News Analysis India

Tag: Lok Sabha

  • Rahul attends Lok Sabha, accorded warm welcome by Congress, Opposition MPs on arrival

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was on Monday accorded a warm welcome by Congress and other opposition MPs on his arrival in Parliament after his Lok Sabha membership was restored.

    Rahul reached the Parliament House complex around 12 noon and headed straight to the Mahatma Gandhi statue and paid floral tributes. Congress MPs and those of the opposition INDIA bloc welcomed him at the gate number one of Parliament raised slogans.

    He also attended Lok Sabha proceedings after it resumed at 12 noon but it got adjourned within minutes.

    Rahul Gandhi’s status as the MP from Kerala’s Wayanad was restored after the Lok Sabha secretariat issued a notification in the wake of the Supreme Court staying his conviction in a defamation case on Friday. The Lok Sabha Secretariat issued a notification announcing that his disqualification has been revoked and his membership restored following a Supreme Court order staying his conviction.

    Senior Congress leaders and party workers hailed Gandhi’s reinstatement as a Lok Sabha MP, saying it is a victory for truth and justice.

    The Congress scion also made waves on Social media by changing his Twitter bio to ‘Member of Parliament’ from the earlier “Dis’Qualified MP” description.

    Following his disqualification from the Lok Sabha in March, Gandhi had edited his bio on Twitter to “Dis’Qualified MP.” His Twitter bio now describes him as a member of the Indian National Congress and a Member of Parliament.

    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was on Monday accorded a warm welcome by Congress and other opposition MPs on his arrival in Parliament after his Lok Sabha membership was restored.

    Rahul reached the Parliament House complex around 12 noon and headed straight to the Mahatma Gandhi statue and paid floral tributes. Congress MPs and those of the opposition INDIA bloc welcomed him at the gate number one of Parliament raised slogans.

    He also attended Lok Sabha proceedings after it resumed at 12 noon but it got adjourned within minutes.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Rahul Gandhi’s status as the MP from Kerala’s Wayanad was restored after the Lok Sabha secretariat issued a notification in the wake of the Supreme Court staying his conviction in a defamation case on Friday. The Lok Sabha Secretariat issued a notification announcing that his disqualification has been revoked and his membership restored following a Supreme Court order staying his conviction.

    Senior Congress leaders and party workers hailed Gandhi’s reinstatement as a Lok Sabha MP, saying it is a victory for truth and justice.

    The Congress scion also made waves on Social media by changing his Twitter bio to ‘Member of Parliament’ from the earlier “Dis’Qualified MP” description.

    Following his disqualification from the Lok Sabha in March, Gandhi had edited his bio on Twitter to “Dis’Qualified MP.” His Twitter bio now describes him as a member of the Indian National Congress and a Member of Parliament.

  • Entities violating digital data protection norms to face penalty of up to Rs 250 crore: DPDP bill

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The government on Thursday tabled the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 in the Lok Sabha with an aim to protect the privacy of Indian citizens while proposing a penalty of up to Rs 250 crore on entities for misusing or failing to protect digital data of individuals.

    The bill which comes after six years of the Supreme Court declaring the “Right to Privacy” as a fundamental right has provisions to curb the misuse of individuals’ data by online platforms.

    The judgement passed in August 2017 asked the government to examine and put in place a “robust regime” for data protection in the modern era. While moving the bill, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw rejected suggestions that it was a money bill.

    He said it was a “normal bill”. Various opposition members opposed the bill at the introduction stage, questioning the measure.

    Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and his party colleagues Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor said the issue of the Right to Privacy was involved and the government should not rush with the bill.

    The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill (DPDP) 2023 seeks to exempt the centre and entities notified by it in some special cases related to the interests of sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, maintenance of public order or preventing incitement to any cognizable offence, court orders, research etc.

    This provision is being interpreted by privacy advocates as the Bill granting wider exemptions to the government.

    “The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 a bill to provide for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognises both the right of individuals to protect their personal data and the need to process such personal data for lawful purposes and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto,” the DPDP Bill 2023 said.

    The bill moots the creation of the Data Protection Board of India to handle grievances of individuals around personal data privacy if data fiduciaries or firms using personal data fail to address individuals’ complaints.

    The bill proposes protection for the Centre, the board and its members, on “action taken in good faith”.

    Any person aggrieved by an order or direction made by the Board under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 can appeal before the telecom tribunal TDSAT and thereafter before the apex court.

    “An individual can appeal for compensation for damages caused due to breach of personal data before a civil court,” a government source said.

    Under the proposed bill, a maximum of Rs 250 crore and a minimum Rs 50 crore can be imposed on every instance an entity is found violating the norms proposed under the bill.

    “If the board determines on conclusion of an inquiry that breach of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder by a person is significant, it may, after giving the person an opportunity of being heard, impose such monetary penalty specified in the schedule,” the bill said.

    Provisions under the bill enable the Centre to block access to content in the interest of the general public on getting references in writing from the board.

    Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the bill after it is passed by Parliament, will protect the rights of all citizens, allow the innovation economy to expand and permit the government’s lawful and legitimate access to national security and emergencies like pandemics and earthquakes etc.

    What is the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill ?#DPDPBill introduced in #Parliament is a very significant milestone in PM @narendramodi ji’s vision of Global Standard Cyber Laws for India’s $1T #DigitalEconomy & #IndiaTechade @GoI_MeitY has developed this bill after… pic.twitter.com/a8tHXJl537
    — Rajeev Chandrasekhar

    NEW DELHI: The government on Thursday tabled the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 in the Lok Sabha with an aim to protect the privacy of Indian citizens while proposing a penalty of up to Rs 250 crore on entities for misusing or failing to protect digital data of individuals.

    The bill which comes after six years of the Supreme Court declaring the “Right to Privacy” as a fundamental right has provisions to curb the misuse of individuals’ data by online platforms.

    The judgement passed in August 2017 asked the government to examine and put in place a “robust regime” for data protection in the modern era. While moving the bill, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw rejected suggestions that it was a money bill.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    He said it was a “normal bill”. Various opposition members opposed the bill at the introduction stage, questioning the measure.

    Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and his party colleagues Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor said the issue of the Right to Privacy was involved and the government should not rush with the bill.

    The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill (DPDP) 2023 seeks to exempt the centre and entities notified by it in some special cases related to the interests of sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, maintenance of public order or preventing incitement to any cognizable offence, court orders, research etc.

    This provision is being interpreted by privacy advocates as the Bill granting wider exemptions to the government.

    “The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 a bill to provide for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognises both the right of individuals to protect their personal data and the need to process such personal data for lawful purposes and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto,” the DPDP Bill 2023 said.

    The bill moots the creation of the Data Protection Board of India to handle grievances of individuals around personal data privacy if data fiduciaries or firms using personal data fail to address individuals’ complaints.

    The bill proposes protection for the Centre, the board and its members, on “action taken in good faith”.

    Any person aggrieved by an order or direction made by the Board under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 can appeal before the telecom tribunal TDSAT and thereafter before the apex court.

    “An individual can appeal for compensation for damages caused due to breach of personal data before a civil court,” a government source said.

    Under the proposed bill, a maximum of Rs 250 crore and a minimum Rs 50 crore can be imposed on every instance an entity is found violating the norms proposed under the bill.

    “If the board determines on conclusion of an inquiry that breach of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder by a person is significant, it may, after giving the person an opportunity of being heard, impose such monetary penalty specified in the schedule,” the bill said.

    Provisions under the bill enable the Centre to block access to content in the interest of the general public on getting references in writing from the board.

    Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the bill after it is passed by Parliament, will protect the rights of all citizens, allow the innovation economy to expand and permit the government’s lawful and legitimate access to national security and emergencies like pandemics and earthquakes etc.

    What is the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill ?#DPDPBill introduced in #Parliament is a very significant milestone in PM @narendramodi ji’s vision of Global Standard Cyber Laws for India’s $1T #DigitalEconomy & #IndiaTechade @GoI_MeitY has developed this bill after… pic.twitter.com/a8tHXJl537
    — Rajeev Chandrasekhar

  • Lok Sabha adjourned for day amid protest over Manipur; Cinematograph Amendment Bill passed

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day on Monday following protests by the opposition which has been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on the Manipur issue.

    When the House met at 2 pm, it passed the Cinematograph Amendment Bill, 2023, to curb film piracy.

    The bill has already been passed by the Rajya Sabha. The bill has provisions for up to three-year jail term and a fine of up to five per cent of the production cost of a film for persons making its pirated copies.

    The bill also has provisions to introduce three age-based certifications under the ‘UA’ category, namely ‘UA 7+’, ‘UA 13+’ and ‘UA 16+’, and to empower the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to sanction a film with a separate certificate for its exhibition on television or other media.

    “The film industry is facing a loss of Rs 20,000 crore annually due to piracy. The bill has been brought to stop the loss which occurs due to piracy. The legislation also takes care of the long-standing demand of the film industry,” Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said.

    “Film piracy is like cancer and this bill will try to root it out,” Thakur said.

    He said the certificates issued by the CBFC which are now valid for only 10 years will be valid perpetually after the bill becomes the law.

    The bill also has provisions to allow for a change of category of a film which has received either ‘A’ or ‘S’ certificate to be converted to ‘UA’ certification after making suitable alterations to allow it to be broadcasted on television.

    In a bid to curb film piracy, the bill seeks to introduce new sections in the Cinematograph Act with provisions to prohibit unauthorised recording of films (section 6AA) and their exhibition (section 6AB).

    The stringent new provision 6AA in the bill also prohibits recording of a film or any part thereof with the sole purpose of using the recording in the same device.

    Thakur said the film industry has a soft power and the government will take steps to promote it further by providing all the required facilities. Now Indian content is watched across the globe, from Russia, the US and China to the Middle East countries, he said.

    Earlier, when the House met at 11 am, Speaker Om Birla announced that a parliamentary delegation from Malawi is visiting India and they are watching the proceedings of the House.

    He welcomed the foreign delegation and wished them a pleasant stay in the country.

    As he completed his speech, the opposition members were on their feet demanding a statement from the prime minister on Manipur violence. Soon they came to the well of the House showing placards and raising slogans against the government.

    The speaker initially ignored their protests and continued the Question Hour, which was the scheduled business. Two questions related to the education and finance ministries were taken up for discussion amid sloganeering and protests.

    As the protests continued, the speaker appealed to the opposition members to go back to their seats and take part in the proceedings. With the opposition MPs ignoring his pleas, the speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm after about 15 minutes of business.

    The Manipur violence rocked proceedings in both Houses of Parliament ever since the Monsoon session began on July 20, with the opposition demanding a statement from Prime Minister Modi and a discussion on the situation in the northeastern state.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that the government was ready for a debate on the Manipur issue.

    The speaker also said the opposition can’t decide who would reply to the debate on behalf of the government.

    The opposition subsequently moved a no-confidence motion against the Modi government, apparently aiming to force the prime minister to speak on the Manipur violence in Parliament.

    The Monsson session started a day after a video of two women being paraded naked by a mob on May 4 in a Manipur village went viral, triggering a nationwide outrage. The Manipur Police has arrested several accused who were seen in the video, officials said.

    On July 27, the government decided to hand over the probe into the case of the naked parade of two women to the CBI and filed a petition in the Supreme Court saying the trial of the cases should be conducted outside the state.

    NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day on Monday following protests by the opposition which has been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on the Manipur issue.

    When the House met at 2 pm, it passed the Cinematograph Amendment Bill, 2023, to curb film piracy.

    The bill has already been passed by the Rajya Sabha. The bill has provisions for up to three-year jail term and a fine of up to five per cent of the production cost of a film for persons making its pirated copies.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The bill also has provisions to introduce three age-based certifications under the ‘UA’ category, namely ‘UA 7+’, ‘UA 13+’ and ‘UA 16+’, and to empower the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to sanction a film with a separate certificate for its exhibition on television or other media.

    “The film industry is facing a loss of Rs 20,000 crore annually due to piracy. The bill has been brought to stop the loss which occurs due to piracy. The legislation also takes care of the long-standing demand of the film industry,” Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said.

    “Film piracy is like cancer and this bill will try to root it out,” Thakur said.

    He said the certificates issued by the CBFC which are now valid for only 10 years will be valid perpetually after the bill becomes the law.

    The bill also has provisions to allow for a change of category of a film which has received either ‘A’ or ‘S’ certificate to be converted to ‘UA’ certification after making suitable alterations to allow it to be broadcasted on television.

    In a bid to curb film piracy, the bill seeks to introduce new sections in the Cinematograph Act with provisions to prohibit unauthorised recording of films (section 6AA) and their exhibition (section 6AB).

    The stringent new provision 6AA in the bill also prohibits recording of a film or any part thereof with the sole purpose of using the recording in the same device.

    Thakur said the film industry has a soft power and the government will take steps to promote it further by providing all the required facilities. Now Indian content is watched across the globe, from Russia, the US and China to the Middle East countries, he said.

    Earlier, when the House met at 11 am, Speaker Om Birla announced that a parliamentary delegation from Malawi is visiting India and they are watching the proceedings of the House.

    He welcomed the foreign delegation and wished them a pleasant stay in the country.

    As he completed his speech, the opposition members were on their feet demanding a statement from the prime minister on Manipur violence. Soon they came to the well of the House showing placards and raising slogans against the government.

    The speaker initially ignored their protests and continued the Question Hour, which was the scheduled business. Two questions related to the education and finance ministries were taken up for discussion amid sloganeering and protests.

    As the protests continued, the speaker appealed to the opposition members to go back to their seats and take part in the proceedings. With the opposition MPs ignoring his pleas, the speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm after about 15 minutes of business.

    The Manipur violence rocked proceedings in both Houses of Parliament ever since the Monsoon session began on July 20, with the opposition demanding a statement from Prime Minister Modi and a discussion on the situation in the northeastern state.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that the government was ready for a debate on the Manipur issue.

    The speaker also said the opposition can’t decide who would reply to the debate on behalf of the government.

    The opposition subsequently moved a no-confidence motion against the Modi government, apparently aiming to force the prime minister to speak on the Manipur violence in Parliament.

    The Monsson session started a day after a video of two women being paraded naked by a mob on May 4 in a Manipur village went viral, triggering a nationwide outrage. The Manipur Police has arrested several accused who were seen in the video, officials said.

    On July 27, the government decided to hand over the probe into the case of the naked parade of two women to the CBI and filed a petition in the Supreme Court saying the trial of the cases should be conducted outside the state.

  • Amid Parliament logjam, govt passes crucial bills

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI: A day after moving a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha against the Narendra Modi government, Opposition parties on Thursday stepped up their protest in Parliament over the Manipur violence, creating a ruckus in the Lok Sabha and disrupting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s speech in the Rajya Sabha. 

    Although the Lok Sabha witnessed chaos, the Treasury Bench managed to pass two important bills — the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, which seeks to improve the ease of doing business, and the Repealing and Amending Bill aimed at repealing 65 obsolete laws. The Rajya Sabha passed the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023. 

    Congress Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha Kodikunnil Suresh alleged the government passed the bills without discussion. The Upper House witnessed a heated exchange between Leader of the House Piyush Goyal and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge after Opposition members disrupted Jaishankar’s statement on the country’s achievements on the foreign policy front. 

    Taking a dig at the Opposition members for wearing black dress, Goyal said it reflected their political future. “Your past, present and future is black,” Goyal said to the chagrin of Opposition members. Later, the opposition parties said they would send a 20-member delegation of MPs to Manipur on July 28 and 29 to assess the situation in the state. On Thursday, one person was killed and three others were injured in a fierce gunfight between two groups in Manipur. 

    NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI: A day after moving a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha against the Narendra Modi government, Opposition parties on Thursday stepped up their protest in Parliament over the Manipur violence, creating a ruckus in the Lok Sabha and disrupting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s speech in the Rajya Sabha. 

    Although the Lok Sabha witnessed chaos, the Treasury Bench managed to pass two important bills — the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, which seeks to improve the ease of doing business, and the Repealing and Amending Bill aimed at repealing 65 obsolete laws. The Rajya Sabha passed the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023. 

    Congress Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha Kodikunnil Suresh alleged the government passed the bills without discussion. The Upper House witnessed a heated exchange between Leader of the House Piyush Goyal and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge after Opposition members disrupted Jaishankar’s statement on the country’s achievements on the foreign policy front. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Taking a dig at the Opposition members for wearing black dress, Goyal said it reflected their political future. “Your past, present and future is black,” Goyal said to the chagrin of Opposition members. 
    Later, the opposition parties said they would send a 20-member delegation of MPs to Manipur on July 28 and 29 to assess the situation in the state. On Thursday, one person was killed and three others were injured in a fierce gunfight between two groups in Manipur. 

  • Showdown time as Birla admits no-trust motion

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  The Opposition on Wednesday set the stage for a showdown in the Lok Sabha with Speaker Om Birla admitting a no-confidence motion against the Centre moved by Congress member from Guwahati Gaurav Gogoi. 

    The Opposition is way short of numbers to inflict any damage on the ruling coalition but it hopes to get the optics right ahead of the Lok Sabha elections by coaxing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak on the Manipur situation.

    Birla said the date for the discussion and voting on the motion will be decided after holding talks with leaders of all political parties. As per convention, once admitted the discussion on the motion has to be held within 10 days. 

    However, sources said the government may take up the motion only toward the fag end of the session as it is looking to push through a clutch of legislations first. It has already managed to pass important legislations, such as the Multi-State Cooperatives Societies Bill, the Biological Diversity Bill and the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha. The session will conclude on August 11.

    But leaders of the 26-party Opposition alliance, INDIA, demanded that the Speaker immediately take up the motion for discussion after suspending all other business. “The tradition is that once the motion is accepted by the Speaker, all other business is suspended and discussion is initiated immediately,” Congress member Manish Tewari said, adding that if 100 or more MPs support the motion, then it will be inappropriate to carry out any other business in Parliament.

    In all, there were two no-trust motions, one by the Congress and the other by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which  though is not part of the Opposition alliance. This is the second no-confidence motion since the Modi government came to power in 2014. The first one was in 2018 by the Telugu Desam Party and backed by several other Opposition parties. The NDA defeated it 325-126.

    Congress whip in the Lok Sabha, Manickam Tagore, said the Opposition was forced to move the motion as a last-ditch attempt, as the government had stonewalled their demand for a statement from the PM on Manipur. Another leader said that though the Opposition does not have the numbers, they will win the battle of ‘perception and morality’.

    The NDA had 331 on its side with the BJP alone contributing 303 to the tally in the Lok Sabha. The Opposition bloc has 144 and the BRS nine. Fence-sitters such as the YSRCP and BJD have 22 and 12 members, respectively.

    Shocked and horrified: U.S.The US on Wednesday said it is “shocked and horrified” by the strip-parade video of two women in Manipur and supports the Indian government’s efforts to seek justice for them. “We encourage a peaceful and inclusive resolution to the violence in Manipur,” Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson of the State Department said

    Abandoned houses torched Mobs set ablaze 30 abandoned houses and two buses in two separate incidents in Manipur. A mob of around 2,000 people torched the houses in the India-Myanmar border town of Moreh on Wednesday morning. Four others were also damaged. The houses belonged to Meiteis who left the place after violence broke out on May 3

    NEW DELHI:  The Opposition on Wednesday set the stage for a showdown in the Lok Sabha with Speaker Om Birla admitting a no-confidence motion against the Centre moved by Congress member from Guwahati Gaurav Gogoi. 

    The Opposition is way short of numbers to inflict any damage on the ruling coalition but it hopes to get the optics right ahead of the Lok Sabha elections by coaxing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak on the Manipur situation.

    Birla said the date for the discussion and voting on the motion will be decided after holding talks with leaders of all political parties. As per convention, once admitted the discussion on the motion has to be held within 10 days. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    However, sources said the government may take up the motion only toward the fag end of the session as it is looking to push through a clutch of legislations first. It has already managed to pass important legislations, such as the Multi-State Cooperatives Societies Bill, the Biological Diversity Bill and the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha. The session will conclude on August 11.

    But leaders of the 26-party Opposition alliance, INDIA, demanded that the Speaker immediately take up the motion for discussion after suspending all other business. “The tradition is that once the motion is accepted by the Speaker, all other business is suspended and discussion is initiated immediately,” Congress member Manish Tewari said, adding that if 100 or more MPs support the motion, then it will be inappropriate to carry out any other business in Parliament.

    In all, there were two no-trust motions, one by the Congress and the other by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which  though is not part of the Opposition alliance. This is the second no-confidence motion since the Modi government came to power in 2014. The first one was in 2018 by the Telugu Desam Party and backed by several other Opposition parties. The NDA defeated it 325-126.

    Congress whip in the Lok Sabha, Manickam Tagore, said the Opposition was forced to move the motion as a last-ditch attempt, as the government had stonewalled their demand for a statement from the PM on Manipur. Another leader said that though the Opposition does not have the numbers, they will win the battle of ‘perception and morality’.

    The NDA had 331 on its side with the BJP alone contributing 303 to the tally in the Lok Sabha. The Opposition bloc has 144 and the BRS nine. Fence-sitters such as the YSRCP and BJD have 22 and 12 members, respectively.

    Shocked and horrified: U.S.
    The US on Wednesday said it is “shocked and horrified” by the strip-parade video of two women in Manipur and supports the Indian government’s efforts to seek justice for them. “We encourage a peaceful and inclusive resolution to the violence in Manipur,” Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson of the State Department said

    Abandoned houses torched 
    Mobs set ablaze 30 abandoned houses and two buses in two separate incidents in Manipur. A mob of around 2,000 people torched the houses in the India-Myanmar border town of Moreh on Wednesday morning. Four others were also damaged. The houses belonged to Meiteis who left the place after violence broke out on May 3

  • Six bills introduced in Lok Sabha amid opposition protest over Manipur 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Six bills, including the one to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday amid protests by opposition members over the violence in Manipur.

    Soon after laying of papers, Speaker Om Birla asked Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai to introduce the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

    Manish Tewari of the Congress opposed the introduction of the bill, claiming the House lacked “legislative competence” to do so.

    He said the measure transgresses on the right to privacy and separation of power and suffers from the malady of excessive delegation.

    The bill was later introduced by a voice vote.

    The House then took up the moving of a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government.

    After that, five other bills were introduced amid slogan-shouting by opposition members over the Manipur issue.

    Minister Rai then moved to introduce the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

    The bill was introduced by a voice vote with no opposition member opposing its introduction.

    The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, was also introduced by Rai following a voice vote.

    Hasnain Masoodi of the National Conference opposed the introduction of the measure claiming that the Reorganisation Act is a “constitutionally suspect law”.

    He said the matter is sub judice as the Supreme Court is examining the matter.

    “It is against constitutional propriety to amend an Act which is under judicial scrutiny,” he said.

    Union ministers Virendra Kumar and Arjun Munda then introduced the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023, respectively.

    Union minister Pralhad Joshi introduced the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023.

    Opposing its introduction, N K Premachandran of the Revolutionary Socialist Party said it is against the principle of federalism.

    He said it will adversely affect public sector undertakings as well as the safety and security of the nation.

    He said multi-national corporations will benefit from the amendment bill.

    Joshi said no objection can be raised on the legislative competence of Parliament with regard to amending the mines and minerals law.

    The bill was introduced after a voice vote.

    NEW DELHI: Six bills, including the one to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday amid protests by opposition members over the violence in Manipur.

    Soon after laying of papers, Speaker Om Birla asked Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai to introduce the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

    Manish Tewari of the Congress opposed the introduction of the bill, claiming the House lacked “legislative competence” to do so.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    He said the measure transgresses on the right to privacy and separation of power and suffers from the malady of excessive delegation.

    The bill was later introduced by a voice vote.

    The House then took up the moving of a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government.

    After that, five other bills were introduced amid slogan-shouting by opposition members over the Manipur issue.

    Minister Rai then moved to introduce the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

    The bill was introduced by a voice vote with no opposition member opposing its introduction.

    The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, was also introduced by Rai following a voice vote.

    Hasnain Masoodi of the National Conference opposed the introduction of the measure claiming that the Reorganisation Act is a “constitutionally suspect law”.

    He said the matter is sub judice as the Supreme Court is examining the matter.

    “It is against constitutional propriety to amend an Act which is under judicial scrutiny,” he said.

    Union ministers Virendra Kumar and Arjun Munda then introduced the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023, respectively.

    Union minister Pralhad Joshi introduced the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023.

    Opposing its introduction, N K Premachandran of the Revolutionary Socialist Party said it is against the principle of federalism.

    He said it will adversely affect public sector undertakings as well as the safety and security of the nation.

    He said multi-national corporations will benefit from the amendment bill.

    Joshi said no objection can be raised on the legislative competence of Parliament with regard to amending the mines and minerals law.

    The bill was introduced after a voice vote.

  • Lok Sabha adjourns till 12 noon amid opposition protests on Manipur issue

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon on Wednesday as Opposition parties continued to protest on the Manipur issue.

    The protests began soon after the House paid tributes to soldiers who had died in the Kargil war.

    Opposition members sought to raise the issue of violence in Manipur with some displaying placards during Question Hour.

    Some members were also heard shouting slogans such as ‘We want justice’.

    Speaker Om Birla told the protesting members that all issues can be discussed and urged them to uphold the decorum of the House.

    He also wondered whether the Opposition did not want to discuss the Manipur issue.

    Amid the din, three questions and their supplementaries were taken up during Question Hour that lasted less than 20 minutes.

    As the protests continued, proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon.

    Earlier in the morning, Birla paid tributes to those who died in the Kargil war on the occasion of the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas.

    The House also stood in silence briefly as a mark of respect for the departed souls.

    With the deadlock over the Manipur violence continuing, the 26-member opposition alliance INDIA is planning to submit a notice for a no-confidence motion against the government in Lok Sabha.

    Parliamentary proceedings have been disrupted since the start of the Monsoon session on July 20 as the Opposition has been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur violence.

    Union ministers Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari and Pralhad Joshi were among those present in the House during Question Hour on Wednesday.

    NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon on Wednesday as Opposition parties continued to protest on the Manipur issue.

    The protests began soon after the House paid tributes to soldiers who had died in the Kargil war.

    Opposition members sought to raise the issue of violence in Manipur with some displaying placards during Question Hour.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Some members were also heard shouting slogans such as ‘We want justice’.

    Speaker Om Birla told the protesting members that all issues can be discussed and urged them to uphold the decorum of the House.

    He also wondered whether the Opposition did not want to discuss the Manipur issue.

    Amid the din, three questions and their supplementaries were taken up during Question Hour that lasted less than 20 minutes.

    As the protests continued, proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon.

    Earlier in the morning, Birla paid tributes to those who died in the Kargil war on the occasion of the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas.

    The House also stood in silence briefly as a mark of respect for the departed souls.

    With the deadlock over the Manipur violence continuing, the 26-member opposition alliance INDIA is planning to submit a notice for a no-confidence motion against the government in Lok Sabha.

    Parliamentary proceedings have been disrupted since the start of the Monsoon session on July 20 as the Opposition has been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur violence.

    Union ministers Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari and Pralhad Joshi were among those present in the House during Question Hour on Wednesday.

  • Opposition members continue relay protest in House over Sanjay Singh’s suspension

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The members of the united opposition, INDIA, continued their relay protest on Tuesday demanding the revocation of suspension of Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh from Rajya Sabha. Singh, along with other opposition MPs, has been sitting in protest before the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex after his suspension on Monday.

    The protesting MPs, along with Sanjay Singh, could be seen holding ‘Save Manipur’ placards, with the Opposition insisting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement on Manipur before any discussion on the issue. 

    Trinamool Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev said the Opposition MPs have been taking turns to sit on the dharna.

    Speaking to this newspaper, Dev said that the INDIA allies will continue the sit-in protest until the suspension is revoked.

    “We have made a roster for two-hour turns. We can’t miss the proceedings of the House also. Still, all the members ensure that at least 10 members will be present throughout the day and night,” said Dev. 

    ALSO READ | Opposition front INDIA plans no confidence motion in Lok Sabha

    AAP MP Sanjay Singh with other opposition MPs protest demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on the ongoing crisis in Manipur, at Parliament House complex during the Monsoon session, in New Delhi, Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

    Supriya Sule of NCP, A Raja of DMK, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Manoj Jha of RJD, NK Premachandran of RSP, Gaurav Gogoi (Congress), Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lallan of JDU, and Elamaram Kareem (CPM) and A M Ariff (CPM) were among the leaders who sat in the protest.

    Earlier on Tuesday, the alliance party leaders met at Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s chamber and decided to continue the protest till Singh’s suspension is revoked.

    Singh was suspended from the Upper House for the rest of the monsoon session by chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar for repeatedly ‘violating’ the directives of the chair, while protesting on the Manipur issue. Now the MP cannot attend the rest of the session. 

    “We will continue the protest till the suspension is revoked. We are sitting on a rotational basis. At Kharge’s meeting too, we decided to continue the protest as the government is not making any effort to end the impasse,” said  Rajya Sabha MP Elamaram Kareem.

    ALSO READ | Government is not afraid to discuss Manipur: Home Minister Shah in Lok Sabha

    The decision to hold a day-and-night sit-in protest was taken immediately after Singh’s suspension, said Kareem. “We have met the Rajya Sabha chairman and requested him to revoke the suspension. Even Kharge spoke to the chairman about it. But, no action was taken. The decision to hold a relay protest was taken by leaders of all parties,” said Kareem.

    The opposition’s goal is to keep focus on the Manipur issue, said another leader.

    “All Sanjay Singh was asking was a statement from the PM.  We demand to revoke his suspension. It is time for the PM to speak on the Manipur issue as it’s a constitutional crisis,” said the leader.

    Both Houses of Parliament have not been functioning over the Manipur issue. 

    NEW DELHI: The members of the united opposition, INDIA, continued their relay protest on Tuesday demanding the revocation of suspension of Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh from Rajya Sabha. Singh, along with other opposition MPs, has been sitting in protest before the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex after his suspension on Monday.

    The protesting MPs, along with Sanjay Singh, could be seen holding ‘Save Manipur’ placards, with the Opposition insisting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement on Manipur before any discussion on the issue. 

    Trinamool Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev said the Opposition MPs have been taking turns to sit on the dharna.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Speaking to this newspaper, Dev said that the INDIA allies will continue the sit-in protest until the suspension is revoked.

    “We have made a roster for two-hour turns. We can’t miss the proceedings of the House also. Still, all the members ensure that at least 10 members will be present throughout the day and night,” said Dev. 

    ALSO READ | Opposition front INDIA plans no confidence motion in Lok Sabha

    AAP MP Sanjay Singh with other opposition MPs protest demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on the ongoing crisis in Manipur, at Parliament House complex during the Monsoon session, in New Delhi, Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

    Supriya Sule of NCP, A Raja of DMK, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Manoj Jha of RJD, NK Premachandran of RSP, Gaurav Gogoi (Congress), Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lallan of JDU, and Elamaram Kareem (CPM) and A M Ariff (CPM) were among the leaders who sat in the protest.

    Earlier on Tuesday, the alliance party leaders met at Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s chamber and decided to continue the protest till Singh’s suspension is revoked.

    Singh was suspended from the Upper House for the rest of the monsoon session by chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar for repeatedly ‘violating’ the directives of the chair, while protesting on the Manipur issue. Now the MP cannot attend the rest of the session. 

    “We will continue the protest till the suspension is revoked. We are sitting on a rotational basis. At Kharge’s meeting too, we decided to continue the protest as the government is not making any effort to end the impasse,” said  Rajya Sabha MP Elamaram Kareem.

    ALSO READ | Government is not afraid to discuss Manipur: Home Minister Shah in Lok Sabha

    The decision to hold a day-and-night sit-in protest was taken immediately after Singh’s suspension, said Kareem. “We have met the Rajya Sabha chairman and requested him to revoke the suspension. Even Kharge spoke to the chairman about it. But, no action was taken. The decision to hold a relay protest was taken by leaders of all parties,” said Kareem.

    The opposition’s goal is to keep focus on the Manipur issue, said another leader.

    “All Sanjay Singh was asking was a statement from the PM.  We demand to revoke his suspension. It is time for the PM to speak on the Manipur issue as it’s a constitutional crisis,” said the leader.

    Both Houses of Parliament have not been functioning over the Manipur issue.
     

  • Govt introduces Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav introduced an amendment bill in Lok Sabha on Wednesday that seeks to bring clarity to the country’s forest conservation law and exempt certain categories of lands from its purview to fast-track strategic and security-related projects of national importance.

    Yadav introduced the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, amid slogan shouting by opposition members demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe into the Adani issue.

    The bill was then sent to a joint committee of both the Houses for discussion.

    The committee consists of 19 Lok Sabha members, 10 Rajya Sabha members and two members to be nominated by the Lok Sabha speaker.

    According to the government, the bill seeks to clarify the scope of applicability of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, on various lands.

    It seeks to broaden the horizons of the Act, keeping in view India’s aim to increase forest cover for creation of a carbon sink of additional 2.5-3.0 billion tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030.

    It also proposes to exempt certain categories of lands from the purview of the Act to fast track strategic and security-related projects of national importance, to provide access to small establishments, habitations on the side of public roads and railways, and to encourage plantation on non-forest land.

    The bill proposes to insert a preamble to the Act to encompass the country’s rich tradition of preserving forests, their bio-diversity and tackling climate change challenges within its ambit.

    It provides for terms and conditions including the condition of planting trees to compensate for felling of trees undertaken on the lands while considering the proposed relaxations under the Act.

    It seeks to include more activities for the cause of conservation of forest and wildlife into the array of forestry activities and bring uniformity in the applicability of the provisions of the Act in respect of government and private entities.

    It also empowers the central government to specify, by order, the terms and conditions subject to which any survey, such as, reconnaissance, prospecting, investigation or exploration including seismic survey, shall not be treated as non-forest purpose.

    NEW DELHI: Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav introduced an amendment bill in Lok Sabha on Wednesday that seeks to bring clarity to the country’s forest conservation law and exempt certain categories of lands from its purview to fast-track strategic and security-related projects of national importance.

    Yadav introduced the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, amid slogan shouting by opposition members demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe into the Adani issue.

    The bill was then sent to a joint committee of both the Houses for discussion.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The committee consists of 19 Lok Sabha members, 10 Rajya Sabha members and two members to be nominated by the Lok Sabha speaker.

    According to the government, the bill seeks to clarify the scope of applicability of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, on various lands.

    It seeks to broaden the horizons of the Act, keeping in view India’s aim to increase forest cover for creation of a carbon sink of additional 2.5-3.0 billion tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030.

    It also proposes to exempt certain categories of lands from the purview of the Act to fast track strategic and security-related projects of national importance, to provide access to small establishments, habitations on the side of public roads and railways, and to encourage plantation on non-forest land.

    The bill proposes to insert a preamble to the Act to encompass the country’s rich tradition of preserving forests, their bio-diversity and tackling climate change challenges within its ambit.

    It provides for terms and conditions including the condition of planting trees to compensate for felling of trees undertaken on the lands while considering the proposed relaxations under the Act.

    It seeks to include more activities for the cause of conservation of forest and wildlife into the array of forestry activities and bring uniformity in the applicability of the provisions of the Act in respect of government and private entities.

    It also empowers the central government to specify, by order, the terms and conditions subject to which any survey, such as, reconnaissance, prospecting, investigation or exploration including seismic survey, shall not be treated as non-forest purpose.

  • Lok Sabha passes Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022; adjourns without debate

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022, amid a ruckus in the House with opposition MPs continuing their protest over the Adani issue.

    As MPs re-assembled at 12 pm after the adjournment in the morning, opposition members rushed to the Well of the House and raised slogans demanding a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the Adani issue. Some papers as well as reports were laid on the table of the House amid the din.

    Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav then introduced the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023.

    Amid the loud sloganeering by Opposition members, the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was taken up for consideration and was passed without a debate.

    As the opposition members, several of whom were dressed in black as a mark of protest against the government, continued their sloganeering while holding placards with ‘democracy in danger’ written on them, Rama Devi, who was in the Chair, adjourned the proceedings for the day.

    The House will meet on Monday as members agreed to not hold a sitting on Friday and Thursday being a holiday.

    Earlier, Opposition MPs were on their feet as soon as the House assembled at 11 am, raising slogans and demanding a JPC probe into the Adani issue.

    They displayed placards as some Opposition members trooped into the Well of the House.

    Bhartruhari Mahtab, who was in the Chair at the time, adjourned the House till 12 noon amid the noisy protest.

    The treasury and Opposition benches are at loggerheads with the government over the Adani issue and the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from the lower house.

    Since the start of the second leg of the Budget Session on March 13, Lok Sabha has been witnessing frequent disruptions with Opposition members demanding a JPC probe.

    The Question Hour has been disrupted every day since March 13.

    NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022, amid a ruckus in the House with opposition MPs continuing their protest over the Adani issue.

    As MPs re-assembled at 12 pm after the adjournment in the morning, opposition members rushed to the Well of the House and raised slogans demanding a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the Adani issue. Some papers as well as reports were laid on the table of the House amid the din.

    Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav then introduced the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Amid the loud sloganeering by Opposition members, the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was taken up for consideration and was passed without a debate.

    As the opposition members, several of whom were dressed in black as a mark of protest against the government, continued their sloganeering while holding placards with ‘democracy in danger’ written on them, Rama Devi, who was in the Chair, adjourned the proceedings for the day.

    The House will meet on Monday as members agreed to not hold a sitting on Friday and Thursday being a holiday.

    Earlier, Opposition MPs were on their feet as soon as the House assembled at 11 am, raising slogans and demanding a JPC probe into the Adani issue.

    They displayed placards as some Opposition members trooped into the Well of the House.

    Bhartruhari Mahtab, who was in the Chair at the time, adjourned the House till 12 noon amid the noisy protest.

    The treasury and Opposition benches are at loggerheads with the government over the Adani issue and the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from the lower house.

    Since the start of the second leg of the Budget Session on March 13, Lok Sabha has been witnessing frequent disruptions with Opposition members demanding a JPC probe.

    The Question Hour has been disrupted every day since March 13.