Tag: Pralhad Joshi

  • Opposition giving muted, indirect support to security breach: PM Modi

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at the Opposition for giving “muted and indirect” support to the security breach incident in Parliament. However, he asked BJP MPs to maintain decency and decorum while responding to Opposition’s charges.

    Taking a dig at the Opposition, Modi suggested that with their current approach over the security breach in Parliament last week, it looks unlikely that the Opposition would be able to match its 2019 performance. “How can a party believing in democratic values overtly or covertly justify it,” the PM said, according to BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad. He was briefing the media after the BJP parliamentary party meeting.

    The conduct of these parties indicates they have made up their mind to remain in Opposition and are practising for it, Modi said, adding that the nation has also made up its mind to keep them there and to reduce their strength even further.”We should expose the Opposition, keeping in mind to keep our voice under control, and stay within the limits of democracy. In the coming days, no matter whether others are participating or not, we must participate in Parliament’s proceedings,” he said, noting that some important bills are coming up for discussion in the two Houses.

    Slamming opposition parties for disrupting Parliament proceedings, Modi said they were giving “political spin” to the incident in frustration over its losses in the recent assembly polls. Their goal is to throw out his government but the government’s goal is to ensure a bright future for India, he added.

    “Some People are uniting in their intent to remove BJP from power while we are patriots working for the betterment of India. They are utilising their strength to remove the government while we are utilising our strength for the betterment of India,” Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said, quoting the PM.

  • Centre within rights on note ban: Pralhad Joshi

    By Express News Service

    GADAG: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said the Centre and Reserve Bank of India are well within their rights to demonetise currency. “But Congress leaders had hoarded black money and went to court with a complaint against the note ban,” he said in Gadag town.

    On Congress protesting over Mahadayi river water sharing with Goa, he said they ruled the country for over 50 years, but could not solve the problems.

    “In Goa, AICC president Sonia Gandhi said they will not give a single drop of Mahadayi water to Karnataka. So, we brought the issue to Parliament. We will build a canal to get our share of water. The Modi government will solve the issue,” he said.

    Joshi inaugurated a tournament of Gadag Cricket League at the outdoor stadium in Gadag town by batting for a while. PWD Minister CC Patil was present, while GCL organiser Anil Menasinkai thanked the Union minister.

    GADAG: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said the Centre and Reserve Bank of India are well within their rights to demonetise currency. “But Congress leaders had hoarded black money and went to court with a complaint against the note ban,” he said in Gadag town.

    On Congress protesting over Mahadayi river water sharing with Goa, he said they ruled the country for over 50 years, but could not solve the problems.

    “In Goa, AICC president Sonia Gandhi said they will not give a single drop of Mahadayi water to Karnataka. So, we brought the issue to Parliament. We will build a canal to get our share of water. The Modi government will solve the issue,” he said.

    Joshi inaugurated a tournament of Gadag Cricket League at the outdoor stadium in Gadag town by batting for a while. PWD Minister CC Patil was present, while GCL organiser Anil Menasinkai thanked the Union minister.

  • Parliamentary Affairs Minister to convene all-party meeting on Dec 6, day before Winter Session

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi will convene an all-party meeting of floor leaders of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on 6 December in Parliament, a day before the commencement of the Winter Session to discuss important legislative business.

    He will also discuss the issues likely to be taken up in the Winter Session of the Parliament.

    “It is my pleasure to invite you for a meeting of Floor Leaders of Political Parties in Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha to discuss Legislative Business and important issues likely to be taken up in the ensuing Winter Session of Parliament,” Joshi said in a letter to the floor leaders of both the Houses.

    The Minister also sought cooperation in ensuring the “smooth functioning” of both Houses.

    “I would also like to seek your cooperation to ensure the smooth functioning of both Houses. The meeting shall be held on Tuesday the 6th December 2022 at 11.00 am at Parliament Library Building, Parliament House,” he wrote.

    The Winter Session of Parliament will be held from December 7 to December 29 this year, the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister announced earlier. The upcoming Winter Session will have a total of 17 working days, he said.

    Notably, this will be the first session during which Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, will officiate proceedings in the Upper House (Rajya Sabha).

    While the government is planning to pass several bills during the upcoming session of Parliament, the Opposition will demand a discussion on the pressing matters.

    On the first day of the session, the members are likely to pay respects to the sitting members who passed away. Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav was one of the leaders whose death had prompted tributes from leaders across political parties.

    The Monsoon Session commenced on July 18 and adjourned on August 8. The session saw 16 sessions spread over 22 days.

    During the session, six Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha. Seven Bills were passed by Lok Sabha and 5 Bills by the Rajya Sabha during the last session. One Bill was withdrawn. The total number of Bills passed by both Houses of Parliament during the session was 5.

    During the last session, 5 short-term duration discussions were placed including the price rise in both Houses. The productivity of the Lok Sabha was approximately 48 per cent and that of the Rajya Sabha was approximately 44 per cent. 

    NEW DELHI: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi will convene an all-party meeting of floor leaders of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on 6 December in Parliament, a day before the commencement of the Winter Session to discuss important legislative business.

    He will also discuss the issues likely to be taken up in the Winter Session of the Parliament.

    “It is my pleasure to invite you for a meeting of Floor Leaders of Political Parties in Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha to discuss Legislative Business and important issues likely to be taken up in the ensuing Winter Session of Parliament,” Joshi said in a letter to the floor leaders of both the Houses.

    The Minister also sought cooperation in ensuring the “smooth functioning” of both Houses.

    “I would also like to seek your cooperation to ensure the smooth functioning of both Houses. The meeting shall be held on Tuesday the 6th December 2022 at 11.00 am at Parliament Library Building, Parliament House,” he wrote.

    The Winter Session of Parliament will be held from December 7 to December 29 this year, the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister announced earlier. The upcoming Winter Session will have a total of 17 working days, he said.

    Notably, this will be the first session during which Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, will officiate proceedings in the Upper House (Rajya Sabha).

    While the government is planning to pass several bills during the upcoming session of Parliament, the Opposition will demand a discussion on the pressing matters.

    On the first day of the session, the members are likely to pay respects to the sitting members who passed away. Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav was one of the leaders whose death had prompted tributes from leaders across political parties.

    The Monsoon Session commenced on July 18 and adjourned on August 8. The session saw 16 sessions spread over 22 days.

    During the session, six Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha. Seven Bills were passed by Lok Sabha and 5 Bills by the Rajya Sabha during the last session. One Bill was withdrawn. The total number of Bills passed by both Houses of Parliament during the session was 5.

    During the last session, 5 short-term duration discussions were placed including the price rise in both Houses. The productivity of the Lok Sabha was approximately 48 per cent and that of the Rajya Sabha was approximately 44 per cent. 

  • 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.

  • Cong terms MPs suspended from LS for remaining monsoon session as ‘blot on democracy’

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Four Congress Lok Sabha members were suspended on Monday for the rest of the Monsoon session after Speaker Om Birla took a stern view of the continuous disruptions by them, evoking a sharp reaction from the party, which termed the action against its MPs a “blot on democracy”.

    The suspension of Congress MPs –Manickam Tagore, TN Prathapan, Ramya Haridas and Jothimani– under Rule 374 for obstructing the functioning of the House, came amidst continuous demand of the Opposition for a discussion on price rise and hike in GST rates.

    Defending the suspension of these MPs from Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the government is ready for discussion on price rise, but the MPs did not respect the chair and created a ruckus by violating the laws.

    As the protesting opposition members again stalled Lok Sabha proceedings on Monday after the near washout first week of the current session, the Chair named the Congress MPs.

    When members are named, they have to immediately withdraw from the chamber of the House. Joshi then moved a resolution to suspend the four for the rest of the session. He said these MPs have shown “utter disregard” for the authority of the Chair and a “serious note of their misconduct” had been taken by the House.

    Earlier, Speaker Om Birla had warned the protesting members, including from the Congress, TMC and DMK, that those who continue to shout slogans and display placards will have to do it outside the House after 3 pm.

    As the other opposition members continued to protest, a visibly peeved Birla told them that the government was ready to discuss issues raised by them and stressed that people want the House to function. Birla then adjourned the House till 3 pm.

    However, as the House proceedings resumed, waving of placards and sloganeering continued, drowning the voices of members participating in the Zero Hour.

    Rajendra Agarwal, who was chairing the proceedings, asked the opposition members to take note of the warning given by the Speaker. He said that the members who had been suspended had shown “stubborn behaviour”, “deliberately and continuously disrupted proceedings” and ignored House rules and directions of the Speaker.

    The House then passed the resolution by a voice vote and Agarwal announced their suspension. He then asked the members named in the resolution to immediately leave the House.

    At a press conference, Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said there is a tradition in Parliament that suspension is done only in exceptional and rarest of rare circumstances when the member is unruly and there is no other option but to suspend that member.

    “It is a tradition of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha that the member comes to the well of the House, it gets adjourned, there is a dialogue, a middle path is found and work goes on. Suspension is not the way and in the past, the suspension has not happened in this manner,” he said. “Suspension instead of dialogue is a blot on democracy,” he said.

    Congress’ leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the government wants to “throttle” the voice of the Opposition by resorting to “tactics of intimidation”.

    “Our demands are very simple, since day one and before the commencement of the House at the all-party meeting in the presence of Rajnath Singh, the entire Opposition had in one voice called for discussion on price rise,” he said.

    The price rise issue needs to be discussed forthwith because all people have been the victim of this, Chowdhury said.

    “But the government on one pretext or another is shying away from having a discussion on price rise. So finding no alternative in Parliament, where it is our duty to raise the issues of the common people, we were shouting that this issue should be discussed,” he said.

    “This government has resorted to a brutal measure by suspending our MPs only to throttle the voice of the Opposition. It is an anathema to the democratic ethos of our country. Day in and day out, the rights of the people, the institution of democracy is being trampled upon,” he said.

    Speaking to reporters along with the four suspended MPs outside the House, Congress’ deputy leader in LS Gaurav Gogoi said, “The government is trying to intimidate us by suspending our MPs. What was their fault? They were trying to raise the issues which matter to people.”

    The Congress party will not be cowed down like this, he asserted. The MPs were holding placards raising the issues of rising prices of gas cylinders, imposition of GST on items such as flour and buttermilk. “We moved an adjournment motion demanding a discussion on these issues, but no discussion was held,” he said.

    Tagore, one of the suspended MPs, alleged that the government “only hears the voice of the fourth-richest man in the world and not the common man.”

    Later talking to reporters, Joshi said the government has been saying that it is “ready for discussion on price rise as soon as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recovers from Covid.”

    Joshi termed the conduct of suspended Congress MPs in the House “unacceptable” and said, “placing placards in front of the Lok Sabha Speaker chair is not the way to protest.” “They were doing this after being warned by the Speaker,” he said.

    Joshi, who had moved the motion to suspend these MPs, said he had personally told the Congress leaders of both LS and RS that the government was ready for discussion on price rise.

    “But the Congress MPs’ action in the House shows they don’t respect the chair and the house. The action taken against them is appropriate,” he said.

    NEW DELHI: Four Congress Lok Sabha members were suspended on Monday for the rest of the Monsoon session after Speaker Om Birla took a stern view of the continuous disruptions by them, evoking a sharp reaction from the party, which termed the action against its MPs a “blot on democracy”.

    The suspension of Congress MPs –Manickam Tagore, TN Prathapan, Ramya Haridas and Jothimani– under Rule 374 for obstructing the functioning of the House, came amidst continuous demand of the Opposition for a discussion on price rise and hike in GST rates.

    Defending the suspension of these MPs from Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the government is ready for discussion on price rise, but the MPs did not respect the chair and created a ruckus by violating the laws.

    As the protesting opposition members again stalled Lok Sabha proceedings on Monday after the near washout first week of the current session, the Chair named the Congress MPs.

    When members are named, they have to immediately withdraw from the chamber of the House. Joshi then moved a resolution to suspend the four for the rest of the session. He said these MPs have shown “utter disregard” for the authority of the Chair and a “serious note of their misconduct” had been taken by the House.

    Earlier, Speaker Om Birla had warned the protesting members, including from the Congress, TMC and DMK, that those who continue to shout slogans and display placards will have to do it outside the House after 3 pm.

    As the other opposition members continued to protest, a visibly peeved Birla told them that the government was ready to discuss issues raised by them and stressed that people want the House to function. Birla then adjourned the House till 3 pm.

    However, as the House proceedings resumed, waving of placards and sloganeering continued, drowning the voices of members participating in the Zero Hour.

    Rajendra Agarwal, who was chairing the proceedings, asked the opposition members to take note of the warning given by the Speaker. He said that the members who had been suspended had shown “stubborn behaviour”, “deliberately and continuously disrupted proceedings” and ignored House rules and directions of the Speaker.

    The House then passed the resolution by a voice vote and Agarwal announced their suspension. He then asked the members named in the resolution to immediately leave the House.

    At a press conference, Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said there is a tradition in Parliament that suspension is done only in exceptional and rarest of rare circumstances when the member is unruly and there is no other option but to suspend that member.

    “It is a tradition of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha that the member comes to the well of the House, it gets adjourned, there is a dialogue, a middle path is found and work goes on. Suspension is not the way and in the past, the suspension has not happened in this manner,” he said. “Suspension instead of dialogue is a blot on democracy,” he said.

    Congress’ leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the government wants to “throttle” the voice of the Opposition by resorting to “tactics of intimidation”.

    “Our demands are very simple, since day one and before the commencement of the House at the all-party meeting in the presence of Rajnath Singh, the entire Opposition had in one voice called for discussion on price rise,” he said.

    The price rise issue needs to be discussed forthwith because all people have been the victim of this, Chowdhury said.

    “But the government on one pretext or another is shying away from having a discussion on price rise. So finding no alternative in Parliament, where it is our duty to raise the issues of the common people, we were shouting that this issue should be discussed,” he said.

    “This government has resorted to a brutal measure by suspending our MPs only to throttle the voice of the Opposition. It is an anathema to the democratic ethos of our country. Day in and day out, the rights of the people, the institution of democracy is being trampled upon,” he said.

    Speaking to reporters along with the four suspended MPs outside the House, Congress’ deputy leader in LS Gaurav Gogoi said, “The government is trying to intimidate us by suspending our MPs. What was their fault? They were trying to raise the issues which matter to people.”

    The Congress party will not be cowed down like this, he asserted. The MPs were holding placards raising the issues of rising prices of gas cylinders, imposition of GST on items such as flour and buttermilk. “We moved an adjournment motion demanding a discussion on these issues, but no discussion was held,” he said.

    Tagore, one of the suspended MPs, alleged that the government “only hears the voice of the fourth-richest man in the world and not the common man.”

    Later talking to reporters, Joshi said the government has been saying that it is “ready for discussion on price rise as soon as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recovers from Covid.”

    Joshi termed the conduct of suspended Congress MPs in the House “unacceptable” and said, “placing placards in front of the Lok Sabha Speaker chair is not the way to protest.” “They were doing this after being warned by the Speaker,” he said.

    Joshi, who had moved the motion to suspend these MPs, said he had personally told the Congress leaders of both LS and RS that the government was ready for discussion on price rise.

    “But the Congress MPs’ action in the House shows they don’t respect the chair and the house. The action taken against them is appropriate,” he said.

  • Jaishankar to brief parties on Modi government’s intervention in Sri Lanka

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will brief representatives of all political parties following appeals by the AIADMK and the DMK to the Narendra Modi government to intervene in the political and economic crisis in Sri Lanka.

    This was confirmed here today by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi. Citing a July 16 office memorandum, a senior government official said that the briefing by the finance and external affairs ministries was scheduled for the evening of July 19, the second day of the monsoon session of Parliament.

    The DMK and the AIADMK demanded at a meeting of political parties ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament an Indian intervention in Sri Lanka which is faced with its worst economic emergency since its independence. The DMK’s T R Baalu and the AIADMK’s M Thambudurai raised the condition of Sri Lanka’s Tamil population. The AIADMK is a coalition partner of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

    While India’s position so far has been to not intervene politically in Sri Lanka, it has dispatched aid through other channels. This was evident in a Ministry of External Affairs statement last week, which said that “India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realise their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means values, established institutions and constitutional framework”.

    It is clear that Jaishankar and Sitharaman will brief on their respective domains. While the External Affairs Minister will focus on India’s position, especially in the context of the political instability in Sri Lanka and the role it could play in seeing a stable regime in Colombo, Sitharaman will emphasise on the crippled economy and the extent to which New Delhi could go to pull the island nation out of the morass.

    The government’s decision to brief representatives of political parties comes in the wake of the Indian High Commission to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay’s assurance to Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana on July 16. Baglay and Abetwardana’s meeting took place a day after the latter accepted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation that was sent in after his exit from the country.

    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will brief representatives of all political parties following appeals by the AIADMK and the DMK to the Narendra Modi government to intervene in the political and economic crisis in Sri Lanka.

    This was confirmed here today by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi. Citing a July 16 office memorandum, a senior government official said that the briefing by the finance and external affairs ministries was scheduled for the evening of July 19, the second day of the monsoon session of Parliament.

    The DMK and the AIADMK demanded at a meeting of political parties ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament an Indian intervention in Sri Lanka which is faced with its worst economic emergency since its independence. The DMK’s T R Baalu and the AIADMK’s M Thambudurai raised the condition of Sri Lanka’s Tamil population. The AIADMK is a coalition partner of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

    While India’s position so far has been to not intervene politically in Sri Lanka, it has dispatched aid through other channels. This was evident in a Ministry of External Affairs statement last week, which said that “India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realise their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means values, established institutions and constitutional framework”.

    It is clear that Jaishankar and Sitharaman will brief on their respective domains. While the External Affairs Minister will focus on India’s position, especially in the context of the political instability in Sri Lanka and the role it could play in seeing a stable regime in Colombo, Sitharaman will emphasise on the crippled economy and the extent to which New Delhi could go to pull the island nation out of the morass.

    The government’s decision to brief representatives of political parties comes in the wake of the Indian High Commission to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay’s assurance to Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana on July 16. Baglay and Abetwardana’s meeting took place a day after the latter accepted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation that was sent in after his exit from the country.

  • Sri Lankan economic crisis: Centre calls all-party meet on Tuesday

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The government has called an all-party meeting Tuesday on the Sri Lankan crisis which will be briefed by Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said.

    During a meeting of parties convened on Sunday ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Tamil Nadu-based DMK and AIADMK demanded India intervene in the neighbouring country which is facing a debilitating economic crisis.

    During the Sunday meet, both DMK and AIADMK raised the Sri Lankan issue, especially the condition of the country’s Tamil population.

    Talking to reporters after the meeting, NDA constituent DMK leader M Thambidurai said India should intervene to resolve the crisis in Sri Lanka.

    Party leader TR Baalu also demanded India’s intervention in addressing the situation confronting the island nation.

    Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis in seven decades, with a severe foreign exchange shortage hampering the import of essentials including food, fuel and medicines.

    The economic crisis also sparked a political crisis in the country after a popular uprising against the government.

    NEW DELHI: The government has called an all-party meeting Tuesday on the Sri Lankan crisis which will be briefed by Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said.

    During a meeting of parties convened on Sunday ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Tamil Nadu-based DMK and AIADMK demanded India intervene in the neighbouring country which is facing a debilitating economic crisis.

    During the Sunday meet, both DMK and AIADMK raised the Sri Lankan issue, especially the condition of the country’s Tamil population.

    Talking to reporters after the meeting, NDA constituent DMK leader M Thambidurai said India should intervene to resolve the crisis in Sri Lanka.

    Party leader TR Baalu also demanded India’s intervention in addressing the situation confronting the island nation.

    Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis in seven decades, with a severe foreign exchange shortage hampering the import of essentials including food, fuel and medicines.

    The economic crisis also sparked a political crisis in the country after a popular uprising against the government.

  • Opposition making issues out of non-issues: Union minister Pralhad Joshi after all-party meeting

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The government on Sunday hit out at the opposition, saying it was making issues out of non-issues and trying to belittle the image of Parliament.

    Addressing reporters after the all-party meeting ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament which was attended by leaders of various parties, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi also said that the government was open for discussion on all issues under rules and procedures of Parliament.

    Condemning the opposition for creating a row over unparliamentary words and circulars issued in routine for the past several years, he said such a practice is being carried on since 1954 when the first such list was brought out, and said the opposition was doing so as it was devoid of any issues against the government.

    Joshi claimed the government was “doing good work” and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was recognised not just by people within India but also those abroad.

    “The opposition is trying to make issues out of non-issues as they do not have anything against the Government,” Joshi told reporters after the all-party meet.

    “The Opposition is trying to belittle the image of Parliament,” he said on the row over unparliamentary words.

    “No word has been barred from use in Parliament and the Lok Sabha Secretariat has been bringing out such a list of unparliamentary words since 1954,” Joshi also said.

    On the opposition criticism over the absence of prime minister from the all-party meeting, the minister said, “The prime minister never attended all-party meetings before 2014 when Congress was in power”.

    He also stated that the government would hold an all-party meeting on the Sri Lanka situation on Tuesday which will be chaired by Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar.

    NEW DELHI: The government on Sunday hit out at the opposition, saying it was making issues out of non-issues and trying to belittle the image of Parliament.

    Addressing reporters after the all-party meeting ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament which was attended by leaders of various parties, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi also said that the government was open for discussion on all issues under rules and procedures of Parliament.

    Condemning the opposition for creating a row over unparliamentary words and circulars issued in routine for the past several years, he said such a practice is being carried on since 1954 when the first such list was brought out, and said the opposition was doing so as it was devoid of any issues against the government.

    Joshi claimed the government was “doing good work” and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was recognised not just by people within India but also those abroad.

    “The opposition is trying to make issues out of non-issues as they do not have anything against the Government,” Joshi told reporters after the all-party meet.

    “The Opposition is trying to belittle the image of Parliament,” he said on the row over unparliamentary words.

    “No word has been barred from use in Parliament and the Lok Sabha Secretariat has been bringing out such a list of unparliamentary words since 1954,” Joshi also said.

    On the opposition criticism over the absence of prime minister from the all-party meeting, the minister said, “The prime minister never attended all-party meetings before 2014 when Congress was in power”.

    He also stated that the government would hold an all-party meeting on the Sri Lanka situation on Tuesday which will be chaired by Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar.

  • Other countries lauding India’s COVID vaccination success: Union minister Pralhad Joshi

    By Express News Service

    HUBBALLI: Appreciating how India carried out the vaccination drive against COVID-19, Union minister Pralhad Joshi stated that several other countries are perplexed by India’s success.

    Taking part in the vaccination camp for children aged 15-18 years at Fatima School here on Tuesday, the minister said that so far, the country has administered around 158 crore doses of the vaccine. 

    When he shared this info with some of his foreign counterparts, they were not ready to believe the numbers, he claimed, adding that they were astounded by the progress that India has achieved in the fight against the COVID pandemic. 

  • Congress casting aspersions on Rajya Sabha chairman ‘a disfavour to truth, democracy’: Joshi

    Taking on the opposition, Joshi in a statement said it was painful that some members of the opposition reduced the temple of democracy to a theatre of street fight.