower House
MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal begins discussion on the the problem of drug abuse in the country. Three MPs have called the attention of the Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) on the issue and steps taken by the Centre.
Pre-session lunch concludes, Lok Sabha adjourned
During Zero Hour, MPs raised issues such as Bihar hooch tragedy, alleged religious conversion and change in IRDAI regulations. The House was adjourned to meet again at 2 p.m.
House adjourns for lunch break
The House will reconvene at 2 p.m.
Farmers not the centre of politics: Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
Replying to questions about shortage of fertilizers, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya says “Don’t make farmers the centre of politics.”
States can check the dashboard to see what the availability of fertilizers in the state is, the Minister says, pointing out that the ministry has made arrangements for this.
Getting fertilizers for farmers is not a matter of politics for us, it is a matter of demand, he says.
Zero Hour underway in Lok Sabha
Govt moves to refer Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill to Joint Committee
Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved that the Bill to amend the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 be referred to a Joint Committee of the Houses. Twenty-one members will be part of the committee.
Question Hour underway in Upper House
Question Hour commences with Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh presiding
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury raises AIIMS cyber attack
Demanding answers from the Centre on the recent cyber attack on AIIMS, Congress Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, “There was a massive data leak following a cyber attack on the AIIMS hospital. We have learnt that this was connected to China and Hong Kong.” In response, MoS Home Affairs Ajay Misra informed the House that remedial measures are under consideration and an investigation is underway.
MP Dola Sen, opposition members walk out of RS, accuse NHRC of selectively visiting states
TMC MP Dola Sen says it is unfortunate that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is visiting Bihar and goes to Bengal, but does not visit Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. She alleges that the NHRC only visits opposition ruled states for investigations while skipping BJP-governed Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
Ms. Sen protests this and stages a walkout of the TMC from the House. Other opposition parties also follow suit.- PTI
Easy to obtain acid, attacks should be prevented: MP Fauzia Khan
MP Fauzia Khan speaks about the dangers of acid attacks and asks for regulation of e-commerce websites selling acid.
“All it takes is a bit of acid to transform a face and body,” she says. She calls it a “heinous crime” and points out that most acid attacks are against young women of marriageable age who refuse to enter into a marriage or relationship, or those who withdraw from a relationship.
There is a high prevalence of illegal sale of acid, she says, adding that while there are rules, thee are problems in implementation.
Ms. Khan brings up the December 14 case of a young girl attacked by acid near Dwarka in Delhi. She says the acid-like substance used was obtained on Flipkart. She highlights that it is cheap and easy to find hydrochloric acid on e-commerce websites.
Chair refuses to admit Section 267 notices, discusses the rule
The Chair refuses to admit notices under section 267 and reads through a notice discussing the rule in detail. He says he will proceed with the business of the House. Members continue to protest. The Chair asks MP Manoj K. Jha to see him in his chamber.
Lok Sabha reconvenes, Question Hour underway
After a brief adjournment, the Lok Sabha has resumed proceedings. As per listed business of the day, Question Hour is underway.
House in uproar over statement by Mallikarjun Kharge
The House is in an uproar over Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement at a rally in Rajasthan, saying that Congress leaders sacrificing their lives for the country and questioning whether BJP leaders did so.
The Chair points out that the people outside are disillusioned with the behaviour of the house. He asks members to submit the document regarding the statement over the course of the day’s business. The House continues to protest. “Even the remarks of the chair which are wholesome are not digestible,” Mr. Dhankar says.
Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge says that what he said during Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan’s Alwar was outside the House. “What I said was politically outside the House, not inside. There is no need to discuss that here. Secondly, I can still say that they had no role in the freedom struggle”
Mr. Kharge says that if he repeats what he said, it will not go down well. The Congress party always talks about bringing the country together, he says. “If I repeat what I said outside, it’ll get difficult for them. ‘Maafi maangne waale log’ are asking people who fought the freedom struggle to apologise”
“I said Indira Gandhi & Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed themselves. Who among you gave your life for unity of this country?” he asks.
Leader of Opposition Piyush Goyal questions his words and asks what Congress did in Jammu & Kashmir. – With ANI inputs
Speaker adjourns Lok Sabha
Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House for around 30 minutes amid chaos in the House. The Opposition members wanted the permission to raise point of order, but weren’t allowed by the Speaker, which resulted in sloganeering even as Question Hour was underway.
PT Usha added to Vice Chairman panel in RS
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar announces that nominated member PT Usha is now part of the panel of Vice Chairman in Upper House. This is the first time a nominated member has been made part of this panel.
Proceedings resume in Rajya Sabha
Proceedings resume, chaos in Lok Sabha
What’s on the table at the Rajya Sabha?
The House shall commence with the laying of papers and reports from various Parliamentary Standing Committees, followed by statements by ministers regarding the implementation of recommendations pertaining to health and family welfare and the department of revenue under the finance ministry.
This would be followed by Question Hour at noon.
Legislative business on the table for today is:
1. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will move that The Appropriation (No.5) Bill, 2022, to authorise payment and appropriation of certain further sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the financial year 2022-2023, as passed by Lok Sabha, be taken up for consideration and return.
2. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will move that The Appropriation (No.4) Bill, 2022, to provide for the authorization of appropriation of moneys out of the Consolidated Fund of India to meet the amounts spent on certain services during the financial year ended on the 31st day of March, 2020, in excess of the amounts granted for those services and for that year, as passed by Lok Sabha, be taken up for consideration and return.
3. Union Tribal Affaris Minister Arjun Munda will move that the Bill further to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in the State of Tamil Nadu, as passed by Lok Sabha, be taken into consideration.
BJP parliamentary party meeting underway
A meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Party was held today morning. The meeting was attended by PM Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP national president JP Nadda.