News Analysis India

Tag: Monsoon session of Parliament

  • Demand for debate can’t be silenced, says Kharge

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  The Opposition on Thursday said that they cannot be intimidated into silence on the Pegasus and farmers’ issues and their united stand would not change in the face of attempts to crush their issues by threat, fear or pressure and would continue to fight.

    On the Rajya Sabha Chairman considering a complaint by Parliament’s woman security officer against a TMC MP for allegedly heckling her after being suspended for a day, Leader of Opposition in the House, Mallikarjun Kharge said that the suspended MPs did nothing wrong and were only showing placards.

    “The BJP doesn’t have tolerance. Suspension of six TMC members was wrong. They did nothing wrong and placards have been used earlier also. If attempts are made to crush and muzzle our issues by targeting us, using threats, fear, the Congress and united Opposition will not budge and will keep fighting,” said Kharge.

    Kharge said the Centre is blaming the Opposition for disruptions in the House and saying that they are not ready for discussion. “We are ready for discussion right now and let’s start it, but the government has not yet reached out to the Opposition and no notice has been sent for any meeting.”

    He cited past instances where Rule 267 discussions were allowed in Rajya Sabha and questioned why the government was escaping the Pegasus debate when several countries had ordered probes. “Disruption in Parliament is over the Pegasus issue. It’s an issue which impinges on national security and citizen freedom and privacy. Press, army, and judges have been named as potential targets. Why is the government running away?”

    The Leader of Opposition asked who has called a meeting. “Has the Leader of the House called anyone? The government is saying the Opposition doesn’t want to speak on farmers’ issues, inflation and people’s issues. This is not true. Precedent is there of discussions and yet they are not allowing a debate on Pegasus.”

  • Opposition puts onus on govt to smoothly run Parliament

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  As the blame game continues over disruptions in Parliament, the Opposition on Thursday tried to turn the table on BJP by quoting late saffron leaders Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj to make their point that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure smooth functioning of the House.

    The monsoon session has so far seen a united Opposition taking on the treasury benches over Pegasus spyware, leading to disruptions in both Houses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the conduct of the Opposition is an insult to the Constitution, democracy and the people.

    The Opposition leaders are now targeting the BJP government, quoting what former Union ministers Jaitley and Swaraj had said on the floor during UPA II, when their party was in the Opposition.   The Opposition leaders from Congress, NCP and others even shared on social media video clips and statements made by the two late BJP leaders to make their point.

    Congress chief whip in Rajya Sabha, Jairam Ramesh quoted an August 24, 2012 statement of Jaitley: “It is not that we have decided no work will be done (in the Parliament). What we are doing (obstructing Parliament) is very important work itself.” He also shared Swaraj’s September 8, 2012 statement: “Not allowing Parliament to function is also a form of democracy, like any other form.” Manickam Tagore, Congress Lok Sabha MP, also quoted Jaitley where the former Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha was justifying protests.   

    He cited January 30, 2011 comments of Jaitley: “Parliament’s job is to conduct discussions. But many times Parliament is used to ignore issues and in such situations, obstruction of Parliament is in the favour of democracy. Therefore parliamentary obstruction is not undemocratic. Tagore quoted another Jaitley comment from Jaitley’s remarks on August 26, 2012, which said, “There are occasions when obstruction in Parliament brings greater benefits to the country. Our strategy does not permit us to allow the government to use Parliament (for debate) without being held accountable.”

    Joining the ranks, NCP Rajya Sabha MP Majeed Memon questioned why the government did not concede to the just demand of Opposition to have a full fledged debate on Pegasus snooping when Supreme Court calls upon the Centre to come forward and answer questions raised in petitions.

    “It is the government’s job to run the Parliament and not of the Opposition’. Cried Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj, the BJP leaders, when they sat in Opposition. Have the rules changed now?” he questioned. Another Opposition MP mentioned another Swaraj statement from August, 2012: “We had to stall Parliament to expose the government and its corruption.”

  • Lok Sabha adjourned for the day; two bills introduced amid Opposition ruckus

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Thursday amid continuous disruption by Opposition members over the Pegasus spying issue and three farm laws.

    After repeated adjournments when the House met at 5 pm, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman rose to introduce the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

    Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary said bills were being passed in the House without a debate at an average time of seven minutes a bill.

    He claimed that bringing a supplementary list of business at the last minute was not correct.

    RSP member N K Premchandran supported Chowdhary.

    Later, the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021, was introduced by a voice vote amid slogan shouting by Opposition members.

    The bill seeks to amend the Income Tax Act of 1961 and the Finance Act of 2012.

    Rama Devi, who was in in the Chair, then adjourned the proceedings for the day.

    Earlier, a bill to set up a central university in the union territory of Ladakh was also introduced.

  • Rajya Sabha passes bill to amend Scheduled Tribe list relating to Arunachal Pradesh

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which seeks to amend the constitutional list of Scheduled Tribes as recommended by Arunachal Pradesh.

    The bill was passed by voice vote amid protest by the opposition over issues of Pegasus, agri laws and others.

    Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda said, “This bill will justice to tribals. Please support and approve the bill.”

    The bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha by Munda on August 2, 2021 At present, there are 18 communities with their synonyms appearing in the illustrative list of Scheduled Tribes in respect of the state of Arunachal Pradesh.

    ALSO READ | Congress raises issue of ministers not laying officials papers in Rajya Sabha

    On the basis of recommendations of the state of Arunachal Pradesh, the bill provides for modifying Part-XVIII of the Schedule to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, relating to state of Arunachal Pradesh.

    It provides for deletion of ‘Abor’ (tribe) in serial No.1, as it is the same as ‘Adi’ in serial No.16.

    Secondly, it proposed to replace ‘Tai Khamti’ instead of ‘Khampti’ at serial No.6 of the list.

    It also provides for inclusion of ‘Mishmi-Kaman (Miju Mishmi)’, ‘Idu (Mishmi)’ and ‘Taraon (Digaru Mishmi)’ in serial No.8 in lieu of ‘Mishmi, Idu, Taroan’ in the list.

    It provides for inclusion of ‘Monpa’, ‘Memba’, ‘Sartang’, ‘Sajolang (Miji)’ in serial No.9 in lieu of ‘Momba’ in the list.

    ALSO READ | 4,046 applications of Hindus for citizenship still pending: Centre to Rajya Sabha

    It also provides for inclusion of ‘Nocte’, ‘Tangsa’, ‘Tutsa’, ‘Wancho’ in lieu of ‘Any Naga Tribes’ in serial No.10 of the the list.

    The amendment in the list of Scheduled Tribes relating to the state of Arunachal Pradesh will entail no additional recurring expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India on account of benefits likely to be provided to persons belonging to the communities proposed in the Bill.

    This ministry is already funding for welfare of 10.45 crores Scheduled Tribes population (Census, 2011).

    Further, the Scheduled Tribes are also eligible for benefits under the Scheduled Tribes Component (STC) of schemes under the central government and state governments.

    Banda Prakash (TRS), M Thambidurai (AIADMK), K Somaprasad (CPI-M), Fauzia Khan (NCP), Manoj Jha (RJD) and S K Gupta (AAP) spoke briefly on the bill and supported it.

  • Congress raises issue of ministers not laying officials papers in Rajya Sabha

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram on Thursday raised the issue of ministers not being present in Rajya Sabha for laying of official listed papers.

    Chidambaram raised the issue when Parliamentary Affairs Minister V Muraleedharan was called to lay official papers on behalf of six of his ministerial colleagues.

    “We can understand that the parliamentary minister occasionally laying a paper on behalf of his colleagues who are unable to attend the House for some reason.

    But every day we find the parliamentary affairs minister lays the papers for half a dozen ministers.

    “Those half a dozen ministers don’t respect RS. Every day it is happening, How can you do it,” he asked.

    ALSO READ | Rajya Sabha adjourned twice in pre-noon session

    Deputy Chairman Harivansh said the matter was raised even on Wednesday and Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had stated that the parliamentary affairs minister has been allowed to lay papers mentioned against the names of other ministers because of the Covid situation.

    The practice started in the last session when working of the House was curtailed and MPs were seated in the lobbies as well as in Lok Sabha to allow for social distancing.

    However, the House has reverted to its normal functioning hours and all members and ministers are present in the House now.

    On Wednesday, Anand Sharma of Congress had stated that “the rules clearly say that the papers will be laid by the concerned minister.

    Only when specific permission is taken, another colleague or the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs shall lay the papers”.

    ALSO READ | 20 bills passed in monsoon session without debate

    He said those ministers who are present in the House should not be given this luxury of not laying the papers.

    “This is disrespecting the House,” he had said.

    Naidu had responded to him saying the Chair allowed the parliamentary affairs minister to lay the papers mentioned against the names of other ministers because of the Covid situation.

    “That has been announced,” he said.

    When other Congress MPs tried to object to the continuing of the practice despite House resuming normal functioning, Naidu said, “You are not supposed to comment on this. Your leader has brought it to my notice. Leave it there. Don’t stretch it too much. It has been already mentioned in the bulletin also.”

  • Opposition shoots off joint letter demanding snooping discussion

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Opposition on Wednesday toughened its stand over discussion on Pegasus and said the government’s attempts to divide their unity has failed.In a joint statement issued by the Opposition and signed by floor leaders of 14 parties, they said they stand firm and united on their demand for a discussion on Pegasus issue in both the Houses, to be replied by the home minister, as this has national security implications.The Opposition has also conveyed that discussions on farmers’ agitations arising from the three anti-farmer laws should follow the discussion on Pegasus. AAP, which skipped the Opposition meeting Tuesday, also signed the statement.

    Urging the Centre to respect Parliamentary democracy, the Opposition leaders said: “It is unfortunate that the government has unleashed a misleading campaign to malign the combined Opposition and blame it for the continued disruptions in the Parliament. The responsibility for the deadlock lies squarely at the doorsteps of the government, which remains arrogant and obdurate and refuses to accept the Opposition’s demand for an informed debate in both the Houses.”Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu held meetings with leaders from the Opposition and treasury benches to end the stalemate and said all issues can be taken up for discussion after agreement between the two sides.

    6 TMC MPs suspended

    As uproar continued in the Upper House, Naidu ordered 6 TMC MPs to withdraw for the day, for they entered the well of the House and disobeyed the Chair. He said their conduct was disorderly in the House. The MPs include Dola Sen, Nadimul Haque, Abir Ranjan Biswas, Shanta Chhetri, Arpita Ghosh and Mausam Noor. Another TMC MP, Santanu Sen has already been suspended for the entire monsoon session for snatching and tearing a statement from IT minister Ashwini   hand on Pegasus.In a high decibel drama, four of the six suspended MPs tried to enter Rajya Sabha after the House was adjourned for the day, but were stopped by security officers. Allegedly, there wsa a minor scuffle. Sources said a security official was injured and that action is likely to be taken against the MPs.  

    No change in CAA, informs minister

    The Centre is not amending the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), to grant nationality to members of communities other than those mentioned in the draft, the government informed Parliament on Wednesday. Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai said no proposal to amend the act is under consideration.

  • 20 bills passed in monsoon session without debate

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The monsoon session has seen 20 bills passed in both Houses of Parliament, either without discussion or minimal, limited to treasury bench MPs speaking on the legislation. The Rajya Sabha has passed nine bills since the House convened on July 19 and clocked nearly 17 minutes per bill for discussion and passing, as the Centre decided to push the legislative business amidst protests by the Opposition seeking discussion on Pegasus.

    The Lok Sabha passed 11 bills, each on an average taking about eight minutes. Most of these bills were passed without discussion. In fact, Lok Sabha has not taken up a single issue for discussion.Expressing concern over the practice, Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Last week, the BJP government ramrodded 10 bills of national importance in 97 minutes. Parliament was condescendingly granted 9.7 minutes to reflect, deliberate on and pass each bill. The PM is demeaning the democratic and parliamentary process.”

    When the bills came up for discussion, several Opposition MPs’ speeches in the Upper House were cut short as they demanded discussion on the Pegasus snooping issue, farm laws and price rise. As the Centre went ahead with passing bills amid the din, some Opposition MPs demanded division (voting), but were told by the presiding officers of respective Houses that it won’t be allowed because Opposition members are protesting in the well and the House is not in order.“The Centre has bulldozed through bills without discussion and debate. The entire country is witness to the way laws are being passed,” said RJD MP Manoj K Jha.

    The Lower House hasn’t been able to take up discussions on situations emerging out of the Covid-19 pandemic, which had been agreed upon in the beginning by the treasury and Opposition benches.Opposition MPs stay put in the well of the House, surrounding the Chair with placards, demanding discussion on Pegasus. The government has stuck to the strategy of passing as many bills as possible, which are essentially replacements for ordinances. If not passed, the Centre will have to repeat the process with Presidential promulgations and again come before Parliament.  

  • Congress’ Bittu, SAD’s Harsimrat have verbal spat in Parliament over farm bills

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Amid the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, a heated argument broke out between Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu and SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday when the former accused the latter of getting the farm laws enacted while she was a minister in the Union Cabinet, and added that she ‘doing drama’ over the laws and showing ‘fake support’ to the farmers’ cause.

    The argument took place in Parliament today when SAD MPs were protesting against the new farm laws while Bittu was speaking to reporters.

    Bittu alleged that Badal resigned from the Cabinet after getting the laws enacted and repeatedly accused her of doing drama over the news laws.

    As Bittu continued to level allegations against Badal, the latter was seen arguing with him for a short while and then continuing with her protest.

    Speaking to reporters during the argument, Badal said, “Ask him (Bittu) where were Rahul Gandhi, Sonai Gandhi when these bills were passed. The Congress party by staging a walkout helped in the passage of those bills. Where were you when the bills were passed? Now you are spreading lies and maligning us?”

    Earlier, on Saturday, Badal along with members of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) met President Ram Nath Kovind to ask the Centre to discuss the issue of farm laws and Pegasus in the Parliament.

    Farmers have been protesting at the borders of Delhi since November 26 last year against the newly enacted farm laws — Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance, and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

    The opposition parties have been forcing adjournments in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha over several issues including the new farm laws since the beginning of this session.

    The Monsoon session of the Parliament, which started on July 19th, will conclude on August 13. (ANI)

  • Don’t make Parliament fish market, says Naqvi on Derek’s papri chaat remark

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has slammed TMC MP Derek O’Brien hit out at Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O’Brien for making derogatory comments at the Centre for passing bills in Parliament without discussion.

    Naqvi then accused O’Brien of conspiring to malign Parliament’s dignity and quipped that he can have fish curry, if he’s allergic to ‘papri chaat’.

    “If he is allergic to ‘chaat-papri’, he can have fish curry. But don’t turn Parliament into a fish market. Unfortunately, the manner in which work is being done with conspiracy to malign Parliament’s dignity, was never seen before,” said Deputy Leader of the Rajya Sabha on O’Brien’s tweet.

    On Monday, O’Brien had hit out at the Modi government for rushing through bills in Parliament. “In the first 10 days, Modi-Shah rushed through and passed 12 bills at an average time of UNDER SEVEN MINUTES per Bill. Passing legislation or making papri chaat?” he had tweeted.

    Commenting on Derek’s statement that he will shave his head if Union Home Minister Amit shah comes in parliament tomorrow, Naqvi said, “You have reached to Kosi River by cursing Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly then get your head shave there only. This is nothing just a way to do politics and disturb the proceedings of the House”.

    Amid the continuous ruckus created by the Opposition over the ‘Pegasus Project’ issue, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Centre have cleared many bills.

    The two Houses have been witnessing protests from the Opposition since the start of the monsoon session on July 19. 

  • Nirmala Sitharaman to table three Bills in Rajya Sabha today

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Amid the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to table three Bills in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

    Sitharaman will move for passage the Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill 2020, Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2021, and General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Amendment Bill, 2021

    The Bills aim to amend the Limited Liability Partnership Act 2008, Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Act 1961 and General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act 1972 respectively.

    The Bill to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 which aims to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in relation to the state of Arunachal Pradesh will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda today.

    Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia will be tabling the Bill to amend the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008.

    The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was passed by the Lok Sabha on July 28 and by the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday following a brief discussion amid ruckus created by Opposition parties over the Pegasus snooping row and other issues.

    Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday urged both the Central government and the Opposition leaders to collectively resolve the present stalemate in the Parliament.

    For the last few days, the business of both the Houses of the Parliament remained majorly disrupted due to the continuous ruckus created by the Opposition over issues including farmers’ protest, Pegasus spyware, COVID-19 and inflation.The Monsoon Session commenced on July 19, 2021, and will continue till August 13, 2021.

    (ANI)