News Analysis India

Tag: Parliament

  • rajya sabha: Rajya Sabha passes two Bills within 12 minutes amid Opp din

    Rajya Sabha passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023 and The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2023 on Monday within 12 minutes with NDA members making summary remarks about the legislation before it was cleared by a voice vote. The Opposition members continued their protests during the process and raised slogans to demand a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on the Parliament security breach issue.

    In Shah’s absence, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai moved the two Bills for consideration and passage in the second half of the day. The Opposition members trooped into the Well of the House, displayed placards and raised slogans while the Bills were being discussed.

    Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar called out some members to speak on the Bill. Among those who spoke a few lines were: Kavita Patidar, K Laxman, S Phangnon Konyak, Rakesh Sinha (BJP), Vijaisai Reddy (YSRCP), Sasmit Patra (BJD), M Thambidurai (AIADMK) and Kanamedala R Kumar (TDP).The two Bills were passed in quick succession. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to reserve 33% seats in the state Assembly for women. The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to give 33% reservation to women in the Puducherry Assembly. Lok Sabha has already passed the two Bills.

    As the Opposition continued to protest, Dhankhar said, “It is a very, very disturbing day. You all are members of the shouting brigade.”

  • Winter Session: Winter Session: PM urges opposition to go ahead with positivity, learn from the defeat

    Ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged the opposition to go ahead with positivity, learn from the defeat and leave behind the tendency of negativity of the last nine years.

    “If I speak on the basis of the recent elections’ results, this is a golden opportunity for our colleagues sitting in the Opposition. Instead of taking out your anger of defeat in this session, if you go ahead with positivity and learn from the defeat and leave behind the tendency of negativity of the last 9 years, the country will change their point of view for them,” he said.

    The Prime Minister said that winter is delayed but political temperatures in the country are rising.The country has rejected “negativity”, said the Prime Minister after the BJP secured victory in three out of four states on Sunday. AllMadhya PradeshRajasthanTelanganaChhattisgarhMizoram”Yesterday, the results of the four-state elections came out. The results are very encouraging – encouraging for those who are committed to the welfare of the common people of the country and to the bright future of the country,” said PM Modi.”I have been urging for your (Opposition) cooperation in the House. Today, I also speak politically – it is beneficial for you too if you give a message of positivity to the country. It is not right for democracy if your image becomes that of hatred and negativity. Opposition is equally important for democracy, it should be equally capable,” said the PM.Before the commencement of the session, we hold discussions with our colleagues in the Opposition, he said. “We urge and pray for the cooperation of everyone. This time too, the process has been undertaken. I also urge all our MPs that this temple of democracy is essential for public aspiration and to strengthen the foundation of developed India,” he added.

  • No plans to change names of Madras, Bombay and Calcutta High Courts: Centre

    By Online Desk

    There are no plans to change the names of the Madras, Bombay and Calcutta High Courts, the Centre told Parliament on Thursday. The was stated in response to a question by Rajya Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu CV Shanmugam. 

    Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal recalled the history of the proposal in his reply. 

    Under the Madras (Alteration of Name) Act, 1996, the city of Madras was renamed as Chennai. Following this, the Tamil Nadu government sent a proposal to change the name of the Madras High Court to the High Court of Chennai in 1997, said Meghwal.

    The names of Bombay and Calcutta had also changed by that time. The government thus brought a legislation titled “High Courts (Alteration of Names) Bill, 2016” to change the names of the Bombay, Calcutta and Madras High Courts to the Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai High Courts respectively. This was introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 19, 2016, said the minister. 

    Meanwhile the name of Orissa had changed to Odisha and Gauhati to Guwahati. Consultations were then carried out with the concerned state governments and high courts, said Meghwal, but there was a mixed response. 

    The Maharashtra government and Bombay High Court agreed to the proposal to change the name to Mumbai High Court.

    The Orissa High Court and Odisha government as well as Gauhati High Court and Assam government also conveyed no objection to the proposal to change the names of the respective High Courts.

    The Tamil Nadu government suggested that the name of the Madras High Court be changed to High Court of Tamil Nadu. The Madras High Court, however, did not agree to the proposal. 

    The Calcutta High Court and West Bengal government also did not agree to the proposal. 

    The bill was not taken any further and lapsed due to the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, he said. 

    Later, VP Patil had filed a petition in the Supreme Court to rename the Bombay High Court as High Court of Maharashtra and other high courts as per their current state/city names. But the Supreme Court dismissed the petition in 2022, noted Meghwal.

    At present, there is no proposal to bring legislation on this subject, said the Law Minister in his written reply.

    There are no plans to change the names of the Madras, Bombay and Calcutta High Courts, the Centre told Parliament on Thursday. The was stated in response to a question by Rajya Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu CV Shanmugam. 

    Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal recalled the history of the proposal in his reply. 

    Under the Madras (Alteration of Name) Act, 1996, the city of Madras was renamed as Chennai. Following this, the Tamil Nadu government sent a proposal to change the name of the Madras High Court to the High Court of Chennai in 1997, said Meghwal.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The names of Bombay and Calcutta had also changed by that time. The government thus brought a legislation titled “High Courts (Alteration of Names) Bill, 2016” to change the names of the Bombay, Calcutta and Madras High Courts to the Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai High Courts respectively. This was introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 19, 2016, said the minister. 

    Meanwhile the name of Orissa had changed to Odisha and Gauhati to Guwahati. Consultations were then carried out with the concerned state governments and high courts, said Meghwal, but there was a mixed response. 

    The Maharashtra government and Bombay High Court agreed to the proposal to change the name to Mumbai High Court.

    The Orissa High Court and Odisha government as well as Gauhati High Court and Assam government also conveyed no objection to the proposal to change the names of the respective High Courts.

    The Tamil Nadu government suggested that the name of the Madras High Court be changed to High Court of Tamil Nadu. The Madras High Court, however, did not agree to the proposal. 

    The Calcutta High Court and West Bengal government also did not agree to the proposal. 

    The bill was not taken any further and lapsed due to the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, he said. 

    Later, VP Patil had filed a petition in the Supreme Court to rename the Bombay High Court as High Court of Maharashtra and other high courts as per their current state/city names. But the Supreme Court dismissed the petition in 2022, noted Meghwal.

    At present, there is no proposal to bring legislation on this subject, said the Law Minister in his written reply.

  • Dressed in black, Opposition MPs meet to chalk out strategy in Parliament

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Dressed in black as a mark of protest against the government over the Manipur issue, MPs belonging to the Opposition’s INDIA bloc met in the chamber of Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge here on Thursday to finalise their strategy in both Houses of Parliament.

    Sources said the opposition leaders will not allow any business to be taken up in Lok Sabha after a no-confidence motion against the government was admitted by Speaker Om Birla.

    The opposition MPs have pointed out that ideally the no-confidence motion should be discussed before any other business is taken up.

    They wore black clothes as a mark of protest for not allowing a discussion on Manipur and Prime Minister Narendra Modi not making a statement in both Houses on the violence-racked northeastern state.

    The opposition MPs have been protesting in Parliament every day over the issue.

    A no-confidence motion against the government by Congress on behalf of the opposition alliance was admitted by Birla on Wednesday.

    Birla said a date for a discussion on the motion will be decided after consulting the leaders of all parties.

    NEW DELHI: Dressed in black as a mark of protest against the government over the Manipur issue, MPs belonging to the Opposition’s INDIA bloc met in the chamber of Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge here on Thursday to finalise their strategy in both Houses of Parliament.

    Sources said the opposition leaders will not allow any business to be taken up in Lok Sabha after a no-confidence motion against the government was admitted by Speaker Om Birla.

    The opposition MPs have pointed out that ideally the no-confidence motion should be discussed before any other business is taken up.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    They wore black clothes as a mark of protest for not allowing a discussion on Manipur and Prime Minister Narendra Modi not making a statement in both Houses on the violence-racked northeastern state.

    The opposition MPs have been protesting in Parliament every day over the issue.

    A no-confidence motion against the government by Congress on behalf of the opposition alliance was admitted by Birla on Wednesday.

    Birla said a date for a discussion on the motion will be decided after consulting the leaders of all parties.

  • 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.
     

  • Pressure on PM Modi to intervene as Manipur situation remains fluid

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI: With violence in Manipur continuing unabated, the chorus for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention is growing louder. Parliament is likely to witness noisy scenes and disruption on Monday as well, as the Opposition parties have planned joint protests on the situation in Manipur. 

    While the Opposition has been pressing for a statement from PM Modi in Parliament before a discussion on the issue, the government’s position has been that home minister Amit Shah will speak instead. On Sunday, civil rights activist Irom Sharmila, who hails from Manipur, urged the prime minister to immediately intervene to address the situation. Describing the incident of strip-and-parade of two tribal women as ‘inhuman’, she also demanded that Manipur CM Biren Singh admit his failure and apologise to the people. 

    Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal, who reached Imphal on Sunday, appealed to Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani to visit the strife-torn state to understand the ground situation and the extent of people’s suffering.

    Meanwhile, 78 Meiteis left Mizoram for Imphal, Guwahati and Kolkata in three different flights on Sunday, a day after 56 of them left for Imphal by a flight from Aizawl.  Reports also said 31 Mizo students left Imphal for Aizawl by a flight on Sunday over security concerns. 

    In the fresh bout of violence that erupted on Saturday evening at Kwakta near the border of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts, three persons were reportedly injured. According to official sources, two groups were engaged in a gunfight till the early hours of Sunday, during which shots were fired intermittently. 

    NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI: With violence in Manipur continuing unabated, the chorus for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention is growing louder. Parliament is likely to witness noisy scenes and disruption on Monday as well, as the Opposition parties have planned joint protests on the situation in Manipur. 

    While the Opposition has been pressing for a statement from PM Modi in Parliament before a discussion on the issue, the government’s position has been that home minister Amit Shah will speak instead. 
    On Sunday, civil rights activist Irom Sharmila, who hails from Manipur, urged the prime minister to immediately intervene to address the situation. Describing the incident of strip-and-parade of two tribal women as ‘inhuman’, she also demanded that Manipur CM Biren Singh admit his failure and apologise to the people. 

    Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal, who reached Imphal on Sunday, appealed to Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani to visit the strife-torn state to understand the ground situation and the extent of people’s suffering.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Meanwhile, 78 Meiteis left Mizoram for Imphal, Guwahati and Kolkata in three different flights on Sunday, a day after 56 of them left for Imphal by a flight from Aizawl.  Reports also said 31 Mizo students left Imphal for Aizawl by a flight on Sunday over security concerns. 

    In the fresh bout of violence that erupted on Saturday evening at Kwakta near the border of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts, three persons were reportedly injured. According to official sources, two groups were engaged in a gunfight till the early hours of Sunday, during which shots were fired intermittently. 

  • Monsoon Session showdown: Opposition to raise key national issues; Centre aims to push 31 Bills

    By Online Desk

    Ahead of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session, ‘INDIA’, the newly formed alliance of Opposition parties is aiming to raise key issues including the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, while the Centre aims to take up as many 31 bills during the session.

    Apart from the situation in Manipur, the opposition will also raise the issue of rail safety, on the back of the horrific triple train crash in Odisha’s Balasore district on June 2. 

    Unemployment, inflation, the status of the India-China Border and the trade balance between the two countries are among other key issues set to be raised by these parties.

    AAP’s fight against the Union government’s ordinance — bypassing an SC verdict — on the transfer and posting of bureaucrats in Delhi will also take centre stage in the monsoon session.

    Some of the parties have planned to move an adjournment motion over Manipur violence among other issues on day one of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session on Thursday.

    The Monsoon Session will be conducted till August 11 and will have 17 sittings.

    Almost all the parties including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharat Rashtra Smithi (BRS), Samajwadi Party, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal United (JDU), Dravina Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), CPM, CPI, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) shared their plan while speaking to media followed by an all-party meeting called by the government in the Parliament premises. A total of 34 parties and 44 leaders participated in the meeting.

    The Congress on Wednesday announced to raise the Manipur violence issue on day one of the Monsoon Session seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply over the matter.

    “Today, in the beginning (of the meeting), I kept my point. Our first issue is the violence in Manipur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should come and answer in Parliament over the issue. We will bring adjournment motion over the matter tomorrow,” Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary told ANI after attending an all-party meeting called by the government.

    Choudhary, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, also said that there should be a discussion on the issue of flood and the federal structure of India.

    In the meeting, Choudhary said, he asked the government to allow all opposition parties to speak in the House pointing “We have not come here for tourism so want discussion in House.”

    Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the opposition’s demand for a discussion on the situation in Manipur is “non-negotiable”, asserting that the government must shun its “my way or the highway” approach and follow a middle path for the smooth functioning of Parliament.

    Ramesh said his party will oppose the bill that would be brought in to replace the Delhi ordinance, which he alleged “curtails constitutional rights and responsibilities of the elected government.”

    Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the government was ready for a discussion on the situation in Manipur but termed a “caveat for disruption” the opposition’s demand for a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

    “All parties have been demanding a discussion on Manipur. The government is ready for a discussion on Manipur whenever the Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker decide a date and time,” Joshi said after the meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

    Asked about the opposition’s demand for a statement by the prime minister, Joshi said when the government has agreed to a discussion, then raising issues that the prime minister should come is like putting a caveat for creating disruption in Parliament.

    AAP leader Sanjay Singh objected to bringing the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 and said his party as well as other like-minded Opposition parties will oppose when the Bill will be introduced in the House for its passage. He further stated his party will also raise Manipur violence and misuse of Central agencies among other issues.

    IUML leader Mohd Basheer said he registered a strong protest against Uniform Civil Code in the meeting and “I say that it is dangerous and will disturb the harmony of the country.”

    JDU raised the question of inflation, unemployment, flood, and no caste census as its leader Lallan Singh said “No one gave any answer on whether it will be discussed or not”.

    DMK’s Tiruchi Siva raised the issue of the Tamil Nadu Governor’s recent activity in the state and demanded that RN Ravi should be recalled.

    He also demanded that the Manipur incident should be discussed in the Monsoon Session and that PM Modi should come to the House and give his statement.

    Issues of unemployment were raised by the DMK leader, who also demanded that the Uniform Civil Code should not be brought. “All issues raised to be considered by the government,” said T Shiva.

    The contentious Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 is among 31 Bills that are listed for the Monsoon Session of the Parliament beginning on Thursday.

    Apart from the Personal Data Protection Bill, the bill to replace the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, promulgated in May this year is among other key Bills listed for the monsoon session. The ordinance deals with the control of services in Delhi and was promulgated after the Supreme Court verdict on an appeal by the Delhi government.  

    As per a list, all these 31 Bills will be tabled in the Monsoon Session, which consists of 17 sittings in the old Parliament building.

    The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (To replace ordinance) is on the top among all 31 Bills followed by the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019; the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019; the Mediation Bill, 2021; the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022; the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023; the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023; the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022 (with respect to State of Himachal Pradesh); the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022 (with respect to State of Chhattisgarh); he Postal Services Bill, 2023; the National Cooperative University Bill, 2023; and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

    (With additional inputs from ANI and PTI)

    Ahead of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session, ‘INDIA’, the newly formed alliance of Opposition parties is aiming to raise key issues including the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, while the Centre aims to take up as many 31 bills during the session.

    Apart from the situation in Manipur, the opposition will also raise the issue of rail safety, on the back of the horrific triple train crash in Odisha’s Balasore district on June 2. 

    googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Unemployment, inflation, the status of the India-China Border and the trade balance between the two countries are among other key issues set to be raised by these parties.

    AAP’s fight against the Union government’s ordinance — bypassing an SC verdict — on the transfer and posting of bureaucrats in Delhi will also take centre stage in the monsoon session.

    Some of the parties have planned to move an adjournment motion over Manipur violence among other issues on day one of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session on Thursday.

    The Monsoon Session will be conducted till August 11 and will have 17 sittings.

    Almost all the parties including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharat Rashtra Smithi (BRS), Samajwadi Party, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal United (JDU), Dravina Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), CPM, CPI, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) shared their plan while speaking to media followed by an all-party meeting called by the government in the Parliament premises. A total of 34 parties and 44 leaders participated in the meeting.

    The Congress on Wednesday announced to raise the Manipur violence issue on day one of the Monsoon Session seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply over the matter.

    “Today, in the beginning (of the meeting), I kept my point. Our first issue is the violence in Manipur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should come and answer in Parliament over the issue. We will bring adjournment motion over the matter tomorrow,” Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary told ANI after attending an all-party meeting called by the government.

    Choudhary, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, also said that there should be a discussion on the issue of flood and the federal structure of India.

    In the meeting, Choudhary said, he asked the government to allow all opposition parties to speak in the House pointing “We have not come here for tourism so want discussion in House.”

    Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the opposition’s demand for a discussion on the situation in Manipur is “non-negotiable”, asserting that the government must shun its “my way or the highway” approach and follow a middle path for the smooth functioning of Parliament.

    Ramesh said his party will oppose the bill that would be brought in to replace the Delhi ordinance, which he alleged “curtails constitutional rights and responsibilities of the elected government.”

    Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the government was ready for a discussion on the situation in Manipur but termed a “caveat for disruption” the opposition’s demand for a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

    “All parties have been demanding a discussion on Manipur. The government is ready for a discussion on Manipur whenever the Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker decide a date and time,” Joshi said after the meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

    Asked about the opposition’s demand for a statement by the prime minister, Joshi said when the government has agreed to a discussion, then raising issues that the prime minister should come is like putting a caveat for creating disruption in Parliament.

    AAP leader Sanjay Singh objected to bringing the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 and said his party as well as other like-minded Opposition parties will oppose when the Bill will be introduced in the House for its passage. He further stated his party will also raise Manipur violence and misuse of Central agencies among other issues.

    IUML leader Mohd Basheer said he registered a strong protest against Uniform Civil Code in the meeting and “I say that it is dangerous and will disturb the harmony of the country.”

    JDU raised the question of inflation, unemployment, flood, and no caste census as its leader Lallan Singh said “No one gave any answer on whether it will be discussed or not”.

    DMK’s Tiruchi Siva raised the issue of the Tamil Nadu Governor’s recent activity in the state and demanded that RN Ravi should be recalled.

    He also demanded that the Manipur incident should be discussed in the Monsoon Session and that PM Modi should come to the House and give his statement.

    Issues of unemployment were raised by the DMK leader, who also demanded that the Uniform Civil Code should not be brought. “All issues raised to be considered by the government,” said T Shiva.

    The contentious Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 is among 31 Bills that are listed for the Monsoon Session of the Parliament beginning on Thursday.

    Apart from the Personal Data Protection Bill, the bill to replace the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, promulgated in May this year is among other key Bills listed for the monsoon session. The ordinance deals with the control of services in Delhi and was promulgated after the Supreme Court verdict on an appeal by the Delhi government.  

    As per a list, all these 31 Bills will be tabled in the Monsoon Session, which consists of 17 sittings in the old Parliament building.

    The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (To replace ordinance) is on the top among all 31 Bills followed by the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019; the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019; the Mediation Bill, 2021; the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022; the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023; the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023; the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022 (with respect to State of Himachal Pradesh); the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022 (with respect to State of Chhattisgarh); he Postal Services Bill, 2023; the National Cooperative University Bill, 2023; and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

    (With additional inputs from ANI and PTI)

  • Every decision taken in new Parliament will lay foundation of India’s glorious future: PM Modi

    Modi inaugurated the new building this morning at a grand ceremony which included a havan, a multi-faith prayer ceremony and the installation of the Sengol in a special enclosure. NEW DELHI: The new Parliament building is a reflection of new India’s aspirations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, asserting that it will pave the way for empowering the poor and marginalised and herald the rise of a “developed India” that will inspire the progress of other nations.

    In a speech delivered from the grand and cavernous Lok Sabha hall decorated in peacock motif, Modi said the ultra-modern complex was the “need of the hour” in view of the expected increase in the number of members of Parliament.

    Some moments in the developmental journey of a nation get immortalised, today is one such day, Modi said amid repeated thumping of desks by the audience.

    “More than just a building, the new Parliament encompasses the aspirations and dreams of 1.4 billion people. It sends a powerful message to the world about India’s unwavering determination,” he said and hailed the country’s democratic ethos.

    Modi inaugurated the new building this morning at a grand ceremony which included a havan, a multi-faith prayer ceremony and the installation of the Sengol in a special enclosure in the Lok Sabha chamber.

    He later addressed a gathering of MPs and distinguished guests in the newly-built Lok Sabha chamber that saw attendance from about 25 parties.

    About 20 opposition parties boycotted the event, accusing the prime minister of “sidelining” President Droupadi Murmu.

    The new Parliament complex will witness realisation of the ‘developed India’ pledge and will inspire other nations as well, Modi said.

    Soon after he arrived in Lok Sabha amidst chants of ‘Modi, Modi’, the messages by President Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar were read out, while Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh also addressed the gathering.

    ALSO READ | BJP MP Brij Bhushan seen at new Parliament as Olympian wrestlers manhandled, detained

    In his speech, Modi said that as India develops, the world progresses.

    He asserted that this new Parliament building will give a call for the development of the world as well.

    He also talked about the ‘Sengol’, saying that it was a symbol of power transfer from the British and had now been given the respect it deserves.

    “In the Chola empire, it (Sengol) was considered a symbol of the Kartavya path (path of duty), Seva Path (path of service) and Rashtra path (path of the nation),” Modi said.

    #WATCH | Several years of foreign rule stole our pride from us. Today, India has left behind that colonial mindset: PM Narendra Modi in the new Parliament pic.twitter.com/2MjiPD7lBP
    — ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2023

    The prime minister asserted that India is not only a democratic nation but is also the mother of democracy.

    “Our democracy is our inspiration, our Constitution our resolve. Parliament is the best representative of this inspiration and resolution,” he said, adding that the new Parliament building was a perfect example of the co-existence of the old and new.

    In his remarks, Modi also pointed out that the construction of the new Parliament building gave employment to 60,000 workers and a digital gallery dedicated to them has also been built in the complex.

    The building has been completed in about two-and-a-half years at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 1,200 crore.

    From building Panchayat buildings to the Parliament complex, “our commitment remains the same”, he said as he drew parallels between the grandeur of the new building and the work done by his government at the ground level.

    “We have 25 years of ‘Amritkaal Khand’, together we have to make India a developed nation in this period,” Modi said. Every decision taken in this Parliament will decide the fate of all sections of society and laws made here will help remove poverty and empower the poor and the marginalised sections of society, he said.

    “Every decision taken here will lay the foundation of India’s glorious future. The way to empower the poor, dalits, backwards, tribals, divyangs and other marginalised section does through here,” he said, adding “each brick and wall of this Parliament building should be dedicated to the welfare of the poor”.

    He said the new Parliament building will be a testament to the dawn of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

    “It will be a witness to our journey towards a Viksit Bharat (developed India),” Modi said at the event attended by former president Ram Nath Kovind, Chief Ministers Y S Jagan Reddy, Yogi Adityanath, Eknath Shinde and Neiphu Rio, foreign envoys, Parliamentarians and people from different walks of life.

    Earlier, dressed in traditional attire, Modi walked into Parliament premises from its Gate No.1 and was welcomed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

    Amid Vedic chants by priests from Karnataka’s Shringeri Math, the prime minister performed “Ganapati Homam” to invoke divine blessings.

    The prime minister prostrated before the Sengol and sought blessings from high priests of various adheenams in Tamil Nadu with the holy sceptre in hand.

    Modi then carried the Sengol in a procession amid tunes of nadaswaram and chanting of Vedic mantras to the new Parliament building and installed it in a special enclosure on the right side of the Speaker’s chair in the Lok Sabha chamber.

    “As the new building of India’s Parliament is inaugurated, our hearts and minds are filled with pride, hope and promise. May this iconic building be a cradle of empowerment, igniting dreams and nurturing them into reality. May it propel our great nation to new heights of progress,” the prime minister tweeted.

    The prime minister felicitated with shawls and souvenirs some of the workers for their key role in the construction of the new Parliament building.

    The new Parliament building, constructed by Tata Projects Ltd, will also have a grand Constitution Hall to showcase India’s democratic heritage, a lounge for MPs, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space.

    The triangular-shaped four-storey building has a built-up area of 64,500 square metres.

    The building has three main gates — Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar.

  • PM Modi to inaugurate new Parliament building on May 28

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the newly-constructed Parliament building on May 28.

    Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Modi on Thursday and extended an invitation to inaugurate the new building, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said.

    The new Parliament building can comfortably seat 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber and 300 in the Rajya Sabha chamber, it said.

    In the case of a joint sitting of both Houses, a total of 1,280 members can be accommodated in the Lok Sabha chamber.

    The prime minister had laid the foundation stone of the new parliament building on December 10, 2020. The new building has been built in record time with quality construction, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said.

    The present Parliament building was completed in 1927 and is now 96 years old. Over the years, the old building was found to be inadequate for present-day requirements.

    Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had passed resolutions urging the government to construct a new building for Parliament.

    The new building, constructed by Tata Projects Ltd, will have a grand constitution hall to showcase India’s democratic heritage, a lounge for MPs, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space.

    The triangular-shaped four-storey building has a built-up area of 64,500 square metres. The building has three main gates — Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar. It will have separate entrances for VIPs, MPs, and visitors.

    The Congress took a swipe at the prime minister over the new Parliament building, calling it a “personal vanity project.”

    Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted on Twitter a picture of Modi while inspecting the construction of the building and said, “The sole architect, designer and worker for the new Parliament building, which he will inaugurate on May 28th.”

    “The picture tells it all – personal vanity project,” Ramesh tweeted along with the picture.

    The existing building served as independent India’s first Parliament and witnessed the adoption of the Constitution.

    Originally called the Council House, the building housed the Imperial Legislative Council.

    The Parliament building witnessed the addition of two floors in 1956 to address the demand for more space.

    In 2006, the Parliament Museum was added to showcase the 2,500 years of rich democratic heritage of India.

    Officials said the present building was never designed to accommodate a bicameral legislature and the seating arrangements were cramped and cumbersome, with no desks beyond the second row.

    The Central Hall has a seating capacity only for 440 people and the need for more space was acutely felt during joint sittings of both the houses.

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the newly-constructed Parliament building on May 28.

    Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Modi on Thursday and extended an invitation to inaugurate the new building, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said.

    The new Parliament building can comfortably seat 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber and 300 in the Rajya Sabha chamber, it said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    In the case of a joint sitting of both Houses, a total of 1,280 members can be accommodated in the Lok Sabha chamber.

    The prime minister had laid the foundation stone of the new parliament building on December 10, 2020. The new building has been built in record time with quality construction, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said.

    The present Parliament building was completed in 1927 and is now 96 years old. Over the years, the old building was found to be inadequate for present-day requirements.

    Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had passed resolutions urging the government to construct a new building for Parliament.

    The new building, constructed by Tata Projects Ltd, will have a grand constitution hall to showcase India’s democratic heritage, a lounge for MPs, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space.

    The triangular-shaped four-storey building has a built-up area of 64,500 square metres. The building has three main gates — Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar. It will have separate entrances for VIPs, MPs, and visitors.

    The Congress took a swipe at the prime minister over the new Parliament building, calling it a “personal vanity project.”

    Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted on Twitter a picture of Modi while inspecting the construction of the building and said, “The sole architect, designer and worker for the new Parliament building, which he will inaugurate on May 28th.”

    “The picture tells it all – personal vanity project,” Ramesh tweeted along with the picture.

    The existing building served as independent India’s first Parliament and witnessed the adoption of the Constitution.

    Originally called the Council House, the building housed the Imperial Legislative Council.

    The Parliament building witnessed the addition of two floors in 1956 to address the demand for more space.

    In 2006, the Parliament Museum was added to showcase the 2,500 years of rich democratic heritage of India.

    Officials said the present building was never designed to accommodate a bicameral legislature and the seating arrangements were cramped and cumbersome, with no desks beyond the second row.

    The Central Hall has a seating capacity only for 440 people and the need for more space was acutely felt during joint sittings of both the houses.