The Congress said the government did not have a legislative agenda and though it listed 32 bills at the start of the session, it managed to pass only seven in Lok Sabha and five in Rajya Sabha.
Tag: Parliament
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Lok Sabha passes bill to promote non-fossil fuel
By PTI
NEW DELHI: A bill seeking to mandate the use of non-fossil energy sources such as biomass, ethanol and green hydrogen was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday.
Piloting the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, Power Minister R K Singh said “this is the bill for the future,” and urged the members to approve it.
The bill was later passed by the House after rejecting amendments moved by some Opposition members. The Minister said the renewable energy capacity addition in the country was fastest in the world.
The Bill provides for penalties for violations by industrial units or vessels, and on manufacturers if a vehicle fails to comply with fuel consumption norms.
“With the passage of time, and in the context of the energy transition with special focus on the promotion of new and renewable energy and National Green Hydrogen Mission, a need has arisen to further amend the said Act to facilitate the achievement of ‘Panchamrit’ as five nectar elements presented by India in Conference of Parties -26 in Glasgow last year,” the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill said.
The amendments also seek to promote renewable energy and the development of a domestic carbon market to battle climate change.
It also seeks to introduce new concepts such as carbon trading and mandate the use of non-fossil sources to ensure faster decarbonisation of the Indian economy and help achieve sustainable development goals in line with the Paris Agreement.
NEW DELHI: A bill seeking to mandate the use of non-fossil energy sources such as biomass, ethanol and green hydrogen was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday.
Piloting the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, Power Minister R K Singh said “this is the bill for the future,” and urged the members to approve it.
The bill was later passed by the House after rejecting amendments moved by some Opposition members. The Minister said the renewable energy capacity addition in the country was fastest in the world.
The Bill provides for penalties for violations by industrial units or vessels, and on manufacturers if a vehicle fails to comply with fuel consumption norms.
“With the passage of time, and in the context of the energy transition with special focus on the promotion of new and renewable energy and National Green Hydrogen Mission, a need has arisen to further amend the said Act to facilitate the achievement of ‘Panchamrit’ as five nectar elements presented by India in Conference of Parties -26 in Glasgow last year,” the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill said.
The amendments also seek to promote renewable energy and the development of a domestic carbon market to battle climate change.
It also seeks to introduce new concepts such as carbon trading and mandate the use of non-fossil sources to ensure faster decarbonisation of the Indian economy and help achieve sustainable development goals in line with the Paris Agreement.
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Parliament adjourned sine die four days ahead of schedule
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The Monsoon sesion of Parliament ended on Monday four days ahead of schedule.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned the house sine die, saying it met for 16 days and passed seven legislations.
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, whose tenure will end on August 10, adjourned the house sine die, saying that detailed statistics pertaining to the session will be circulated during the course by the Rajya Sabha secretariat.
Generally, before adjourning the house sine die the chair reads out the statistics about the business transacted in the house in detail.
The session was scheduled to be held from July 18 to August 12.
NEW DELHI: The Monsoon sesion of Parliament ended on Monday four days ahead of schedule.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned the house sine die, saying it met for 16 days and passed seven legislations.
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, whose tenure will end on August 10, adjourned the house sine die, saying that detailed statistics pertaining to the session will be circulated during the course by the Rajya Sabha secretariat.
Generally, before adjourning the house sine die the chair reads out the statistics about the business transacted in the house in detail.
The session was scheduled to be held from July 18 to August 12.
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Bill granting statutory cover to family courts in Himachal, Nagaland gets Parliament nod
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Parliament on Thursday passed a bill granting statutory cover to family courts set up in Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland and retrospectively validating all actions taken by them.
Rajya Sabha passed the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022 by a voice vote amid sloganeering by the Opposition, led by Congress members who alleged misuse of the Enforcement Directorate by the government.
In reply to the discussion on the bill, Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju stressed on the need to have the legislation passed considering the long list of pending cases.
There are at present 715 family courts in the country with over 11 lakh pending cases, he said, adding the emphasis of the government is to have at least one family court in each district so that there could be speedy disposal of the cases.
According to the Family Court Act of 1984, it is mandatory for a state government to set up a family court for every city or a town whose population exceeds one million. Rijiju also said the Centre has already asked judicial officers to give importance to family matters.
In India, marriage is not only a getting together of two individuals but it is an union of families and communities and when a marriage breaks down the whole structure crumbles, he said.
The minister said he wanted to have a detailed discussion on the important bill but the way the Opposition, specially Congress members, are behaving, it won’t be possible. Lok Sabha had passed the bill last week.
The Family Courts (Amendment) Bill seeks to insert a provision in sub-section 3 of section 1 to provide for setting up family courts in Himachal Pradesh with effect from February 15, 2019 and in Nagaland with effect from September 12, 2008.
The bill also seeks to insert a new section 3A to retrospectively validate all actions under the act taken by the governments of Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland and the family courts of these states.
Two family courts were established in Nagaland in 2008 and three in Himachal Pradesh in 2019 through notifications issued by the respective state governments.
The issue of lack of jurisdiction of the family courts in Himachal Pradesh came to the fore during proceedings of the Himachal Pradesh High Court last year.
Another petition in the Himachal Pradesh High Court stated that the central government had not issued any notification extending the Family Court Act to Himachal Pradesh and the state government directives to establish such courts were without any legal authority.
The Family Courts Act was enacted to set up family courts to promote conciliation and secure speedy settlement of disputes related to marriage and family affairs.
Earlier, taking part in the discussion, Saroj Pandey (BJP), Ram Nath Thakur JD(U), and AD Singh supported the bill.
Similarly, Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar (TDP) supported the bill but said there is no mention in it about the time limit for disposal of cases. M Thambidurai (AIADMK) also made a similar demand.
As soon as the bill was cleared, Deputy Chairman Harivansh adjourned the House for the day.
Earlier in the day, the proceedings were also adjourned for an hour till 12 PM as Congress members created uproar over the issue of alleged misuse of central probe agencies by the government.
Leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge charged that autonomous bodies were being misused by the government to settle political scores, an allegation that was countered by Treasury benches. This led to heated exchanges between MPs of the two sides.
NEW DELHI: Parliament on Thursday passed a bill granting statutory cover to family courts set up in Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland and retrospectively validating all actions taken by them.
Rajya Sabha passed the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022 by a voice vote amid sloganeering by the Opposition, led by Congress members who alleged misuse of the Enforcement Directorate by the government.
In reply to the discussion on the bill, Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju stressed on the need to have the legislation passed considering the long list of pending cases.
There are at present 715 family courts in the country with over 11 lakh pending cases, he said, adding the emphasis of the government is to have at least one family court in each district so that there could be speedy disposal of the cases.
According to the Family Court Act of 1984, it is mandatory for a state government to set up a family court for every city or a town whose population exceeds one million. Rijiju also said the Centre has already asked judicial officers to give importance to family matters.
In India, marriage is not only a getting together of two individuals but it is an union of families and communities and when a marriage breaks down the whole structure crumbles, he said.
The minister said he wanted to have a detailed discussion on the important bill but the way the Opposition, specially Congress members, are behaving, it won’t be possible. Lok Sabha had passed the bill last week.
The Family Courts (Amendment) Bill seeks to insert a provision in sub-section 3 of section 1 to provide for setting up family courts in Himachal Pradesh with effect from February 15, 2019 and in Nagaland with effect from September 12, 2008.
The bill also seeks to insert a new section 3A to retrospectively validate all actions under the act taken by the governments of Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland and the family courts of these states.
Two family courts were established in Nagaland in 2008 and three in Himachal Pradesh in 2019 through notifications issued by the respective state governments.
The issue of lack of jurisdiction of the family courts in Himachal Pradesh came to the fore during proceedings of the Himachal Pradesh High Court last year.
Another petition in the Himachal Pradesh High Court stated that the central government had not issued any notification extending the Family Court Act to Himachal Pradesh and the state government directives to establish such courts were without any legal authority.
The Family Courts Act was enacted to set up family courts to promote conciliation and secure speedy settlement of disputes related to marriage and family affairs.
Earlier, taking part in the discussion, Saroj Pandey (BJP), Ram Nath Thakur JD(U), and AD Singh supported the bill.
Similarly, Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar (TDP) supported the bill but said there is no mention in it about the time limit for disposal of cases. M Thambidurai (AIADMK) also made a similar demand.
As soon as the bill was cleared, Deputy Chairman Harivansh adjourned the House for the day.
Earlier in the day, the proceedings were also adjourned for an hour till 12 PM as Congress members created uproar over the issue of alleged misuse of central probe agencies by the government.
Leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge charged that autonomous bodies were being misused by the government to settle political scores, an allegation that was countered by Treasury benches. This led to heated exchanges between MPs of the two sides.
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Oppostion didn’t care for sanctity of House, says Joshi
Express News Service
Parliament watchers heaved a sigh of relief when the Lok Sabha resumed normal functioning on Monday afternoon with a discussion on price rise as demanded by the Opposition. The hours-long debate that saw Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responding to the lawmakers’ concerns came about after the government agreed to revoke the suspension for four Congress MPs. Until Monday, most of the monsoon session, which began on July 18, had been a washout in the wake of various controversies. The session has time until August 12 to make up for the lost time.
In an interview with TNIE, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi talks about MPs’ behaviour inside the House and the wastage of public money in the lost hours of parliamentary debates.
Excerpts:
Why were Opposition members not allowed to speak on price rise in the last two weeks?From day one, we have been telling them that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was down with Covid and that she would recover within a few days. Since she is the right person to answer all their queries, we told them the debate could take place when she was present in the House. However, the Opposition kept on insisting, resulting in wastage of public money and Parliament time.
The logjam has led to suspension of some MPs. Will all suspensions be revoked?When we were in the opposition, we never got placards to the House. Opposition MPs not just held placards before the Speaker, but even advanced towards the ruling party gallery. The House has a sanctity about which they did not care. We are not expecting their apology. The least they can say is that they will not repeat it or bring placards in future. Their suspension can be revoked. If such a response does not come from the members, their party floor leader can convey that.
The GST has been a burden on people. What is the government stand?The GST Committee has approved tax on many essentials. The committee members include CMs of Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan and other party leaders. Why didn’t they raise the issue there? Let them take it up before the GST Council; the Finance Minister will take a call.
Only 10 days are left for the monsoon session to end. Do you see normal debates taking place on various bills?We had earlier indicated that there are 32 bills on various issues. We will bring some to the House. We will allow the Opposition to take part in debates if their MPs do not create a ruckus to disturb the proceedings.
Will the government ban outfits such as the Popular Front of India and SDPI?This is under discussion. I cannot reveal anything now. Home Minister Amit Shah will announce a suitable decision.
How are the Vice Presidential election preparations going on?Our candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar is from a humble background. We are requesting even non-NDA MPs to vote for him. We are confident of him winning with a larger margin than our Presidential candidate has won.
Parliament watchers heaved a sigh of relief when the Lok Sabha resumed normal functioning on Monday afternoon with a discussion on price rise as demanded by the Opposition. The hours-long debate that saw Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responding to the lawmakers’ concerns came about after the government agreed to revoke the suspension for four Congress MPs. Until Monday, most of the monsoon session, which began on July 18, had been a washout in the wake of various controversies. The session has time until August 12 to make up for the lost time.
In an interview with TNIE, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi talks about MPs’ behaviour inside the House and the wastage of public money in the lost hours of parliamentary debates.
Excerpts:
Why were Opposition members not allowed to speak on price rise in the last two weeks?
From day one, we have been telling them that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was down with Covid and that she would recover within a few days. Since she is the right person to answer all their queries, we told them the debate could take place when she was present in the House. However, the Opposition kept on insisting, resulting in wastage of public money and Parliament time.The logjam has led to suspension of some MPs. Will all suspensions be revoked?
When we were in the opposition, we never got placards to the House. Opposition MPs not just held placards before the Speaker, but even advanced towards the ruling party gallery. The House has a sanctity about which they did not care. We are not expecting their apology. The least they can say is that they will not repeat it or bring placards in future. Their suspension can be revoked. If such a response does not come from the members, their party floor leader can convey that.The GST has been a burden on people. What is the government stand?
The GST Committee has approved tax on many essentials. The committee members include CMs of Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan and other party leaders. Why didn’t they raise the issue there? Let them take it up before the GST Council; the Finance Minister will take a call.Only 10 days are left for the monsoon session to end. Do you see normal debates taking place on various bills?
We had earlier indicated that there are 32 bills on various issues. We will bring some to the House. We will allow the Opposition to take part in debates if their MPs do not create a ruckus to disturb the proceedings.Will the government ban outfits such as the Popular Front of India and SDPI?
This is under discussion. I cannot reveal anything now. Home Minister Amit Shah will announce a suitable decision.How are the Vice Presidential election preparations going on?
Our candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar is from a humble background. We are requesting even non-NDA MPs to vote for him. We are confident of him winning with a larger margin than our Presidential candidate has won. -
Parliament passes bill to ban funding of weapons of mass destruction
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Parliament on Monday passed a bill which seeks to ban funding of weapons of mass destruction and also empowers the Centre to freeze, seize or attach financial assets and economic resources of people engaged in such activities.
The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022, piloted by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, was passed by the Rajya Sabha with a voice vote even as opposition parties continued their protest over various issues, including the arrest of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in a money laundering case.
The bill was approved by the Lok Sabha in April.
Replying to a debate on the bill, Jaishankar said all members who spoke on the proposed legislation recognised that terrorism is a serious threat and so are weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
He said that the current law only covers trading and does not cover the financing of weapons of mass destruction.
ALSO READ | Parliament passes bill to extend laws to Indian research stations in Antarctic region
“This gap needs to be filled because the recommendation of the Financial Action Task Force requires all countries, including us, to ensure that assets financing for WMD-related activities is prohibited. So keeping in mind this lacuna of the current law we have brought this amendment. This is good for the security of the country. This is good for the reputation of the country,” Jaishankar said.
The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, passed in 2005, only banned the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction.
The amendment bill seeks to insert a new Section 12A in the existing law which states that “no person shall finance any activity which is prohibited under this Act, or under the United Nations (Security Council) Act, 1947 or any other relevant Act for the time being in force, or by an order issued under any such Act, in relation to weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.”
NEW DELHI: Parliament on Monday passed a bill which seeks to ban funding of weapons of mass destruction and also empowers the Centre to freeze, seize or attach financial assets and economic resources of people engaged in such activities.
The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022, piloted by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, was passed by the Rajya Sabha with a voice vote even as opposition parties continued their protest over various issues, including the arrest of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in a money laundering case.
The bill was approved by the Lok Sabha in April.
Replying to a debate on the bill, Jaishankar said all members who spoke on the proposed legislation recognised that terrorism is a serious threat and so are weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
He said that the current law only covers trading and does not cover the financing of weapons of mass destruction.
ALSO READ | Parliament passes bill to extend laws to Indian research stations in Antarctic region
“This gap needs to be filled because the recommendation of the Financial Action Task Force requires all countries, including us, to ensure that assets financing for WMD-related activities is prohibited. So keeping in mind this lacuna of the current law we have brought this amendment. This is good for the security of the country. This is good for the reputation of the country,” Jaishankar said.
The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, passed in 2005, only banned the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction.
The amendment bill seeks to insert a new Section 12A in the existing law which states that “no person shall finance any activity which is prohibited under this Act, or under the United Nations (Security Council) Act, 1947 or any other relevant Act for the time being in force, or by an order issued under any such Act, in relation to weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.”
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Parliament passes bill to extend laws to Indian research stations in Antarctic region
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Parliament on Monday passed a bill which seeks to extend the application of domestic laws to research stations set up by India in the Antarctic region.
The Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022, piloted in the Upper House by Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh, was passed with a voice vote after a brief discussion amid a protest by the Opposition on various issues, including the arrest of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.
The House rejected several amendments moved by Opposition parties, including for sending the bill to a select committee of the Rajya Sabha for scrutiny of the proposed legislation.
Lok Sabha had given its approval to the bill on July 22. The Opposition had demanded division on sending the bill to the Select Committee. Bhubaneswar Kalita, who was chairing the session, had called for the division.
With several members protesting in the Well of the House, Kalita said the division cannot take place unless MPs are in their allotted seats, and he called it off.
The Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 seeks to extend the application of domestic laws to research stations set up by India in the Antarctic region.
India has two active research stations in the Antarctic — Maitri and Bharti — where scientists are involved in research.
The bill proposes to prohibit Indian expedition to Antarctica without a permit or written authorisation of another party to the Antarctic Treaty, provides for inspection by an officer appointed by the government and for a penalty for contravention of certain provisions of the legislation.
It also seeks to constitute a fund for the welfare of Antarctic research work and the protection of the environment of the icy continent.
The House was adjourned after the passage of the bill to meet Tuesday.
NEW DELHI: Parliament on Monday passed a bill which seeks to extend the application of domestic laws to research stations set up by India in the Antarctic region.
The Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022, piloted in the Upper House by Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh, was passed with a voice vote after a brief discussion amid a protest by the Opposition on various issues, including the arrest of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.
The House rejected several amendments moved by Opposition parties, including for sending the bill to a select committee of the Rajya Sabha for scrutiny of the proposed legislation.
Lok Sabha had given its approval to the bill on July 22. The Opposition had demanded division on sending the bill to the Select Committee. Bhubaneswar Kalita, who was chairing the session, had called for the division.
With several members protesting in the Well of the House, Kalita said the division cannot take place unless MPs are in their allotted seats, and he called it off.
The Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 seeks to extend the application of domestic laws to research stations set up by India in the Antarctic region.
India has two active research stations in the Antarctic — Maitri and Bharti — where scientists are involved in research.
The bill proposes to prohibit Indian expedition to Antarctica without a permit or written authorisation of another party to the Antarctic Treaty, provides for inspection by an officer appointed by the government and for a penalty for contravention of certain provisions of the legislation.
It also seeks to constitute a fund for the welfare of Antarctic research work and the protection of the environment of the icy continent.
The House was adjourned after the passage of the bill to meet Tuesday.
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Lok Sabha likely to have debate on price rise on Monday
By PTI
NEW DELHI: After a near washout of House proceedings for two weeks, Lok Sabha is likely to have a debate on price rise on Monday, followed by Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, political sources said.
Since the beginning of the session on July 18, the Opposition in both the House had been raising the issue of rising prices and GST, leading to near washout of proceedings.
The last two days of House proceedings were drowned due to “rashtrapatni” remark of Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and the subsequent Lok Sabha chamber face-off between Sonia Gandhi and Union minister Smriti Irani.
Chowdhury wrote to President Droupadi Murmu on Friday and apologised to her for his “rashtrapatni” remark.
The Congress has upped the ante on Irani over the alleged heckling of Gandhi by her and BJP MPs and organised protests inside and outside Parliament and demanded that she be sacked for her behaviour.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had this week told Lok Sabha that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has recovered from Covid and was attending Parliament. Thus, the government was willing to hold debate on price rise immediately.
Both the government and the Opposition have accused each other of “running away” from a debate on the issue.
But political sources said on Friday that normal House proceedings would resume from Monday and the debate could first take place in the lower house, followed by the upper house.
NEW DELHI: After a near washout of House proceedings for two weeks, Lok Sabha is likely to have a debate on price rise on Monday, followed by Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, political sources said.
Since the beginning of the session on July 18, the Opposition in both the House had been raising the issue of rising prices and GST, leading to near washout of proceedings.
The last two days of House proceedings were drowned due to “rashtrapatni” remark of Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and the subsequent Lok Sabha chamber face-off between Sonia Gandhi and Union minister Smriti Irani.
Chowdhury wrote to President Droupadi Murmu on Friday and apologised to her for his “rashtrapatni” remark.
The Congress has upped the ante on Irani over the alleged heckling of Gandhi by her and BJP MPs and organised protests inside and outside Parliament and demanded that she be sacked for her behaviour.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had this week told Lok Sabha that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has recovered from Covid and was attending Parliament. Thus, the government was willing to hold debate on price rise immediately.
Both the government and the Opposition have accused each other of “running away” from a debate on the issue.
But political sources said on Friday that normal House proceedings would resume from Monday and the debate could first take place in the lower house, followed by the upper house.
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Opposition protests continue, site of protest moves to entrance of Parliament
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The Opposition has chosen the entrance to the Parliament as its new protest site as it wants to remind Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the promise he made when he entered the House for the first time in 2014, its leaders said Thursday.
The protests against the suspension of Opposition MPs started on Wednesday under the sky near the Gandhi statue.
“We want to remind Modi of the promise he made when he arrived on the first day. That is the place where he touched his forehead on the stairs. Also, since there was no tent, because of the rain, we had to move the agitation somewhere. This place was symbolic,” said a leader.
The entrance to the Parliament has now been chosen as the site of the Opposition protest as it is both strategic as well as practical.
Braving mosquitoes and the heat, five suspended MPs, including CPI’s Santosh Kumar and AAP’s Sanjay Singh, spent the night near the Gandhi statue in Parliament complex.
TMC’s Dola Sen and Santanu Sen were present at the site till post midnight.
With authorities not granting permission for a tent, the five MPs slept under the sky as a protest against the suspension of 24 of their fellow parliamentarians, 20 from Rajya Sabha and four Congress members from Lok Sabha.
“Due to heavy rain,50hr dharna has moved from Gandhi statue to #Parliament main entrance. 29hrs down. 21hrs to go. Oppn MPs still at Dharna demanding Govt to revoke suspension of (now) 27 MPs & discuss #PriceRise #GST,” tweeted TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien.
On Thursday morning, TMC MP Mausam Noor who brought tea for the MPs said that the Opposition MPs will not apologise and the protests will continue.
The MPs were provided lunch of idli by the DMK while the TMC served them fish fry, dinner will be served by TRS, sources said.
AAP has been asked to supply liquids to the MPs through the protest — juice, lassi and water have been made available in abundance to ensure that they don’t suffer from dehydration.
The TMC which served tandoori chicken for dinner on Tuesday generated a controversy with BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala objecting to non-vegetarian food being served in front of the Gandhi statue.
“As per media reports, some suspended MPs protesting in front of the Gandhi Statue in Parliament consumed tandoori chicken. Everyone knows Gandhi ji had staunch views on the slaughter of animals. Many people are asking if this was a protest or a farce and a picnic,” Poonawala said.
TMC leader Sushmita Dev hit back at Poonawala saying that the BJP was scared of the Opposition solidarity.
“Behind closed doors people and leaders of RSS eat everything behind closed doors. So, don’t make a comment on our food. They can’t tolerate that the food is being brought not from our home, but by other MPs. They are scared of this solidarity,” Dev told reporters.
Another senior opposition leader, who did not want to be named said that the comment showed the BJP’s intolerance. “While some have roti at lunch, we have fish curry and rice or chicken. What is wrong with that? We have the right to eat what we want,” he said.
The protesting MPs also thanked the office of secretary general of the Rajya Sabha which provided two ambulances, a doctor on call, two driver to ferry the MPs and maintenance staff to keep the protest site clean.
The MPs however, brought their own linen and mattresses.
O’ Brien even brought Odomos mosquito repellant creams for them. “Small gestures went a long way and showed a camaraderie among the MPs. Each party was ready to contribute in any way they could and this spirit shows a united front,” said an opposition leader.
Sources, however, say that the Congress MPs who arrived last night spent a few hours at the site. AAP MP Singh also composed a parody of a popular yesteryear’s song which loosely translates to him imagining “a world without Modi and Shah, where people get food and children get milk.” The opposition has demanded a discussion on price rise in both Houses of Parliament.
NEW DELHI: The Opposition has chosen the entrance to the Parliament as its new protest site as it wants to remind Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the promise he made when he entered the House for the first time in 2014, its leaders said Thursday.
The protests against the suspension of Opposition MPs started on Wednesday under the sky near the Gandhi statue.
“We want to remind Modi of the promise he made when he arrived on the first day. That is the place where he touched his forehead on the stairs. Also, since there was no tent, because of the rain, we had to move the agitation somewhere. This place was symbolic,” said a leader.
The entrance to the Parliament has now been chosen as the site of the Opposition protest as it is both strategic as well as practical.
Braving mosquitoes and the heat, five suspended MPs, including CPI’s Santosh Kumar and AAP’s Sanjay Singh, spent the night near the Gandhi statue in Parliament complex.
TMC’s Dola Sen and Santanu Sen were present at the site till post midnight.
With authorities not granting permission for a tent, the five MPs slept under the sky as a protest against the suspension of 24 of their fellow parliamentarians, 20 from Rajya Sabha and four Congress members from Lok Sabha.
“Due to heavy rain,50hr dharna has moved from Gandhi statue to #Parliament main entrance. 29hrs down. 21hrs to go. Oppn MPs still at Dharna demanding Govt to revoke suspension of (now) 27 MPs & discuss #PriceRise #GST,” tweeted TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien.
On Thursday morning, TMC MP Mausam Noor who brought tea for the MPs said that the Opposition MPs will not apologise and the protests will continue.
The MPs were provided lunch of idli by the DMK while the TMC served them fish fry, dinner will be served by TRS, sources said.
AAP has been asked to supply liquids to the MPs through the protest — juice, lassi and water have been made available in abundance to ensure that they don’t suffer from dehydration.
The TMC which served tandoori chicken for dinner on Tuesday generated a controversy with BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala objecting to non-vegetarian food being served in front of the Gandhi statue.
“As per media reports, some suspended MPs protesting in front of the Gandhi Statue in Parliament consumed tandoori chicken. Everyone knows Gandhi ji had staunch views on the slaughter of animals. Many people are asking if this was a protest or a farce and a picnic,” Poonawala said.
TMC leader Sushmita Dev hit back at Poonawala saying that the BJP was scared of the Opposition solidarity.
“Behind closed doors people and leaders of RSS eat everything behind closed doors. So, don’t make a comment on our food. They can’t tolerate that the food is being brought not from our home, but by other MPs. They are scared of this solidarity,” Dev told reporters.
Another senior opposition leader, who did not want to be named said that the comment showed the BJP’s intolerance. “While some have roti at lunch, we have fish curry and rice or chicken. What is wrong with that? We have the right to eat what we want,” he said.
The protesting MPs also thanked the office of secretary general of the Rajya Sabha which provided two ambulances, a doctor on call, two driver to ferry the MPs and maintenance staff to keep the protest site clean.
The MPs however, brought their own linen and mattresses.
O’ Brien even brought Odomos mosquito repellant creams for them. “Small gestures went a long way and showed a camaraderie among the MPs. Each party was ready to contribute in any way they could and this spirit shows a united front,” said an opposition leader.
Sources, however, say that the Congress MPs who arrived last night spent a few hours at the site. AAP MP Singh also composed a parody of a popular yesteryear’s song which loosely translates to him imagining “a world without Modi and Shah, where people get food and children get milk.” The opposition has demanded a discussion on price rise in both Houses of Parliament.
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20 suspended Rajya Sabha MPs begin 50-hour relay protest; 4 Cong LS members join later
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Twenty suspended Rajya Sabha members Wednesday started a 50-hour relay protest inside the Parliament complex, with sources saying the Opposition declined the Chairman’s offer that they express regret over their members’ behaviour in the House to get the suspension revoked.
They were later joined by four Congress MPs who have also been suspended from Lok Sabha for remainder of the Monsoon session.
The Rajya Sabha MPs are holding the protest near the Gandhi statue and will stay at the site through night, Trinamool Congress’ Dola Sen, who is one of the suspended members, said earlier in the day.
The 20 MPs, suspended over Monday and Tuesday, include seven from the TMC, six from the DMK, three from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), two from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and one each from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The Nationalist Congress Party and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.
“Question: What were Opposition MPs demanding Answer: A discussion on #PriceRise #GST hurting millions of people Action : Dictatorial @narendramodi govt suspends 24 MPs from #Parliament Next few days 24x 7 dharna at Gandhi statue. Peaceful satyagraha will always WIN,” tweeted TMC’s Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien.
While the Congress and other Opposition parties were protesting at different venues in the morning, by the evening, it seemed they had come together on the issue of price rise.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh visited the site of the protests and said his party will be part of the day-night dharna organised by the other Opposition parties.
“Congress, DMK, TMC, CPM & AAP MPs from both Houses on 50 hour continous dharna by turns in Parliament precincts. They are protesting their suspension for demanding URGENT debate on price rise and GST on food items,” he tweeted later at night.
“There’s a 170% increase in suspension of MPs under Modi govt compared to UPA. 24 MPs suspended this Monsoon session alone!” he said.
“We are fighting the Modi-Shah onslaught on democracy and it’s clear that the Modi regime will be seen as a black spot in Indian history. All four Lok Sabha MPs are standing in solidarity with RS MP and are sitting in batches,” said Manickam Tagore, one of the four Congress MPs suspended from Lok Sabha.
The CPI, whose one member has been suspended, said in a statement the suspension is an assault on the basic rights of freedom of expression of members of Parliament.
“The suspension of 4 opposition MPs of the Lok Sabha and 20 MPs of the the opposition in the Rajya Sabha including two MPs of the CPI(M) on successive days is a serious blow to the democratic functioning of Parliament.
“It is the Modi government that has been stubbornly refusing to accept any motion moved by the opposition under the Rules for a structured discussion on the burning problems being faced by the people, destroying their lives, like price rise, unemployment etc.”
Opposition sources also said feelers from the “other side” has indicated that there is a view within the government that suspending 19 opposition MPs at one go in Rajya Sabha was a wrong strategic move and should have been avoided.
In fact, in the morning, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu met leaders of the Opposition parties in RS and an offer was made to them that if they express regret over their behaviour in the House, another resolution will be brought to revoke the suspensions, the sources said.
However, none of the leaders acquiesced, saying instead that the government should express regret over the decision of not discussing price rise.
With the suspension of the MPs in RS concluding on Friday, a discussion on price rise will be taken up after that.
Sources in the Opposition also said a detailed plan of action has been drawn out for the dharna and a roster of duties created which is being circulated on a dedicated WhatsApp group.
While on Wednesday, idli-sambhar breakfast was organised by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, lunch with curd rice was arranged by the DMK. Dinner will be roti, daal, paneer and chicken tandoori courtesy the TMC.
On Thursday, the DMK would be in charge of breakfast, the TRS of lunch and the AAP will arrange dinner.
Sources said the parties have taken upon themselves to appoint leaders to take turns of one to two hours to sit at the site in support of those who have been suspended.
In fact parties such as the NCP and JMM who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.
The leaders, however, will have to sleep under the sky, with their request of a tent being denied by the authorities, as no structures can be built, even temporarily inside the premises. The protesting MPs can, however, use the toilet in the bathroom of the Parliament library.
NEW DELHI: Twenty suspended Rajya Sabha members Wednesday started a 50-hour relay protest inside the Parliament complex, with sources saying the Opposition declined the Chairman’s offer that they express regret over their members’ behaviour in the House to get the suspension revoked.
They were later joined by four Congress MPs who have also been suspended from Lok Sabha for remainder of the Monsoon session.
The Rajya Sabha MPs are holding the protest near the Gandhi statue and will stay at the site through night, Trinamool Congress’ Dola Sen, who is one of the suspended members, said earlier in the day.
The 20 MPs, suspended over Monday and Tuesday, include seven from the TMC, six from the DMK, three from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), two from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and one each from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The Nationalist Congress Party and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.
“Question: What were Opposition MPs demanding Answer: A discussion on #PriceRise #GST hurting millions of people Action : Dictatorial @narendramodi govt suspends 24 MPs from #Parliament Next few days 24x 7 dharna at Gandhi statue. Peaceful satyagraha will always WIN,” tweeted TMC’s Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien.
While the Congress and other Opposition parties were protesting at different venues in the morning, by the evening, it seemed they had come together on the issue of price rise.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh visited the site of the protests and said his party will be part of the day-night dharna organised by the other Opposition parties.
“Congress, DMK, TMC, CPM & AAP MPs from both Houses on 50 hour continous dharna by turns in Parliament precincts. They are protesting their suspension for demanding URGENT debate on price rise and GST on food items,” he tweeted later at night.
“There’s a 170% increase in suspension of MPs under Modi govt compared to UPA. 24 MPs suspended this Monsoon session alone!” he said.
“We are fighting the Modi-Shah onslaught on democracy and it’s clear that the Modi regime will be seen as a black spot in Indian history. All four Lok Sabha MPs are standing in solidarity with RS MP and are sitting in batches,” said Manickam Tagore, one of the four Congress MPs suspended from Lok Sabha.
The CPI, whose one member has been suspended, said in a statement the suspension is an assault on the basic rights of freedom of expression of members of Parliament.
“The suspension of 4 opposition MPs of the Lok Sabha and 20 MPs of the the opposition in the Rajya Sabha including two MPs of the CPI(M) on successive days is a serious blow to the democratic functioning of Parliament.
“It is the Modi government that has been stubbornly refusing to accept any motion moved by the opposition under the Rules for a structured discussion on the burning problems being faced by the people, destroying their lives, like price rise, unemployment etc.”
Opposition sources also said feelers from the “other side” has indicated that there is a view within the government that suspending 19 opposition MPs at one go in Rajya Sabha was a wrong strategic move and should have been avoided.
In fact, in the morning, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu met leaders of the Opposition parties in RS and an offer was made to them that if they express regret over their behaviour in the House, another resolution will be brought to revoke the suspensions, the sources said.
However, none of the leaders acquiesced, saying instead that the government should express regret over the decision of not discussing price rise.
With the suspension of the MPs in RS concluding on Friday, a discussion on price rise will be taken up after that.
Sources in the Opposition also said a detailed plan of action has been drawn out for the dharna and a roster of duties created which is being circulated on a dedicated WhatsApp group.
While on Wednesday, idli-sambhar breakfast was organised by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, lunch with curd rice was arranged by the DMK. Dinner will be roti, daal, paneer and chicken tandoori courtesy the TMC.
On Thursday, the DMK would be in charge of breakfast, the TRS of lunch and the AAP will arrange dinner.
Sources said the parties have taken upon themselves to appoint leaders to take turns of one to two hours to sit at the site in support of those who have been suspended.
In fact parties such as the NCP and JMM who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.
The leaders, however, will have to sleep under the sky, with their request of a tent being denied by the authorities, as no structures can be built, even temporarily inside the premises. The protesting MPs can, however, use the toilet in the bathroom of the Parliament library.