The Parliament resumed proceedings for the day at 11 a.m.
The Rajya Sabha commenced with its usual laying of papers and reports but quickly devolved into chaos as the chair disallowed Suspension of Business notices submitted by seven members of the House. Zero Hour saw multiple brief adjournments, but the House returned to calm during Question Hour.
After lunch, the Lok Sabha is set to take up Bills to modify the lists of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the States of Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh. The Lower House is also set to consider the Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill. Rajya Sabha is scheduled to hold a discussion on the serious effects of global warming and the need for remedial steps to tackle it.
Wednesday’s session saw uproar in Parliament as the Opposition reiterated their demand for a discussion on the border clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Yangtse, Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh. When they were not allowed, members of leading Opposition parties staged walkouts but business continued in both Houses. The Lok Sabha cleared the demand for supplementary grants, the Rajya Sabha passed the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
The session is scheduled to conclude on December 29.
Explained | What’s on agenda for the 2022 Winter Session of Parliament?
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Imperative to address Maoist insurgency as well: Trinamool MP Sougata Roy
During the discussion on the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022, MP from Dum Dum (West Bengal) Sougata Roy stated that it was imperative that the Govt address Maoist insurgency and win over the tribal people.
Separately, he noted that notwithstanding the fifth schedule which mandates permission from Gram Sabha for acquiring land in a village, multi-national companies embark into their regions, snatch their lands for minerals (such as Bauxite), among other reasons. He stated this is of particular concerns to tribals and the government must address this to combat “the burning flame” (Maoist insurgency).
The Trinamool MP had previously suggested that instead of bringing “piecemeal” bills one by one, there should be a consolidated list entailing inclusion of multiple groups from several states.
Climate should be a non-partisan issue: John Brittas
CPI(M) member John Brittas
The CPI(M) MP from Kerala says the issue of climate should be beyond the scope of the nation or the States. We should not be setting the agenda by saying that we have a solution for everything. As a nation, we should be very clear that we are paying for the “greed” of humans, especially the “developed countries and capitalists”.
BJP member lauds India’s progress in solar energy sector
Uttar Pradesh MP Sudhanshu Trivedi cites that India has become the third leading country in terms of solar cell capacity and the second in terms of water heating through solar energy. He also mentions that the headquarters of the International Solar Alliance was opened in Gurugram, India, under the Prime Minister’s leadership. India has the world’s first village that runs fully on solar energy, which is Gujarat’s Motera.
Also read: Explained | What is International Solar Alliance?
More than 3.7 lakh central govt pensioners submitted life certificate through face authentication tech: Centre
Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh informed that over 3.7 lakh central government pensioners submitted their life certificates through face authentication technology till December 8. It is mandatory for all central government pensioners to submit a life certificate each year for uninterrupted disbursement of their pensions The Centre launched face authentication technology in November 2021 for the submission of life certificates. – PTI
BJD MP suggests pathways to mitigate climate impact
Odisha member Dr. Amar Patnaik suggests ways to handle climate challenges-
- We have to move from security to resilience
- Move from mitigation to adaptbility
- Move from relief to preparedness
- From local thinking to global thinking- we have to not only look at green pathways inside our country but help those countries around us to find green pathways through multilateral mechanisms like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
- From government to private and civil society efforts and encourage lifesyle changes
House reconvenes its discussion on The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022
The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 to include Narikoravan and Kurivikkaran communities into the list in respect of Tamil Nadu.
MP from Godda (Jharkhand) Nishikant Dubey observed that it is imperative to note that Scheduled Castes have been confined to their states or regions. He explained, referring to a report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee of 1969, that people of a certain Scheduled Caste migrating to some other state will not be deemed the same provided the caste is not included in the migrated state’s list. He apprised the house of the committee’s observations that the individual may continue to face hardships emanating from practices as untouchability with no necessary improvement in their economic and social status owing to the migration.
Further, with respect to conversion to another religion, the BJP MP observed that the committee had recommended that in such situations, other than a tribal religion, the person may not be deemed to be a member of the Scheduled Tribe.
TMC’s Jawhar Sircar raises issues of depleting mangrove cover and frequent heatwaves
Mangroves: One of the most immediate effects of climate change, the West Bengal member points out, is rising sea levels, which will impact coastal States the most. “We have been haring of projections of apocalypse for the last 20-25 years.” He cites the Sundarbans as an example of how nature controls the sea. Citing annual cylones, he says the only reason Bengal is saved from the invasion of the sea is the mangrove plantations. “We have pleaded (to the Centre) again and again throughout this year that we need to replant mangrove saplings, there was no reply,” the Trinamool MP remarks.
Heatwaves: The member mentions how the “super-heat” from April this year impacted the wheat crop, which got “parched and shrivelled up”. The procurement of wheat was about 5% less, he says. The member states that the heatwave was followed by a delayed monsoon, which impacted the paddy growing season.
Congress MP Amee Yagnik raises the issue of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) released by refrigeration sectorR
The Gujarat MP points out that when refrigeration gasses like freon and refron are manufactured, they spill over into the land. There have been instances where such gasses have reached the land surface and penetrated into water levels, these have an effect on cattle, vegetation, and humans, respectively. She calls for proper monitoring of such industrial pollutants and the modernisation of our pollution monitoring systems.
Proceedings resume in the lower house. Chair N.K. Premachandran is taking up matters under Rule 377.
DMK’s Tiruchi Siva says global warming should bring an actual outcome
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva
| Photo Credit:
SansadTV
The Tamil Nadu member says if the goal of cutting emissions has to be met, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has to coordinate with other ministries, pointing out how the use of fertilisers in the agriculture sector generates nitrous oxide and there is a need to return to organic farming.
Upper House resumes after lunch, takes up short duration discussion on serious effects of global warming and remedial steps
Lower House adjourns for an hour
Proceedings will resume in the Lok Sabha at 2.20 p.m.
House adjourned till 2 p.m.
A calm Question Hour concludes, and the House adjourns for lunch
Will Bali Jatra receive the National Maritime Heritage Festival tag: MP Dr. Sasmit Patra
Will the Ministry of Culture make a National Maritime Heritage Festival list for festivals like Bali Jatra in Cuttack, Odisha, and others across the county, asks Dr. Sasmit Patra. Similarly, Dr.L Hanumanthaiah, INC MP from Karnataka, suggests that historic festivals like the Hampi festival in Karnataka and other similar festivals be nationally recognised.
Meenakshi Lekhi, MoS Culture, highlights that Durga Puja received World Heritage Status and that the government was instrumental in achieving this. She says that the government continues to make such efforts every couple of years
NCP MP Fauzia Khan asks if there will be a National Maritime Heritage Complex in Maharashtra like in Lothal, Gujarat. The Minister replies that Lothal is the most ancient manmade port in India, and the two are incomparable. The Central government is encouraging the State government t to take up these issues, she says.
A question is also posed about a plan to declare Jallikattu a national heritage festival of India, or alternatively a preserved tradition under Biodiversity Act. The Minister says that proposals like this will be taken into consideration based on merit.
Lok Sabha | Reply to starred question
Centre on plan to revive the Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Expressway project
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways informed the Lok Sabha that the Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Expressway project will be revived with a modified plan. “The total length of the two-tier elevated highway is 20.565 km and it has been divided into four packages with a total estimated cost of Rs 5,611.70 crore.”
The ministry added that bids for the project have been invited and it is targeted for an award by March 2023.
Graded Response Action Plan applied to Delhi: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav
Questions are asked about Delhi air quality and air pollution. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav outlines the steps taken to tackle air pollution, including the banning of diesel generators, encouragement of electric vehicle use, and the banning of open air burning of garbage. He also says that the Graded Response Action Plan has been applied to Delhi, where measures kick into place automatically.
Atomic energy discussion in the House
In his reply to questions pertaining to the safety of atomic power plants and development of atomic energy, Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh says that the plants are very well protected and even material is disposed off carefully, being buried 30 feet under the ground. The plants are protected not only from radiation but also from tsunamis, he says.
He also mentioned that we have the Indian Neutrino Institute coming up in Tamil Nadu. He points out that in 2016, an initiative was undertaken called Atal Initiative Mission. Five information centres for Atomic Energy, where they are planning to churn out 22 startups in the next 5 years, have also been launched.
The minister also informs the House that we have the largest Thorium reserves in the world, and we have a plant called Kamini which is only operating on Thorium.
Uproar in Lok Sabha over hooch tragedy in Bihar
The treasury benches attacked the Opposition over the hooch tragedy in Bihar’s Chapra. BJP MP Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal hit out at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and demanded action against the coalition government and police officials allegedly involved in the sale of spurious liquor.
The incident has triggered political unrest with the BJP calling the liquor ban in the state a ‘sham’.
House resumes with Question Hour, pendency of cases under discussion
The House proceeds with a calm Question Hour after a turbulent start to the day’s proceedings, with Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh back in the chair. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now in the Upper House.
Replying to a question about a roadmap to reduce pendency of cases, Minister of Law and Justice Kiran Rijuju says that the number of pending cases is reaching 5 crores. We are not being able to work according to the public’s sentiment, he says. He states that unless we have a new framework in place for the appointment of judges, the vacancy of judges cannot be solved, he says.
Speaker dismisses notice for adjournment motion on LAC clash
Speaker Om Birla has once again rejected an adjournment motion notice moved by the Congress on the issue related to the India-China LAC clash.
Heated exchanges between treasury and Opposition benches; Congress walks out
Petrol prices in India are perhaps the lowest, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday. He was replying to a question by Congress MP K Muraleedharan on the hike in petrol prices. A heated exchange followed between the treasury and Opposition benches.
Question Hour has concluded. The Opposition, led by Congress party, have walked out of the House. Opposition MPs said they were not satisfied with the reply of the Minister on petrol price hike.
House proceedings resume amid intense chaos
The House resumes proceedings at 11.50 a.m now with Bhubaneswar Kalita presiding. Zero Hour matters are being raised by members, but there is intense din in the chamber. Members congregate in well of the House.
The House adjourned till 12 noon.
Rajya Sabha adjourned again
Rajya Sabha was once again adjourned following a ruckus over the hooch tragedy in Bihar. The Chair requested the members to allow Zero Hour as proceedings resumed, but the House was adjourned for 15 minutes after an uproar.
Proceedings will resume at 11.50 a.m.
House adjourned for 15 minutes due to turmoil
The chair says that he will proceed with matters on the list of business only. Opposition members protest loudly and engage in sloganeering.
House is adjourned for 15 minutes, till 11.33 a.m.
Hold members responsible for erroneous statements: Piyush Goyal
Leader of the House and Union Minister Piyush Goyal says that members have alleged a certain number of political actions which are erroneous. A member has spoken about this outside and posted on social media, he says. He urges the chair to “examine the record and hold the members responsible for their erroneous statements.”
Anti-encroachment drive in Punjab: Congress’ Ravneet Singh asks Centre to rehabilitate families
On Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh’s question on the recent anti-encroachment drive in Punjab’s Jalandhar, Union Housing and Urban Development minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, “I am not going to take shelter under the argument that this is a state subject. I endorse his statement. You have no right to demolish anyone’s home. There are norms which have to be followed. And on humanitarian grounds, people who are without a shelter should be provided one and they should be rehabilitated.”
The Jalandhar Improvement Trust had carried out the drive in which several houses built illegally on public land were demolished after the 50 families living in them lost the legal battle, as per the news agency PTI.
Notices for Suspension of Business
7 notices under Section 267 for various issues, including interference of the government in the higher judiciary, use of ED for investigation and other matters.
The notices do not mention which rules need to be suspended, the chair says, and disallows them.
MP Derek O’Brien raises a point of order and mentions 3 notices which were accepted by the Chairman. He says that members want to invoke Section 29, which allows for the day’s list of business to be changed.
House resumes proceedings at 11 a.m
Rajya Sabha commences proceedings, with Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh Narayan presiding. Papers are laid on the table, followed by reports.
Lok Sabha reconvenes
Proceedings have resumed in the Lower House with Question Hour.
Congress MP’s notice on India-China border clash
Congress MP Manish Tewari has given an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha, asking for a detailed discussion on the India-China border clash along the LAC in Arunachal.
What is the Rajya Sabha taking up today?
The House is expected to resume with the usual laying of papers, reports and statements about the status of implementation of recommendations from Parliamentary Standing Committees.
Post Question Hour, the House is expected to engage in a short duration discussion about serious effects of global warming and the need for measures to tackle it, spearheaded by MPs Tiruchi Siva, Pramod Tiwari and Sandosh Kumar P.
What’s on the agenda for the Lok Sabha?
The House will commence with Question Hour, followed by the laying of papers, reports and statements on the table. The Standing Committee on Defence will present its report on the assessment of welfare measures available to war widows/families in armed forces’.
MPs Rajesh Verma and Chunni Lal Sahu are expected to move that a Rajya Sabha member be appointed to the Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes (2022-2023).
Post matters under Rule 377, the House is set to take up The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022, followed by The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022, both moved by Union Tribal Minister Arjun Munda. The Bills seek to revise the ST lists in Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh
Finally, the House will consider the Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019. The Bill seeks to formulate a law to deal with piracy in the international waters. Its objective is to enact a domestic anti-maritime piracy legislation in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).