News Analysis India

Tag: Monsoon session of Parliament

  • Parliament will function if Centre gives date for discussion of issues raised by Opposition: Shiv Sena’s Arvind Sawant

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Terming the Central government as ‘master of giving jumlas’, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant on Monday said that if the Centre gives dates for discussion of issues being raised by the Opposition, then they will allow the Parliament to function and maintain decorum in both the Houses.

    Terming Pegasus as a ‘serious’ issue, Sawant said that the Centre is only giving false statements on holding discussions but is actually not willing to discuss it.

    Recalling that when the BJP was in the Opposition, it did not let the Parliament function for about a month over the 2G and Coal scams, Sawant asked why is the Centre raising questions now over uproar by the Opposition on various issues.

    The Shiv Sena MP while speaking to ANI said, “When the BJP was in the opposition, they did not allow the proceedings of the House to continue for a month demanding investigation and debate on the 2G scam and the coal scam. Why are these people again raising questions on the uproar of the opposition today?”

    “Modi government is a master in giving jumlas. Pegasus is a serious issue. The government is just saying for the sake of saying that the issue will be discussed, but when will it actually be discussed, nobody knows. Today we have given an adjournment motion in both Houses. If the government gives us a date of discussion on the issues we are raising, then we will let the Parliament function and maintain decorum in the Houses,” said Sawant.

    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 discussion on the alleged use of Pegasus spyware to snoop on Journalist, politicians, and other eminent personalities among other issues including farm laws, inflation and fuel price hike.

    Responding to a question on NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Sawant said, “Pawar sahib has met Amit Shah regarding issues concerning the Konkan region and Maharashtra. The coalition government of Maharashtra has completed 2 years. This government will complete 5 years. People only make vague statements. Nothing will get affected due to their statements. This Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government will definitely complete its term.”

    Pawar on Tuesday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. According to sources, sugar co-operatives and disaster management systems were among the two main issues discussed in the meeting. 

  • Rajya Sabha adjourned for day, passes Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Tuesday amid continuous protest by opposition parties over their demand for a discussion on the use of Pegasus spyware, farmers’ agitation against farm reform laws and other issues.

    However, the House passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2021 with a brief discussion amid the ruckus created by opposition parties.

    As soon as the House resumed after lunch at 2 pm, BJP member Bhubaneshwar Kalita in Chair asked Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to move the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

    Soon after, the opposition members started their protest and trooped into the Well of the House and remained there throughout.

    They also continued sloganeering.

    ALSO READ | PM Modi lashes out at opposition members for their conduct in Parliament

    The chair called Amar Patnaik (BJD) to initiate the debate on the bill.

    Thereafter, Banda Prakash (TRS), M Thambidurai, K Ravindra Kumar (TDP) and V Vijaysai Reddy (YSRCP) participated in the discussion on the bill amid continuous protest by opposition members.

    John Brittas (CPI-M) also rose to participate in the debate, but then started taking about issues like snooping, saying that the democracy is in danger.

    After the brief debate by a few members, the bill was moved for passage in the House and it was passed with voice vote amid the din by the opposition.

    Referring to the behaviour of opposition members, Sitharaman said it was unacceptable that they disrupted the members from participating in the debate and surrounded them in a threatening fashion.

    She also expressed her dismay over opposition members throwing pieces of paper on the chair, disrespecting the House.

    The bill seeks to replace the IBC Amendment Ordinance, 2021 promulgated in April which introduced pre-packs as an insolvency resolution mechanism for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with defaults up to Rs 1 crore.

    The Lok Sabha had passed the bill on July 28.

    The proposed amendments will enable the government to notify the threshold of a default not exceeding Rs 1 crore for initiation of the pre-packaged resolution process.

    The government has already prescribed the threshold of Rs 10 lakh for this purpose.

    The bill proposes a new chapter in the IB Code to facilitate the pre-packaged insolvency resolution process for corporate persons that are Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

    As per the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the bill, it seeks to specify a minimum threshold of not more than Rs 1 crore for initiating the pre-packaged insolvency resolution process as well as provisions for disposal of simultaneous applications for initiation of the insolvency resolution process and pre-packaged insolvency resolution process, pending against the same corporate debtor.

    There would be a penalty for fraudulent or malicious initiation of the pre-packaged insolvency resolution process, or with intent to defraud persons, and for fraudulent management of the corporate debtor during the process.

    Further, punishment would be meted out for offences related to the pre-packaged insolvency resolution process.

  • No one arrested for 2020 violence at JNU, says Government in Lok Sabha

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police has not arrested anyone in connection with the 2020 violence at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) even though several people were examined, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

    Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the Delhi Police has reported that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Crime Branch has been constituted to investigate three cases registered at Vasant Kunj (North) police station with regard to the violence on the JNU campus in January, 2020.

    “The investigation conducted includes examination of witnesses; collection and analysis of footages; and examination of identified suspects. As reported by the Delhi Police, no arrest has been made in these cases,” he said, replying to a written question of DMK member Dayanidhi Maran.

  • Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned for second time till 2.30 pm amid opposition uproar

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2.30 pm on Friday, as Opposition members created an uproar over the Pegasus snooping row and other issues.

    When the House re-assembled at 12 noon after the first adjournment for the Question Hour, several Opposition members trooped into the Well, some of them carrying placards, and started raising slogans against the government.

    In the meantime, the House took up a few of the listed questions and the ministers concerned replied to the members’ queries.

    However, as the sloganeering by the Opposition members continued, Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh adjourned the proceedings till 2.30 pm.

    ALSO READ | Monsoon Session of Parliament: Centre tries to reach out, Opposition sticks to stand

    Earlier, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had adjourned the proceedings till 12.00 hours just as the members of the Congress, TMC and other opposition parties stood up to raise the issues they have been pressing for since the start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on July 19.

    Before adjourning the House, Naidu expressed concern over parliamentary dignity and prestige being compromised by MPs by conducts such as whistling and placing placards in front of the ministers speaking during their protests in the last few days.

    He appealed to the members to see that the decency and dignity of the House are maintained.

    Thereafter, the listed official papers were laid on the table of the House.

    Naidu then called for the Zero Hour, where MPs raise issues of public importance.

    But just like the previous days, the Opposition MPs were up on their feet raising the snooping controversy, farm laws, fuel prices and other issues.

  • Lok Sabha proceedings adjourned for the day, two bills introduced

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Friday amid continued opposition protest over Pegasus and other issues.

    When the House reassembled at noon, amid the din two bills — The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Bill, 2021 and the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Amendment Bill — was introduced.

    Rajendra Agrawal, who was chairing the proceedings, then asked protesting members to go back to their respective seats as a discussion on COVID-19 situation is scheduled under Rule 193.

    As sloganeering continued, Agrawal adjourned the House proceedings for the day.

    The Lok Sabha will now meet on August 2 after the routine weekend break.

    Earlier in the day the House was adjourned till noon after protests.

    During the Question Hour, Opposition members raised slogans and displayed placards as they protested on Pegasus spyware controversy and other issues.

    Some Opposition members were heard raising slogans like ‘we want justice’.

    Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been rocked by Opposition protests since the Monsoon session commenced on July 19.

  • Centre ready to discuss issues directly related to people, Oppn behaviour unfortunate: Pralhad Joshi

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Amid continuous Opposition uproar in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday said such behaviour is unfortunate and the government is ready for discussion on issues “directly related” to the people.

    Referring to protests over the Pegasus spyware row that has led to a logjam in Parliament, he said Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has already made a detailed statement on the issue in both the Houses.

    The protests are over a “non-issue, non-serious issue”, said Joshi, the parliamentary affairs minister, and urged the opposition members to allow the Lok Sabha to function.

    “There are so many issues directly related to the people of India….government is ready for discussions,” he said amid din in the Lok Sabha, adding Parliament is not being allowed to function and such behaviour is “unfortunate”.

    ALSO READ | Monsoon Session of Parliament: Centre tries to reach out, Opposition sticks to stand

    This week, the Lower House has passed some bills without much discussion as it has been rocked by protests since the Monsoon Session commenced on July 19.

    “We don’t want to pass bills without discussions,” Joshi asserted.

    As soon as the House met for the day on Friday, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury sought to raise certain issues but was not allowed.

    During the Question Hour, Opposition members raised slogans and displayed placards as they protested on Pegasus spyware controversy and other issues.

    Some Opposition members were heard shouting “we want justice”.

    In the wake of the protests, Lok Sabha proceedings on Friday were adjourned till noon.

  • Monsoon Session of Parliament: Centre tries to reach out, Opposition sticks to stand

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: With barely a week left in the monsoon session of Parliament, there was no respite from the ruckus in both Houses. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla threated action against members who had thrown torn placards at the Chair and the treasury benche. Rajya Sabha saw repeated adjournments, with Opposition MPs demanding discussion on the Pegasus controversy. 

    There was no breakthrough in the stand-off between the government and the Opposition, even though Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi and Leader of the Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal tried to talk to the Opposition. 

    The Lok Sabha continued to take up the Question Hour and legislative business amid a constant din in the House. Opposition MPs held out placards in the well of the House and raised slogans. The House still passed the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021 amid the ruckus in the House. 

    Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (top) speaks in Parliament on Thursday

    Lok Sabha Speaker Birla, in reference to the incident on Wednesday when nine Congress MPs hurled torn placards at the Chair, said he was pained by the behaviour of these MPs and described this as against Constitutional norms and conventions. He called upon the MPs to offer suggestions to enhance the prestige of the Chair, while reminding them that they  aren’t individuals but institutions. The treasury benches demanded apology from the Opposition, with minister Joshi saying that “this isn’t the way they can behave”.

    Leader of Congress in the House, Adhir Ranjan Choudhary countered by saying that the Opposition parties weren’t able to raise issues in the House. Joshi said the government is ready for debate on any matter. Despite that, there were many adjournments.

    In Rajya Sabha, the Chair pushed through the Question Hour, as Opposition MPs kept demanding discussion on Pegasus and shouting ‘khela hobe’ (game on). Goyal and Joshi met these leaders, who reiterated their demand for discussion on Pegasus. The government pushed through the Factoring Regulation Amendment Bill without any discussion. The bill was introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman amidst the din and it was passed before the House was adjourned.

    Rs 1,289 crore on new Parl and Vista this fiscal ​The government has so far spent Rs 238 crore for new Parliament building and Rs 63 crore for redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue. Estimated cost for these two projects for 2021-22 is Rs 1,289 crore. “New Parliament Building at an estimated cost of Rs 971 crore is targeted to be completed by October, 2022,” ministry of urban affairs said in Parliament.

  • Monsoon Session of Parliament: Cenetre tries to reach out, Opposition sticks to stand

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: With barely a week left in the monsoon session of Parliament, there was no respite from the ruckus in both Houses. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla threated action against members who had thrown torn placards at the Chair and the treasury benche. Rajya Sabha saw repeated adjournments, with Opposition MPs demanding discussion on the Pegasus controversy. 

    There was no breakthrough in the stand-off between the government and the Opposition, even though Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi and Leader of the Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal tried to talk to the Opposition. 

    The Lok Sabha continued to take up the Question Hour and legislative business amid a constant din in the House. Opposition MPs held out placards in the well of the House and raised slogans. The House still passed the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021 amid the ruckus in the House. 

    Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (top) speaks in Parliament on Thursday

    Lok Sabha Speaker Birla, in reference to the incident on Wednesday when nine Congress MPs hurled torn placards at the Chair, said he was pained by the behaviour of these MPs and described this as against Constitutional norms and conventions. He called upon the MPs to offer suggestions to enhance the prestige of the Chair, while reminding them that they  aren’t individuals but institutions. The treasury benches demanded apology from the Opposition, with minister Joshi saying that “this isn’t the way they can behave”.

    Leader of Congress in the House, Adhir Ranjan Choudhary countered by saying that the Opposition parties weren’t able to raise issues in the House. Joshi said the government is ready for debate on any matter. Despite that, there were many adjournments.

    In Rajya Sabha, the Chair pushed through the Question Hour, as Opposition MPs kept demanding discussion on Pegasus and shouting ‘khela hobe’ (game on). Goyal and Joshi met these leaders, who reiterated their demand for discussion on Pegasus. The government pushed through the Factoring Regulation Amendment Bill without any discussion. The bill was introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman amidst the din and it was passed before the House was adjourned.

    Rs 1,289 crore on new Parl and Vista this fiscal ​The government has so far spent Rs 238 crore for new Parliament building and Rs 63 crore for redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue. Estimated cost for these two projects for 2021-22 is Rs 1,289 crore. “New Parliament Building at an estimated cost of Rs 971 crore is targeted to be completed by October, 2022,” ministry of urban affairs said in Parliament.

  • Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned amid protest by Opposition MPs

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha proceedings were on Thursday adjourned till 12 noon as opposition members created uproar over Pegasus and various other issues.

    Soon after the listed papers were laid on the table of the House, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said he has not accepted the notices given by various opposition party members for suspension of the business to allow discussion on their issues.

    This was protested by Congress MPs and several of them were on their feet.

    In the meantime, TMC members trooped into the Well of the House and were later joined by Congress MPs.

    Naidu asked the protesting members to return to their seats, but they did not yield.

    The Chairman then adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon.

    ALSO READ | LS proceedings adjourned; Speaker says hurt over unruly behaviour of some Opposition members

  • LS proceedings adjourned; Speaker says hurt over unruly behaviour of some Opposition members

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday adjourned the House proceedings till 11:30 AM amid protests, and also expressed displeasure over unruly behaviour by some opposition members on Wednesday.

    As the House convened for the day, the Speaker said he was “very hurt” over Wednesday’s incident.

    On Wednesday, when papers were being laid in the House, Congress members Gurjeet Aujala, TN Prathapan, Hibi Eden and some others threw business papers of the day as well as torn pieces of paper and placards at the Chair.

    A piece of the torn placard landed in the press gallery just above the Speaker’s podium.

    Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, said the opposition has not been able to put forth it point due to the stubborn attitude of the government.

    Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the members who resorted to tearing papers don’t even want to apologise.

    As the protest continued, Speaker Birla adjourned the proceedings.

    The Opposition members have been protesting over the Pegasus snooping controversy and three farm bills.