News Analysis India

Tag: Rajya Sabha

  • 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.”

  • Ready to discuss Manipur on Aug 11, have nothing to hide; Amit Shah in RS 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the government is ready for a discussion on the Manipur issue on August 11 and claimed that it was the opposition that was running away from it.

    The discussion on the no-confidence motion will be taken up in the Lok Sabha from August 8 to 10.

    The motion was moved by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi to force Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak on the contentious Manipur issue.

    During a debate in the Rajya Sabha on the Delhi services bill, Shah said that he has written to the House chairman that he is ready to debate on the Manipur issue.

    “I am ready to discuss Manipur on August 11 and we have nothing to hide. You have many things to hide so you all do not want to talk,” he said.

    The home minister said that he is ready to answer all queries of the members as it is his constitutional obligation.

    Shah said the opposition is seeking discussions under Rule 267, which has a voting provision and is for different purposes.

    When a member from the opposition asked him to hold a discussion on Manipur right away, the home minister said it is not possible now and neither from August 8 to 10 as the Congress has brought a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha which will be discussed on those three days.

    “I have already written to you before the start of the Monsoon session for holding a debate on the Manipur situation, but you have not agreed. They do not want a discussion on Manipur and are running away,” he charged.

    “The question is Manipur situation and what steps the government is taking there, not a show of strength by voting. If you want to vote, I dare you to make this bill fall through voting,” Shah said during the debate on the Delhi services bill.

    The opposition has been demanding a debate on Manipur in both houses of Parliament and a statement from the prime minister.

    “If Kharge Sahab (leader of the opposition) agrees to a discussion, I am ready for that,” Shah added.

    NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the government is ready for a discussion on the Manipur issue on August 11 and claimed that it was the opposition that was running away from it.

    The discussion on the no-confidence motion will be taken up in the Lok Sabha from August 8 to 10.

    The motion was moved by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi to force Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak on the contentious Manipur issue.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    During a debate in the Rajya Sabha on the Delhi services bill, Shah said that he has written to the House chairman that he is ready to debate on the Manipur issue.

    “I am ready to discuss Manipur on August 11 and we have nothing to hide. You have many things to hide so you all do not want to talk,” he said.

    The home minister said that he is ready to answer all queries of the members as it is his constitutional obligation.

    Shah said the opposition is seeking discussions under Rule 267, which has a voting provision and is for different purposes.

    When a member from the opposition asked him to hold a discussion on Manipur right away, the home minister said it is not possible now and neither from August 8 to 10 as the Congress has brought a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha which will be discussed on those three days.

    “I have already written to you before the start of the Monsoon session for holding a debate on the Manipur situation, but you have not agreed. They do not want a discussion on Manipur and are running away,” he charged.

    “The question is Manipur situation and what steps the government is taking there, not a show of strength by voting. If you want to vote, I dare you to make this bill fall through voting,” Shah said during the debate on the Delhi services bill.

    The opposition has been demanding a debate on Manipur in both houses of Parliament and a statement from the prime minister.

    “If Kharge Sahab (leader of the opposition) agrees to a discussion, I am ready for that,” Shah added.

  • Delhi Services Bill passed in Rajya Sabha

    By Online Desk

    The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 131 votes.

    102 opposition MPs voted against the Delhi Bill.

    #WATCH | Rajya Sabha passes Delhi Services Bill with Ayes-131, Noes-102. pic.twitter.com/9Zv4jzi8IF
    — ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2023
    The Delhi Services Bill seeks to replace the existing central government’s ordinance on the transfer and posting of officers. The ordinance was brought in just days after the Supreme Court gave executive powers to the Delhi government in service matters. 

    The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on August 3.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in Rajya Sabha today amid sloganeering by Opposition MPs over the Manipur issue.

    The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 131 votes.

    102 opposition MPs voted against the Delhi Bill.

    #WATCH | Rajya Sabha passes Delhi Services Bill with Ayes-131, Noes-102. pic.twitter.com/9Zv4jzi8IFgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
    — ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2023
    The Delhi Services Bill seeks to replace the existing central government’s ordinance on the transfer and posting of officers. The ordinance was brought in just days after the Supreme Court gave executive powers to the Delhi government in service matters. 

    The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on August 3.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in Rajya Sabha today amid sloganeering by Opposition MPs over the Manipur issue.

  • Parliament adjourned till noon amid opposition protests over Manipur

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha proceedings on Tuesday were adjourned till noon amid protest by opposition parties demanding discussion on the Manipur issue in the House.

    Soon after the listed papers were tabled in the House, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed anguish over repeated disruptions of the proceedings in the House on the “same issue”.

    He said a short-duration discussion on the issue was scheduled the previous day, but it could not take place.

    Dhankhar also did not approve 60 notices for taking up discussion on the Manipur issue under Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha which allows for suspension of the day’s business to debate on any issue suggested by a member.

    Meanwhile, opposition members started raising slogans. Around 11.25 am, the Chair adjourn House proceedings till noon.

    Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Tuesday following protests by opposition members on the Manipur issue.

    As soon as the House met for the day, opposition members started shouting slogans and held up placards Some of them were in the Well of the House while some stood near the Speaker’s Chair, holding placards, as they sought to raise the Manipur issue.

    Speaker Om Birla told the protesting members that they will be given time to raise the issues.

    BSP member Kunwar Danish Ali, standing in his seat, raised slogans on the violence in Nuh in Haryana.

    “Sir, Nuh jal raha hai (Nuh is burning),” he said, addressing the Speaker.

    Three questions and related supplementary were taken up during Question Hour, which went on for around 15 minutes.

    However, as the protests continued, the proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm.

    Protests on the Manipur violence have been disrupting Lok Sabha proceedings since the start of the Monsoon session on July 20.

    NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha proceedings on Tuesday were adjourned till noon amid protest by opposition parties demanding discussion on the Manipur issue in the House.

    Soon after the listed papers were tabled in the House, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed anguish over repeated disruptions of the proceedings in the House on the “same issue”.

    He said a short-duration discussion on the issue was scheduled the previous day, but it could not take place.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Dhankhar also did not approve 60 notices for taking up discussion on the Manipur issue under Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha which allows for suspension of the day’s business to debate on any issue suggested by a member.

    Meanwhile, opposition members started raising slogans. Around 11.25 am, the Chair adjourn House proceedings till noon.

    Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Tuesday following protests by opposition members on the Manipur issue.

    As soon as the House met for the day, opposition members started shouting slogans and held up placards Some of them were in the Well of the House while some stood near the Speaker’s Chair, holding placards, as they sought to raise the Manipur issue.

    Speaker Om Birla told the protesting members that they will be given time to raise the issues.

    BSP member Kunwar Danish Ali, standing in his seat, raised slogans on the violence in Nuh in Haryana.

    “Sir, Nuh jal raha hai (Nuh is burning),” he said, addressing the Speaker.

    Three questions and related supplementary were taken up during Question Hour, which went on for around 15 minutes.

    However, as the protests continued, the proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm.

    Protests on the Manipur violence have been disrupting Lok Sabha proceedings since the start of the Monsoon session on July 20.

  • Parliament monsoon session: Oppn continues protests over Manipur, Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm

    Express News Service

    DELHI: The Upper House of Parliament on Thursday witnessed a very heated exchange of barbs between the members of the treasury bench ( ruling BJP) and INDIA, the new alliance of the Opposition parties, during the session.

    Attending the session donning black colour dress, the Opposition members continued sloganeering against PM Narendra Modi for his reluctance in giving a statement on the Manipur issue. The Opposition members disrupted the speech of EAM S Jaishankar, who was informing the House about India’s foreign policy and the outcomes of PM Modi’s foreign visits.

    Irked at the commotion created by the Opposition members, Harivarshan Narayan Singh, the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha said that “EAM is delivering a historic speech on the country’s foreign reputation and success.”And you people must acknowledge all these instead of creating disruptions”.

    The members of the treasury bench also turned aggressive and started attacking the Opposition wearing black coloured dresses. Leader of the House Piyush Goyal turned lashed out at the opposition members for wearing black dresses saying their future in politics is also black.

    Other members of the BJP started massive sloganeering against the Opposition citing “Kala kapra kala dhan nahi sahega Hindustan” (Black clothes and black money will not be tolerated by Hindustan). EAM S Jaishankar later slammed the Opposition outside the session adjournment. Slamming the Opposition, Jaishankar said that they claim to be INDIA but don’t want to hear about the country’s achievements and reputation in foreign countries.

    Following the ruckus, the Chairman adjourned the Rajya Sabha till 2 pm.

    DELHI: The Upper House of Parliament on Thursday witnessed a very heated exchange of barbs between the members of the treasury bench ( ruling BJP) and INDIA, the new alliance of the Opposition parties, during the session.

    Attending the session donning black colour dress, the Opposition members continued sloganeering against PM Narendra Modi for his reluctance in giving a statement on the Manipur issue. The Opposition members disrupted the speech of EAM S Jaishankar, who was informing the House about India’s foreign policy and the outcomes of PM Modi’s foreign visits.

    Irked at the commotion created by the Opposition members, Harivarshan Narayan Singh, the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha said that “EAM is delivering a historic speech on the country’s foreign reputation and success.”And you people must acknowledge all these instead of creating disruptions”.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The members of the treasury bench also turned aggressive and started attacking the Opposition wearing black coloured dresses. Leader of the House Piyush Goyal turned lashed out at the opposition members for wearing black dresses saying their future in politics is also black.

    Other members of the BJP started massive sloganeering against the Opposition citing “Kala kapra kala dhan nahi sahega Hindustan” (Black clothes and black money will not be tolerated by Hindustan). EAM S Jaishankar later slammed the Opposition outside the session adjournment. Slamming the Opposition, Jaishankar said that they claim to be INDIA but don’t want to hear about the country’s achievements and reputation in foreign countries.

    Following the ruckus, the Chairman adjourned the Rajya Sabha till 2 pm.

  • 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.
     

  • Dhankhar reconstitutes Rajya Sabha panel of vice-chairpersons, half of them women

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday reconstituted the panel of vice-chairpersons of Parliament’s upper house with half of them being women.

    The House members were informed that the panel of vice chairpersons has been reconstituted with effect from July 17, 2023, he said.

    Among the Rajya Sabha members who are the new vice-chairpersons are P T Usha, S Phangnon Konyak, Fauzia Khan, Sulata Deo, V Vijaysai Reddy, Ghanshyam Tiwari, L Hanumanthaiah and Sukhendu Sekhar Ray.

    “Members will be happy to note that 50 per cent of vice-chairpersons happen to be women,” the chairman said.

    As per Rajya Sabha rules, “The chairman shall, from time to time, nominate from amongst the members of the Council a panel of not more than six vice-chairmen, one of whom may preside over the Council in the absence of the chairman and the deputy chairman when so requested by the chairman, or in his absence, by the deputy chairman. A vice-chairperson nominated under sub-rule (1) shall hold office until a new panel of vice-chairperson is nominated, the rules say.”

    Soon after the Rajya Sabha met after an hour’s adjournment, the chairman greeted the House members on their birthdays, wishing Rajmani Patel of the Congress, and Laxmikant Bajpayee and Sangeeta Yadav, both of the BJP.

    “On my own and your behalf I wish them a long, healthy and happy life and be ever in the service of the nation,” he said.

    Dhankhar also said that he has received a letter dated April 11, 2023, from Luizinho Faleiro, a Rajya Sabha member from West Bengal, resigning from his seat, which he has accepted.

    “I have accepted his resignation with effect from April 11, 2023,” the chairman informed the house.

    NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday reconstituted the panel of vice-chairpersons of Parliament’s upper house with half of them being women.

    The House members were informed that the panel of vice chairpersons has been reconstituted with effect from July 17, 2023, he said.

    Among the Rajya Sabha members who are the new vice-chairpersons are P T Usha, S Phangnon Konyak, Fauzia Khan, Sulata Deo, V Vijaysai Reddy, Ghanshyam Tiwari, L Hanumanthaiah and Sukhendu Sekhar Ray.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “Members will be happy to note that 50 per cent of vice-chairpersons happen to be women,” the chairman said.

    As per Rajya Sabha rules, “The chairman shall, from time to time, nominate from amongst the members of the Council a panel of not more than six vice-chairmen, one of whom may preside over the Council in the absence of the chairman and the deputy chairman when so requested by the chairman, or in his absence, by the deputy chairman. A vice-chairperson nominated under sub-rule (1) shall hold office until a new panel of vice-chairperson is nominated, the rules say.”

    Soon after the Rajya Sabha met after an hour’s adjournment, the chairman greeted the House members on their birthdays, wishing Rajmani Patel of the Congress, and Laxmikant Bajpayee and Sangeeta Yadav, both of the BJP.

    “On my own and your behalf I wish them a long, healthy and happy life and be ever in the service of the nation,” he said.

    Dhankhar also said that he has received a letter dated April 11, 2023, from Luizinho Faleiro, a Rajya Sabha member from West Bengal, resigning from his seat, which he has accepted.

    “I have accepted his resignation with effect from April 11, 2023,” the chairman informed the house.

  • 16 students died by suicide in IITs, NITs & IIMs in 2022

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Sixteen students, including eight from IITs, died by suicide in 2022,  and the reason was academic stress, family and personal reasons, mental health issues, etc, the Rajya Sabha was informed Wednesday.

    In 2023, six cases were reported, three each from the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) and the National Institute of Technology (NITs).

    In 2019, 16 students – eight each from IITs and NITs – died by suicide.  

    In 2021, seven students – four – from IITs – took the extreme step, while in 2020, five students – three from IITs – died by suicide.

    In a written reply, Minister of State for Education Dr Subhas Sarkar said, “The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provisions for counselling systems for handling stress and emotional adjustments in Institutions.”

    It also provides opportunities for students participation in sports, culture/arts clubs, eco-clubs, activity clubs, community service projects, etc.

    Further, in alignment with the NEP, to eradicate language barriers for the students for an improved understanding and improved teaching learning outcome, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has initiated the work of translation of technical books in 12 scheduled regional languages.

    The minister said the University Grants Commission (UGC) has also circulated the National Suicide Prevention Strategy formulated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on January 6.

     The ministry has undertaken various steps such as peer-assisted learning, the introduction of technical education in regional languages for students in order to ease academic stress.

    The minister said the government’s initiative, named MANODARPAN, covers a wide range of activities to provide psychological support to students, teachers and families for mental and emotional well-being during the Covid outbreak and beyond.

    The ministry has also advised the institutions to make the system more robust which would include prevention, detection and remedial measures for addressing the possible causes of suicides.

    ALSO READ | India’s educational institutions must do better to support persons with special needs. Here’s why

    The higher educational institutions take various steps such as conducting workshops/seminars on happiness and wellness, regular sessions on Yoga, induction programs, extracurricular activities including sports and cultural activities, assigning one faculty adviser per 10 students to support with their academics and monitor their progress, and appointment of Student Counsellors for overall personality development and de-stressing students.

    Further, students, wardens, and caretakers are sensitized to bring to notice the signs of depression in fellow students to the authorities so that timely clinical consultation may be provided, Sarkar said.

    Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. In case you feel distressed by the content or know someone in distress, call Sneha Foundation – 04424640050 (available 24×7).

    NEW DELHI: Sixteen students, including eight from IITs, died by suicide in 2022,  and the reason was academic stress, family and personal reasons, mental health issues, etc, the Rajya Sabha was informed Wednesday.

    In 2023, six cases were reported, three each from the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) and the National Institute of Technology (NITs).

    In 2019, 16 students – eight each from IITs and NITs – died by suicide.  googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    In 2021, seven students – four – from IITs – took the extreme step, while in 2020, five students – three from IITs – died by suicide.

    In a written reply, Minister of State for Education Dr Subhas Sarkar said, “The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provisions for counselling systems for handling stress and emotional adjustments in Institutions.”

    It also provides opportunities for students participation in sports, culture/arts clubs, eco-clubs, activity clubs, community service projects, etc.

    Further, in alignment with the NEP, to eradicate language barriers for the students for an improved understanding and improved teaching learning outcome, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has initiated the work of translation of technical books in 12 scheduled regional languages.

    The minister said the University Grants Commission (UGC) has also circulated the National Suicide Prevention Strategy formulated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on January 6.

     The ministry has undertaken various steps such as peer-assisted learning, the introduction of technical education in regional languages for students in order to ease academic stress.

    The minister said the government’s initiative, named MANODARPAN, covers a wide range of activities to provide psychological support to students, teachers and families for mental and emotional well-being during the Covid outbreak and beyond.

    The ministry has also advised the institutions to make the system more robust which would include prevention, detection and remedial measures for addressing the possible causes of suicides.

    ALSO READ | India’s educational institutions must do better to support persons with special needs. Here’s why

    The higher educational institutions take various steps such as conducting workshops/seminars on happiness and wellness, regular sessions on Yoga, induction programs, extracurricular activities including sports and cultural activities, assigning one faculty adviser per 10 students to support with their academics and monitor their progress, and appointment of Student Counsellors for overall personality development and de-stressing students.

    Further, students, wardens, and caretakers are sensitized to bring to notice the signs of depression in fellow students to the authorities so that timely clinical consultation may be provided, Sarkar said.

    Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. In case you feel distressed by the content or know someone in distress, call Sneha Foundation – 04424640050 (available 24×7).

  • Rajya Sabha adjourned for day amid uproar over Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in UK

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Monday as ruling BJP and opposition MPs continued to trade charges over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s “democracy under attack” remarks in the UK.

    As the Upper House resumed for the afternoon session, having been adjourned earlier in the pre-lunch session, Leader of the House and Union minister Piyush Goyal said he had raised a serious matter in the morning regarding a senior Congress leader going abroad and stating that “democracy is in danger” in India and even sought the US and Europe to interfere in the country’s affairs.

    This House must condemn remarks by such a person, Goyal said without taking Gandhi’s name.

    When India is leading G20 through its presidency and the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being admired across the globe, a member of Lok Sabha goes abroad and defames the country, he said.

    Even the Italian Prime Minister has stated that PM Modi is today the most popular leader in the world which looks up to him to solve the global challenges, Goyal added.

    Till the time he (Gandhi) apologises for the allegations he made against the Indian press, Indian judiciary, Indian media, election commission and the Indian Army, the country will not forgive him, the Leader of the House asserted.

    Goyal had earlier in the day demanded that the “the leader should come to the House and apologise to the people of the country, to this House, to the chair. And he has to understand what democracy is.”

    Leader of the Opposition and Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge objected to Goyal’s demand citing two previous rulings, implying that no member of Rajya Sabha can raise an issue regarding a person who is not a member of the House and certainly one who is a member of the Lok Sabha.

    ALSO READ | BJP believes it will be in power ‘eternally’, but that’s not the case: Rahul in UK

    He cited a ruling given by late V V Giri on June 19, 1967 that “a member of one House should not use the freedom of speech on the floor of the House to make allegations or charge against the members of the other House” and another one made on March 17, 1983 by the then Vice-Chairman in favour of L K Advani which stated “before referring to a member of the other House, one has to exercise a lot of care and caution. Therefore, whatever he (Goyal) said it should be expunged.mThese are the rules and you have to follow,” Kharge said.

    To this, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, “I would first get an input from this House if you wish to make and seriously take this call.”

    Goyal said that he did not take anyone’s name and the opposition members were associating it to an individual by themselves and asked to whom the rulings that were cited by Kharge would apply.

    Congress leader Digvijay Singh alleged that this was the first time in his 45 years of being a member that the ruling party was not allowing the House to run and asserted it was the responsibility of the ruling party to ensure that the House runs.

    Bharat Rashtra Samithi member K Keshav said many members would have gone abroad and spoken in universities, and asked, “Don’t you speak the truth?” When Dhankhar noted the points raised by the Opposition and stated that of Goyal, who “has taken a stand that he has not named anyone”, treasury and opposition benches resumed trading charges against each other, forcing the Rajya Sabha chairman to adjourn the House for the day, saying he would give his ruling on the issue on Tuesday.

    Earlier in the pre-lunch session, while Goyal demanded that Gandhi come to the House and apologise for his “shameful” and “rubbish” statements made in London, Kharge countered by questioning how a leader who is not an MP of Rajya Sabha can be called to the House.

    Kharge also referred to statements that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made abroad.

    “In a shameful manner, an opposition leader in a foreign country talks ‘anap shanap’ (rubbish) about Indian democracy,” Goyal said.

    “He makes allegations against the Indian press, Indian judiciary, Indian media, election commission and the Indian Army,” he said.

    Gandhi also talked rubbish about a social welfare organisation, Goyal said, referring to the Congress leader’s statements against the RSS.

    Goyal went on to state that democracy was in danger when fundamental rights were suspended and the press muzzled during the Emergency imposed by Congress in 1975.

    “Democracy is in danger when the prime minister’s stature is challenged by the same leader by tearing legislation in front of the press.

    Democracy is in danger when the prime minister is forced to say I cannot stop corruption because it is a coalition government,” he said.

    His statements were countered by Kharge, who said the demand to call a leader who is not a member of Rajya Sabha to the House is condemnable.

    Gandhi is a Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad in Kerala.

    Kharge then recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement abroad but was interrupted by slogan shouting by treasury benches.

    Their slogans seeking apology from Gandhi drowned his voice.

    When Goyal, who was given the floor twice by the chair, spoke, the Congress and other opposition MPs vociferously protested and the treasury benches returned the favour when Kharge made his submission.

    The ruckus forced Chairman Dhankhar to adjourn the proceedings till 2 pm.

    Gandhi, during his recent visit to the UK, had alleged that the structures of Indian democracy were under “brutal attack” and there was a “full-scale assault” on the institutions of the country.

    NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Monday as ruling BJP and opposition MPs continued to trade charges over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s “democracy under attack” remarks in the UK.

    As the Upper House resumed for the afternoon session, having been adjourned earlier in the pre-lunch session, Leader of the House and Union minister Piyush Goyal said he had raised a serious matter in the morning regarding a senior Congress leader going abroad and stating that “democracy is in danger” in India and even sought the US and Europe to interfere in the country’s affairs.

    This House must condemn remarks by such a person, Goyal said without taking Gandhi’s name.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    When India is leading G20 through its presidency and the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being admired across the globe, a member of Lok Sabha goes abroad and defames the country, he said.

    Even the Italian Prime Minister has stated that PM Modi is today the most popular leader in the world which looks up to him to solve the global challenges, Goyal added.

    Till the time he (Gandhi) apologises for the allegations he made against the Indian press, Indian judiciary, Indian media, election commission and the Indian Army, the country will not forgive him, the Leader of the House asserted.

    Goyal had earlier in the day demanded that the “the leader should come to the House and apologise to the people of the country, to this House, to the chair. And he has to understand what democracy is.”

    Leader of the Opposition and Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge objected to Goyal’s demand citing two previous rulings, implying that no member of Rajya Sabha can raise an issue regarding a person who is not a member of the House and certainly one who is a member of the Lok Sabha.

    ALSO READ | BJP believes it will be in power ‘eternally’, but that’s not the case: Rahul in UK

    He cited a ruling given by late V V Giri on June 19, 1967 that “a member of one House should not use the freedom of speech on the floor of the House to make allegations or charge against the members of the other House” and another one made on March 17, 1983 by the then Vice-Chairman in favour of L K Advani which stated “before referring to a member of the other House, one has to exercise a lot of care and caution. Therefore, whatever he (Goyal) said it should be expunged.mThese are the rules and you have to follow,” Kharge said.

    To this, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, “I would first get an input from this House if you wish to make and seriously take this call.”

    Goyal said that he did not take anyone’s name and the opposition members were associating it to an individual by themselves and asked to whom the rulings that were cited by Kharge would apply.

    Congress leader Digvijay Singh alleged that this was the first time in his 45 years of being a member that the ruling party was not allowing the House to run and asserted it was the responsibility of the ruling party to ensure that the House runs.

    Bharat Rashtra Samithi member K Keshav said many members would have gone abroad and spoken in universities, and asked, “Don’t you speak the truth?” When Dhankhar noted the points raised by the Opposition and stated that of Goyal, who “has taken a stand that he has not named anyone”, treasury and opposition benches resumed trading charges against each other, forcing the Rajya Sabha chairman to adjourn the House for the day, saying he would give his ruling on the issue on Tuesday.

    Earlier in the pre-lunch session, while Goyal demanded that Gandhi come to the House and apologise for his “shameful” and “rubbish” statements made in London, Kharge countered by questioning how a leader who is not an MP of Rajya Sabha can be called to the House.

    Kharge also referred to statements that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made abroad.

    “In a shameful manner, an opposition leader in a foreign country talks ‘anap shanap’ (rubbish) about Indian democracy,” Goyal said.

    “He makes allegations against the Indian press, Indian judiciary, Indian media, election commission and the Indian Army,” he said.

    Gandhi also talked rubbish about a social welfare organisation, Goyal said, referring to the Congress leader’s statements against the RSS.

    Goyal went on to state that democracy was in danger when fundamental rights were suspended and the press muzzled during the Emergency imposed by Congress in 1975.

    “Democracy is in danger when the prime minister’s stature is challenged by the same leader by tearing legislation in front of the press.

    Democracy is in danger when the prime minister is forced to say I cannot stop corruption because it is a coalition government,” he said.

    His statements were countered by Kharge, who said the demand to call a leader who is not a member of Rajya Sabha to the House is condemnable.

    Gandhi is a Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad in Kerala.

    Kharge then recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement abroad but was interrupted by slogan shouting by treasury benches.

    Their slogans seeking apology from Gandhi drowned his voice.

    When Goyal, who was given the floor twice by the chair, spoke, the Congress and other opposition MPs vociferously protested and the treasury benches returned the favour when Kharge made his submission.

    The ruckus forced Chairman Dhankhar to adjourn the proceedings till 2 pm.

    Gandhi, during his recent visit to the UK, had alleged that the structures of Indian democracy were under “brutal attack” and there was a “full-scale assault” on the institutions of the country.

  • Politics over ‘deletion’ heats up in Parliament

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Taking exception to the removal of six comments he made in the speech on the motion of Thanks on President’s address, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday wrote to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar saying that he hasn’t made any personal charges and any rule of the House cannot subvert the constitutional guarantee of the freedom of speech.

    Demanding a JPC probe on the Hindenburg report on Adani Group, Kharge had attacked the Modi government on Wednesday, questioning its silence on the issue.On Thursday, the Upper House witnessed noisy scenes as Congress MPs objected to the deletion of Kharge’s remarks, pointing out that similar remarks made by former prime ministers Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh in the House continue to be part of the proceedings. Kharge said that he did not use any unparliamentary word or language or made any allegation on anyone.

    “Yet you picked out some words. I won’t say you misinterpreted them but if you had any doubt, you could have asked for clarification. But you deleted my words in six places” he told the House. “Former PM Vajpayee used a word against former PM P V Narasimha Rao and that word is still in the records,” said Kharge.In his letter to Dhankhar, Kharge pointed out that directions were made by the Chair on February 8 to authenticate six observations made by him during the speech.

    “The institution of Parliament of India is a platform to fix the accountability of the Executive. This necessitates that the policies and the decisions of the government are discussed, dissected and debated on the floor of the House. Any criticism of policies and decisions of the government and their fallouts cannot be construed as the allegation against any individual Member of the House,” he saidKharge further stated in his letter that Article 105 (1) of the Constitution of India guarantees freedom of speech for the Members of Parliament.

    “In consonance with this constitutional guarantee and rules of the House, a member is only required to authenticate any document that he lays on the table of the House. There is no convention or provision of authentication of points made in a speech on the floor of the House,” he said.On Wednesday, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha had removed 18 comments made by Rahul Gandhi during his speech on the motion of Thanks on President’s address. He had raised questions on Adani Group’s links with the government.  

    Kharge, in the letter said that it would be an inversion of the system of governance, if the opposition members are expected to gather evidence and then raise the matter on the floor of the House. “The arrangement, as I understand, is that the opposition member, or any private member, raises issues on the basis of inputs from media, reports in public domain, or even confidential personal information,” he said.“The member, after due-diligence, draws the attention of the House to such issues and it is incumbent upon the government to investigate the matter and take appropriate action in consonance with the law of the land,” Kharge said.

    Restore Rahul’s speech: Adhir writes to Speaker

    Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Thursday wrote to Speaker Om Birla urging him to revisit his decision to delete parts of Rahul Gandhi’s speech made during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. The leader asked the Speaker to restore Rahul s speech. “The freedom of speech that is available to MPs under Article 105(1) is wider in amplitude than the Right of Freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a),” he wrote.

    NEW DELHI: Taking exception to the removal of six comments he made in the speech on the motion of Thanks on President’s address, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday wrote to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar saying that he hasn’t made any personal charges and any rule of the House cannot subvert the constitutional guarantee of the freedom of speech.

    Demanding a JPC probe on the Hindenburg report on Adani Group, Kharge had attacked the Modi government on Wednesday, questioning its silence on the issue.On Thursday, the Upper House witnessed noisy scenes as Congress MPs objected to the deletion of Kharge’s remarks, pointing out that similar remarks made by former prime ministers Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh in the House continue to be part of the proceedings. Kharge said that he did not use any unparliamentary word or language or made any allegation on anyone.

    “Yet you picked out some words. I won’t say you misinterpreted them but if you had any doubt, you could have asked for clarification. But you deleted my words in six places” he told the House. “Former PM Vajpayee used a word against former PM P V Narasimha Rao and that word is still in the records,” said Kharge.In his letter to Dhankhar, Kharge pointed out that directions were made by the Chair on February 8 to authenticate six observations made by him during the speech.

    “The institution of Parliament of India is a platform to fix the accountability of the Executive. This necessitates that the policies and the decisions of the government are discussed, dissected and debated on the floor of the House. Any criticism of policies and decisions of the government and their fallouts cannot be construed as the allegation against any individual Member of the House,” he saidKharge further stated in his letter that Article 105 (1) of the Constitution of India guarantees freedom of speech for the Members of Parliament.

    “In consonance with this constitutional guarantee and rules of the House, a member is only required to authenticate any document that he lays on the table of the House. There is no convention or provision of authentication of points made in a speech on the floor of the House,” he said.On Wednesday, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha had removed 18 comments made by Rahul Gandhi during his speech on the motion of Thanks on President’s address. He had raised questions on Adani Group’s links with the government.  

    Kharge, in the letter said that it would be an inversion of the system of governance, if the opposition members are expected to gather evidence and then raise the matter on the floor of the House. “The arrangement, as I understand, is that the opposition member, or any private member, raises issues on the basis of inputs from media, reports in public domain, or even confidential personal information,” he said.
    “The member, after due-diligence, draws the attention of the House to such issues and it is incumbent upon the government to investigate the matter and take appropriate action in consonance with the law of the land,” Kharge said.

    Restore Rahul’s speech: Adhir writes to Speaker

    Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Thursday wrote to Speaker Om Birla urging him to revisit his decision to delete parts of Rahul Gandhi’s speech made during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. The leader asked the Speaker to restore Rahul s speech. “The freedom of speech that is available to MPs under Article 105(1) is wider in amplitude than the Right of Freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a),” he wrote.