News Analysis India

Tag: Rajya Sabha

  • 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.”

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Kharge writes to Naidu for expunging remarks by Sitharaman, Goyal on Sonia in RS

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday wrote to Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, requesting him to expunge the remarks made by Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal on Sonia Gandhi in the House.

    Kharge also demanded that the ministers should tender their apology for violating the conventions of the House.

    His letter came a day after Sitharaman and Goyal attacked Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for his “rashtrapatni” remark while referring to President Droupadi Murmu.

    Both the ministers also hit out at Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and demanded an apology from her.

    In his letter, Kharge said as per Parliamentary practices and conventions critical remarks should not be made on the other House or members of the other House.

    He also cited a ruling made by former RS Chairman R Venkataraman on April 15, 1987, wherein he observed that “No person who is not a member of this House can be referred to in the House in a derogatory manner or in any other way affecting his reputation”.

    The senior Congress leader said even the question of privilege cannot be raised directly in one house against members of the other House.

    In this regard, he said, a procedure has been laid down based on a report of Joint Sitting of Committees of Privileges of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha which was presented to both Houses on August 23, 1954 and later adopted by the Houses in December, 1954.

    “As per this procedure, when a question of breach of privilege or contempt of the House is raised in either of the House in which a member, officer or servant of the other House is involved, the procedure followed is that the Presiding Officer of the House in which the question of privilege is raised, refers the case to the Presiding Officer of the other House”, Kharge said.

    He said he mentioned this procedure to emphasise the sanctity of sovereignty of each House of Parliament and its members.

    “Hence mentioning and making remarks in regard to a member of the Lower House in the Upper House is a gross violation of the time-honoured conventions. Needless to mention, as Chairman of this august House, your good self would appreciate the need for adherence to well-established Parliamentary conventions and practices,” he said.

    “In view of my aforementioned submissions, I request you to kindly expunge the remarks made by Sitharaman and Goyal vis-a-vis Smt Sonia Gandhi in the House yesterday, 28 July, 2022. I also request that they tender their apology for their violation of sacrosanct conventions of the House,” Kharge said in his letter.

    On Thursday, the row over Chowdhury’s “rashtrapatni” remark escalated with the opposition party accusing BJP MPs of subjecting its president to “brutal heckling, verbal assault and physical intimidation” in the Lok Sabha.

    Demanding an apology from the Congress president, the finance minister had said Sonia Gandhi appointed Chowdhury as the leader in Lok Sabha to speak and he had insulted the President.

    NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday wrote to Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, requesting him to expunge the remarks made by Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal on Sonia Gandhi in the House.

    Kharge also demanded that the ministers should tender their apology for violating the conventions of the House.

    His letter came a day after Sitharaman and Goyal attacked Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for his “rashtrapatni” remark while referring to President Droupadi Murmu.

    Both the ministers also hit out at Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and demanded an apology from her.

    In his letter, Kharge said as per Parliamentary practices and conventions critical remarks should not be made on the other House or members of the other House.

    He also cited a ruling made by former RS Chairman R Venkataraman on April 15, 1987, wherein he observed that “No person who is not a member of this House can be referred to in the House in a derogatory manner or in any other way affecting his reputation”.

    The senior Congress leader said even the question of privilege cannot be raised directly in one house against members of the other House.

    In this regard, he said, a procedure has been laid down based on a report of Joint Sitting of Committees of Privileges of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha which was presented to both Houses on August 23, 1954 and later adopted by the Houses in December, 1954.

    “As per this procedure, when a question of breach of privilege or contempt of the House is raised in either of the House in which a member, officer or servant of the other House is involved, the procedure followed is that the Presiding Officer of the House in which the question of privilege is raised, refers the case to the Presiding Officer of the other House”, Kharge said.

    He said he mentioned this procedure to emphasise the sanctity of sovereignty of each House of Parliament and its members.

    “Hence mentioning and making remarks in regard to a member of the Lower House in the Upper House is a gross violation of the time-honoured conventions. Needless to mention, as Chairman of this august House, your good self would appreciate the need for adherence to well-established Parliamentary conventions and practices,” he said.

    “In view of my aforementioned submissions, I request you to kindly expunge the remarks made by Sitharaman and Goyal vis-a-vis Smt Sonia Gandhi in the House yesterday, 28 July, 2022. I also request that they tender their apology for their violation of sacrosanct conventions of the House,” Kharge said in his letter.

    On Thursday, the row over Chowdhury’s “rashtrapatni” remark escalated with the opposition party accusing BJP MPs of subjecting its president to “brutal heckling, verbal assault and physical intimidation” in the Lok Sabha.

    Demanding an apology from the Congress president, the finance minister had said Sonia Gandhi appointed Chowdhury as the leader in Lok Sabha to speak and he had insulted the President.

  • Three more Rajya Sabha members suspended for unruly behaviour

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha on Thursday adopted a motion to suspend three more members — AAP’s Sushil Kumar Gupta and Sandeep Kumar Pathak besides independent MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan — for the rest of the week for “unruly behaviour” in the House.

    Soon after the House met after the first adjournment, opposition members continued with their protest in the well of the house.

    Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh then named the three members for holding placards and shouting slogans in the well.

    Soon Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan moved a motion to suspend the three members from the House for the remainder of the week.

    The motion was passed by a voice vote.

    As some opposition members demanded a division of votes, Harivansh then asked the members to go to their seats to allow a division of votes.

    But the opposition members continued to raise an uproar.

    He then adjourned the House till 2 PM amid continued uproar by opposition members.

    So far 23 members of the opposition have been suspended by the Rajya Sabha for “unruly behaviour”.

    NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha on Thursday adopted a motion to suspend three more members — AAP’s Sushil Kumar Gupta and Sandeep Kumar Pathak besides independent MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan — for the rest of the week for “unruly behaviour” in the House.

    Soon after the House met after the first adjournment, opposition members continued with their protest in the well of the house.

    Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh then named the three members for holding placards and shouting slogans in the well.

    Soon Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan moved a motion to suspend the three members from the House for the remainder of the week.

    The motion was passed by a voice vote.

    As some opposition members demanded a division of votes, Harivansh then asked the members to go to their seats to allow a division of votes.

    But the opposition members continued to raise an uproar.

    He then adjourned the House till 2 PM amid continued uproar by opposition members.

    So far 23 members of the opposition have been suspended by the Rajya Sabha for “unruly behaviour”.

  • 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.

  • Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned for day amid opposition uproar over suspension of MPs

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha proceedings were on Wednesday adjourned for the day amid opposition uproar over the suspension of MPs and other issues.

    As soon as the proceedings commenced at 2 pm, opposition members, mostly from the AAP, trooped to the Well of the House. Bhubaneswar Kalita, who was in the chair, asked suspended AAP member Sanjay Singh to exit the House.

    The Opposition members, however, kept on raising slogans. With protesting MPs refusing to budge, Kalita adjourned the proceedings for the day.

    Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned thrice during the pre-lunch period amid uproar by the opposition members and Singh was suspended for the remainder of the week.

    On Wednesday, the Upper House was adjourned soon after it met at 11 am and then twice during the Question Hour – first for 15 minutes and then till 2 pm.

    NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha proceedings were on Wednesday adjourned for the day amid opposition uproar over the suspension of MPs and other issues.

    As soon as the proceedings commenced at 2 pm, opposition members, mostly from the AAP, trooped to the Well of the House. Bhubaneswar Kalita, who was in the chair, asked suspended AAP member Sanjay Singh to exit the House.

    The Opposition members, however, kept on raising slogans. With protesting MPs refusing to budge, Kalita adjourned the proceedings for the day.

    Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned thrice during the pre-lunch period amid uproar by the opposition members and Singh was suspended for the remainder of the week.

    On Wednesday, the Upper House was adjourned soon after it met at 11 am and then twice during the Question Hour – first for 15 minutes and then till 2 pm.

  • AAP member Sanjay Singh suspended from Rajya Sabha for remaining part of week

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday adopted a motion to suspend Aam Aadmi Party member Sanjay Singh for the remaining part of the week for his “unruly behaviour” in the House.

    The suspension comes a day after 19 MPs of opposition parties including seven from the TMC, six from the DMK, besides those from the TRS, CPI-M and CPI, were suspended for their unruly behaviour in the House.

    Soon after the House met for Question Hour at 12 noon, Deputy Chairman Harivansh invoked Rule 256 and named Singh for tearing papers and throwing it at the Chair on Tuesday. The deputy chairman said Singh’s action was in utter disregard of rules and the authority of the Chair.

    Soon thereafter, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan moved a motion to suspend Singh from the House for the remainder of the week.

    The motion was adopted by voice vote, even as opposition members continued to raise uproar in the well of the house.

    The deputy chairman asked Singh to leave the house soon after the motion was adopted. Amid continued sloganeering by opposition members, the deputy chairman adjourned the House briefly for 15 minutes.

    NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday adopted a motion to suspend Aam Aadmi Party member Sanjay Singh for the remaining part of the week for his “unruly behaviour” in the House.

    The suspension comes a day after 19 MPs of opposition parties including seven from the TMC, six from the DMK, besides those from the TRS, CPI-M and CPI, were suspended for their unruly behaviour in the House.

    Soon after the House met for Question Hour at 12 noon, Deputy Chairman Harivansh invoked Rule 256 and named Singh for tearing papers and throwing it at the Chair on Tuesday. The deputy chairman said Singh’s action was in utter disregard of rules and the authority of the Chair.

    Soon thereafter, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan moved a motion to suspend Singh from the House for the remainder of the week.

    The motion was adopted by voice vote, even as opposition members continued to raise uproar in the well of the house.

    The deputy chairman asked Singh to leave the house soon after the motion was adopted. Amid continued sloganeering by opposition members, the deputy chairman adjourned the House briefly for 15 minutes.

  • No night landing facility at 25 airports in India

    By IANS

    NEW DELHI: There are 25 airports across the country which don’t have night landing facilities. Kushinagar airport, Shimla airport and recently inaugurated Deoghar airport in Jharkhand are among the list of 25 airports.

    The ministry of civil aviation on Monday said in the Rajya Sabha that the upgradation or modernisation of airports, including provision of night landing facility is a continuous process and is undertaken by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other airport operators from time to time depending on the availability of land, commercial viability, socio- economic considerations, traffic demand and willingness of airlines to operate to/from such airports etc.

    “Presently night landing facility which is purely demand and need based on operational requirement of airlines and availability of land is not available at 25 operational airports with scheduled flight operations,” said the ministry.

    The list of airports not having night landing facility also include airports like Kullu and Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur and Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh, Kalaburagi in Karnataka, Kolhapur and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra and and Ludhiana in Punjab among others.

    AAI has undertaken installation of a night landing facility at Kolhapur airport. A team of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has carried out the inspection of the airport on June 10, 2022. AAI has already initiated action for compliance of the observations made by DGCA during the inspection.

    The country has over 100 operational airports and officials said that the airports not having night landing facilities are mostly those recording lower air passenger traffic. Airports Authority of India, which manages most of the airports in India, takes up a particular one for consideration for providing night landing facilities, when airlines show an interest during night operations.

    NEW DELHI: There are 25 airports across the country which don’t have night landing facilities. Kushinagar airport, Shimla airport and recently inaugurated Deoghar airport in Jharkhand are among the list of 25 airports.

    The ministry of civil aviation on Monday said in the Rajya Sabha that the upgradation or modernisation of airports, including provision of night landing facility is a continuous process and is undertaken by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other airport operators from time to time depending on the availability of land, commercial viability, socio- economic considerations, traffic demand and willingness of airlines to operate to/from such airports etc.

    “Presently night landing facility which is purely demand and need based on operational requirement of airlines and availability of land is not available at 25 operational airports with scheduled flight operations,” said the ministry.

    The list of airports not having night landing facility also include airports like Kullu and Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur and Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh, Kalaburagi in Karnataka, Kolhapur and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra and and Ludhiana in Punjab among others.

    AAI has undertaken installation of a night landing facility at Kolhapur airport. A team of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has carried out the inspection of the airport on June 10, 2022. AAI has already initiated action for compliance of the observations made by DGCA during the inspection.

    The country has over 100 operational airports and officials said that the airports not having night landing facilities are mostly those recording lower air passenger traffic. Airports Authority of India, which manages most of the airports in India, takes up a particular one for consideration for providing night landing facilities, when airlines show an interest during night operations.

  • Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned again following protests by Opposition over price rise

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2:30 PM on Friday following protests by the Opposition over price rise and other issues.

    This was the second adjournment before lunch as opposition parties led by Congress tried to raise issues of price rise and levy of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on daily essentials.

    When the House assembled at 12 noon after a brief adjournment, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh managed to conduct the Question Hour amid protest by opposition parties for almost an hour.

    Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Kailash Choudhary, Minister of Communication Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel and Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal answered the questions amid protests by opposition members, who had trooped inside the well.

    The Deputy Chairman urged the protesting members to return to their respective seats.

    Goyal said the government is ready for a discussion on the issues. However, the opposition is not ready for it and is obstructing the House.

    “The majority of us want a discussion. Even the government wants discussion” said Goyal.

    NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2:30 PM on Friday following protests by the Opposition over price rise and other issues.

    This was the second adjournment before lunch as opposition parties led by Congress tried to raise issues of price rise and levy of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on daily essentials.

    When the House assembled at 12 noon after a brief adjournment, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh managed to conduct the Question Hour amid protest by opposition parties for almost an hour.

    Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Kailash Choudhary, Minister of Communication Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel and Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal answered the questions amid protests by opposition members, who had trooped inside the well.

    The Deputy Chairman urged the protesting members to return to their respective seats.

    Goyal said the government is ready for a discussion on the issues. However, the opposition is not ready for it and is obstructing the House.

    “The majority of us want a discussion. Even the government wants discussion” said Goyal.