News Analysis India

Tag: Venkaiah Naidu

  • Issue of freebies should be decided by elected representatives, not judiciary: Venkaiah Naidu 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Joining the debate on freebies, former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said on Wednesday the issue should be decided by elected representatives and not by the Supreme Court or judiciary.

    A debate has started in the country over freebies being given by some state governments as it could have serious implications on the economy.

    The former Vice President said these days a lot of issues like anti-defection and freebies are being discussed and people taking the matter to the courts.

    “(For) Interpretation of law one can go to court but what law needs to be done, what policy has to be formulated that is in the domain of Parliament and political parties,” he said.

    ALSO READ | SC asks Centre why can’t it call for all party meetings to deliberate on freebies 

    Naidu stressed that it is not for the Supreme Court or the judiciary as these issues should be decided by the people in power because people elect them.

    “I do have a strong opinion about freebies because what is freebie first of all has to be defined. What are the finances of states and centre has to be kept in mind and promises made and performances,” said the former Vice President.

    He said such issues should be widely debated before reaching any conclusion.

    “You don’t have budgetary provision, you don’t have sound economy but you want to give left and right. That’s why the three-line mantra given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi — Reform, Perform and Transform — is very very important,” Naidu added.

    ALSO READ | ‘Wisdom does not belong to only one party’: SC raps DMK while hearing freebies case

    Naidu was speaking at the launch book ‘A New India’ by Arun Jaitley. The book is a compilation of selected writings between 2014-2019 by the late Arun Jaitley. Jaitley, the first finance minister of the Modi government, died on August 24, 2019, at the age of 66 years.

    NEW DELHI: Joining the debate on freebies, former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said on Wednesday the issue should be decided by elected representatives and not by the Supreme Court or judiciary.

    A debate has started in the country over freebies being given by some state governments as it could have serious implications on the economy.

    The former Vice President said these days a lot of issues like anti-defection and freebies are being discussed and people taking the matter to the courts.

    “(For) Interpretation of law one can go to court but what law needs to be done, what policy has to be formulated that is in the domain of Parliament and political parties,” he said.

    ALSO READ | SC asks Centre why can’t it call for all party meetings to deliberate on freebies 

    Naidu stressed that it is not for the Supreme Court or the judiciary as these issues should be decided by the people in power because people elect them.

    “I do have a strong opinion about freebies because what is freebie first of all has to be defined. What are the finances of states and centre has to be kept in mind and promises made and performances,” said the former Vice President.

    He said such issues should be widely debated before reaching any conclusion.

    “You don’t have budgetary provision, you don’t have sound economy but you want to give left and right. That’s why the three-line mantra given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi — Reform, Perform and Transform — is very very important,” Naidu added.

    ALSO READ | ‘Wisdom does not belong to only one party’: SC raps DMK while hearing freebies case

    Naidu was speaking at the launch book ‘A New India’ by Arun Jaitley. The book is a compilation of selected writings between 2014-2019 by the late Arun Jaitley. Jaitley, the first finance minister of the Modi government, died on August 24, 2019, at the age of 66 years.

  • ‘Your energy is infectious’: PM Modi writes to Naidu; lauds former V-P

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu for his commitment to ideology, which drove him to join a political party that had little presence in his state of Andhra Pradesh, saying his “energy is infectious”.

    In a three-page farewell letter to Naidu, whose term as the vice president ended on Wednesday, the prime minister said, “Your energy is infectious. It can be seen in your wit and wisdom. Your one-liners are widely admired. Articulation has always been among your greatest strengths.”

    Recalling Naidu’s strengths, Modi said from the small lanes of Nellore to the vice-presidency, yours has been an outstanding and inspiring journey.

    “Whenever any challenge or setback came, it only strengthened your resolve to go about your work with even more courage,” Modi said.

    Referring to his chairmanship of Rajya Sabha, Modi said Naidu has always been a “stickler for parliamentary discipline and traditions”.

    “I know of your personal anguish and discomfort whenever there were unseemly disruptions or the dignity of the Parliament was lowered in any manner.

    Whenever you spoke about it, there was deep pain in your voice, conveying your worry for the long-term future of our nation and the vibrancy of the Parliament,” Modi wrote in the letter addressed to Naidu as Venkaiah ‘garu’ (honorific suffix).

    The prime minister said as the chairman of Rajya Sabha, Naidu presided over the House with brilliance.

    “Your warm relations with leaders in the treasury and opposition benches furthered a spirit of cordiality in the House. It was heartening to see first-time members, women, and younger members get more opportunities to express themselves.”

    The success of your approach is evident in the record rise in the Rajya Sabha’s productivity during your years as the Chairman, Modi pointed out.

    “In the five years gone by, several historic bills have been passed and you will certainly look back at them with satisfaction. I am sure the legislations on Articles 370 and 35(A) (relating to abrogation of certain sections of Article 370), which were first tabled in the Rajya Sabha, would have made you very proud,” he said.

    Recalling Naidu’s tenure in the BJP organisation, the prime minister said it has also been memorable.

    “Needless to say, the interest you took in organisational matters energised every karyakarta (worker). You made efforts to strengthen systems in the party, by setting up more party offices, ensuring they are active hubs of public service and elaborating on the exact roles of each party position.”

    Responding to Modi’s letter, Naidu tweeted, “I warmly reciprocate Raksha Bandhan greetings to PM Modi ji. Grateful to him for his letter warmly and fondly touching upon various aspects of my journey of 5 decades in public life. Shri Modi’s support during this journey has been a big asset to me.”

    In his letter, Modi also said personally he has benefited from Naidu’s counsel on many matters during their interactions over the last many decades.

    “As the vice president, your objective understanding of governance issues combined with your extensive ministerial experience and legislative knowledge was extremely enriching. You viewed every subject from the prism of ‘Nation First’ and then gave your views,” PM Modi recalled.

    The writings of Vinoba Bhave have always impressed him, the prime minister said.

    “He (Bhave) knew how to present things in a crisp manner using the most suitable words. Whenever I hear you, I see shades of the same brilliance. You have the ability to mesmerise an audience and convey things in a simple manner,” he told Naidu.

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu for his commitment to ideology, which drove him to join a political party that had little presence in his state of Andhra Pradesh, saying his “energy is infectious”.

    In a three-page farewell letter to Naidu, whose term as the vice president ended on Wednesday, the prime minister said, “Your energy is infectious. It can be seen in your wit and wisdom. Your one-liners are widely admired. Articulation has always been among your greatest strengths.”

    Recalling Naidu’s strengths, Modi said from the small lanes of Nellore to the vice-presidency, yours has been an outstanding and inspiring journey.

    “Whenever any challenge or setback came, it only strengthened your resolve to go about your work with even more courage,” Modi said.

    Referring to his chairmanship of Rajya Sabha, Modi said Naidu has always been a “stickler for parliamentary discipline and traditions”.

    “I know of your personal anguish and discomfort whenever there were unseemly disruptions or the dignity of the Parliament was lowered in any manner.

    Whenever you spoke about it, there was deep pain in your voice, conveying your worry for the long-term future of our nation and the vibrancy of the Parliament,” Modi wrote in the letter addressed to Naidu as Venkaiah ‘garu’ (honorific suffix).

    The prime minister said as the chairman of Rajya Sabha, Naidu presided over the House with brilliance.

    “Your warm relations with leaders in the treasury and opposition benches furthered a spirit of cordiality in the House. It was heartening to see first-time members, women, and younger members get more opportunities to express themselves.”

    The success of your approach is evident in the record rise in the Rajya Sabha’s productivity during your years as the Chairman, Modi pointed out.

    “In the five years gone by, several historic bills have been passed and you will certainly look back at them with satisfaction. I am sure the legislations on Articles 370 and 35(A) (relating to abrogation of certain sections of Article 370), which were first tabled in the Rajya Sabha, would have made you very proud,” he said.

    Recalling Naidu’s tenure in the BJP organisation, the prime minister said it has also been memorable.

    “Needless to say, the interest you took in organisational matters energised every karyakarta (worker). You made efforts to strengthen systems in the party, by setting up more party offices, ensuring they are active hubs of public service and elaborating on the exact roles of each party position.”

    Responding to Modi’s letter, Naidu tweeted, “I warmly reciprocate Raksha Bandhan greetings to PM Modi ji. Grateful to him for his letter warmly and fondly touching upon various aspects of my journey of 5 decades in public life. Shri Modi’s support during this journey has been a big asset to me.”

    In his letter, Modi also said personally he has benefited from Naidu’s counsel on many matters during their interactions over the last many decades.

    “As the vice president, your objective understanding of governance issues combined with your extensive ministerial experience and legislative knowledge was extremely enriching. You viewed every subject from the prism of ‘Nation First’ and then gave your views,” PM Modi recalled.

    The writings of Vinoba Bhave have always impressed him, the prime minister said.

    “He (Bhave) knew how to present things in a crisp manner using the most suitable words. Whenever I hear you, I see shades of the same brilliance. You have the ability to mesmerise an audience and convey things in a simple manner,” he told Naidu.

  • Naidu’s last three years see Rajya Sabha clocking record 82 per cent productivity

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The productivity of Rajya Sabha which has been steadily declining for 25 years since 1995 was reversed during the last three years of the tenure of Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, a new publication says.

    The improvement was revealed in a publication titled ‘Rajya Sabha – 2017-22: An Overview’ brought out by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

    The publication is a first of its kind giving details of various aspects of the functioning of Rajya Sabha during the tenure of a Chairman.

    It presents the functioning of the House from 1978 on, the year since when all required data for doing so is maintained.

    For the first 17 years since 1978, the annual productivity of Rajya Sabha was more than 100 per cent, while during the next 27 years, it has been so only twice, in 1998 and 2009, the publication says.

    The lowest annual productivity was recorded in 2018 at 40 per cent, it said.

    With its decline started in 1995, the annual productivity of the house was 95 per cent during 1995-97, 90 per cent during 1998-2003, and over 80 per cent during 2004-13.

    The trend continued till the 248th session in 2019.

    It was reversed in the 249th session.

    The decline in productivity was steep during the first five full sessions (244th to 248th) presided over by Venkaiah Naidu with the house clocking productivity of only 42.77 percent, the publication said.

    The 248th session held during January-February, 2019 recorded the lowest house productivity at 6.80 per cent.

    For the next eight sessions (249th to 256th), it said, the productivity of Rajya Sabha almost doubled to 82.34 per cent and it functioned for 105 per cent of the scheduled time during 2019 budget session between June and August with 35 sittings.

    This has been the first session to report such high productivity during the tenure of Naidu marking a break from the past.

    Thereafter, four more sessions clocked close to or above 100 per cent productivity.

    During the 13 sessions presided over by Naidu from the 244th session, Rajya Sabha has clocked productivity of 82.

    34 percent for two-thirds of the total sittings (173 of 261 sittings) enabling the reversal of declining productivity trend.

    The publication lists several “first of a kind” initiatives taken by Naidu for the turnaround, some of which were: the review of department-related parliamentary standing committees since their introduction in 1993 and of other committees of the house, starting reviewing the rules of the house, examination of the attendance of members, and their participation in the proceedings of the house.

    They also included time allocated on different items of business in the house, use of Indian languages in the proceedings of the house, extent of public outreach on various aspects of the functioning of Rajya Sabha through media, and commissioning the first-ever comprehensive study on ‘system improvement’ in the Secretariat etc.

    During Naidu’s tenure as Chairman, Rajya Sabha clocked over 951 working hours till the last session, losing 26 sittings due to different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    In five years, the eight parliamentary standing committees of Rajya Sabha held 558 meetings till this June and submitted 369 reports.

    Due to regular review and monitoring of their functioning by Naidu, the average duration of the meetings has substantially improved with an average attendance of over 45 per cent per meeting, the publication said.

    NEW DELHI: The productivity of Rajya Sabha which has been steadily declining for 25 years since 1995 was reversed during the last three years of the tenure of Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, a new publication says.

    The improvement was revealed in a publication titled ‘Rajya Sabha – 2017-22: An Overview’ brought out by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

    The publication is a first of its kind giving details of various aspects of the functioning of Rajya Sabha during the tenure of a Chairman.

    It presents the functioning of the House from 1978 on, the year since when all required data for doing so is maintained.

    For the first 17 years since 1978, the annual productivity of Rajya Sabha was more than 100 per cent, while during the next 27 years, it has been so only twice, in 1998 and 2009, the publication says.

    The lowest annual productivity was recorded in 2018 at 40 per cent, it said.

    With its decline started in 1995, the annual productivity of the house was 95 per cent during 1995-97, 90 per cent during 1998-2003, and over 80 per cent during 2004-13.

    The trend continued till the 248th session in 2019.

    It was reversed in the 249th session.

    The decline in productivity was steep during the first five full sessions (244th to 248th) presided over by Venkaiah Naidu with the house clocking productivity of only 42.77 percent, the publication said.

    The 248th session held during January-February, 2019 recorded the lowest house productivity at 6.80 per cent.

    For the next eight sessions (249th to 256th), it said, the productivity of Rajya Sabha almost doubled to 82.34 per cent and it functioned for 105 per cent of the scheduled time during 2019 budget session between June and August with 35 sittings.

    This has been the first session to report such high productivity during the tenure of Naidu marking a break from the past.

    Thereafter, four more sessions clocked close to or above 100 per cent productivity.

    During the 13 sessions presided over by Naidu from the 244th session, Rajya Sabha has clocked productivity of 82.

    34 percent for two-thirds of the total sittings (173 of 261 sittings) enabling the reversal of declining productivity trend.

    The publication lists several “first of a kind” initiatives taken by Naidu for the turnaround, some of which were: the review of department-related parliamentary standing committees since their introduction in 1993 and of other committees of the house, starting reviewing the rules of the house, examination of the attendance of members, and their participation in the proceedings of the house.

    They also included time allocated on different items of business in the house, use of Indian languages in the proceedings of the house, extent of public outreach on various aspects of the functioning of Rajya Sabha through media, and commissioning the first-ever comprehensive study on ‘system improvement’ in the Secretariat etc.

    During Naidu’s tenure as Chairman, Rajya Sabha clocked over 951 working hours till the last session, losing 26 sittings due to different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    In five years, the eight parliamentary standing committees of Rajya Sabha held 558 meetings till this June and submitted 369 reports.

    Due to regular review and monitoring of their functioning by Naidu, the average duration of the meetings has substantially improved with an average attendance of over 45 per cent per meeting, the publication said.

  • Presidential poll results: VP Naidu meets Murmu, compliments on her thumping victory

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu met Draupadi Murmu on Friday after she was officially declared the 15th President of the country and complimented the latter on her thumping victory.

    Reportedly the meeting lasted for about 15 minutes.

    Murmu was declared the 15th President of the country after the conclusion of the counting of votes on Thursday. Greetings and wishes poured in following her win.

    Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Droupadi Murmu on her election as new President of the country and said she has emerged as a ray of hope for citizens, especially the poor, marginalised and the downtrodden.

    President Ram Nath Kovind also extended his best wishes to Draupadi Murmu who will succeed him in the highest office of the country. “Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Smt. Droupadi Murmu on being elected as the 15th President of India,” President Kovind said in a tweet.

    The Prime Minister said that India has scripted history as a daughter hailing from a tribal community born in a remote part of eastern India has been elected President.

    “India scripts history. At a time when 1.3 billion Indians are marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a daughter of India hailing from a tribal community born in a remote part of eastern India has been elected our President!” he said in a tweet.

    The Prime Minister said Droupadi Murmu’s life motivates every Indian.

    “Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji’s life, her early struggles, her rich service and her exemplary success motivates each and every Indian. She has emerged as a ray of hope for our citizens, especially the poor, marginalised and the downtrodden,” he said.

    The Prime Minister thanked MPs and MLAs who supported her candidature cutting across party lines.

    “Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji has been an outstanding MLA and Minister. She had an excellent tenure as Jharkhand Governor. I am certain she will be an outstanding President who will lead from the front and strengthen India’s development journey,” he said.

    “I would like to thank all those MPs and MLAs across party lines who have supported the candidature of Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji. Her record victory augurs well for our democracy,” he added.

    Murmu received 2,824 votes with a value 6,76,803 while her opponent Yashwant Sinha secured 1,877 votes with a value 3,80,177. A total of 4,809 MPs and MLAs cast their votes in the polling that took place on July 18.

    Secretary General of Rajya Sabha and the Returning Officer for Presidential Election 2022, PC Mody handed over the certificate to President-elect Droupadi Murmu at her residence in Delhi.

    “Presidential Election concluded with declaration of result…4754 votes polled, out of which 4701 valid & 53 invalid…The quota (for a candidate to be elected the President) was 5,28,491. #DroupadiMurmu secured 2824 first preference votes-value of which is 6,76,803,” Mody said.

    “1,877 first preference votes were secured by Yashwant Sinha – value 3,80,177. As 1st preference votes secured by #DroupadiMurmu were greater than the requisite quota, I in my capacity as Returning Officer declare that she has been elected to office of President of India,” he added.

    NEW DELHI: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu met Draupadi Murmu on Friday after she was officially declared the 15th President of the country and complimented the latter on her thumping victory.

    Reportedly the meeting lasted for about 15 minutes.

    Murmu was declared the 15th President of the country after the conclusion of the counting of votes on Thursday. Greetings and wishes poured in following her win.

    Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Droupadi Murmu on her election as new President of the country and said she has emerged as a ray of hope for citizens, especially the poor, marginalised and the downtrodden.

    President Ram Nath Kovind also extended his best wishes to Draupadi Murmu who will succeed him in the highest office of the country. “Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Smt. Droupadi Murmu on being elected as the 15th President of India,” President Kovind said in a tweet.

    The Prime Minister said that India has scripted history as a daughter hailing from a tribal community born in a remote part of eastern India has been elected President.

    “India scripts history. At a time when 1.3 billion Indians are marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a daughter of India hailing from a tribal community born in a remote part of eastern India has been elected our President!” he said in a tweet.

    The Prime Minister said Droupadi Murmu’s life motivates every Indian.

    “Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji’s life, her early struggles, her rich service and her exemplary success motivates each and every Indian. She has emerged as a ray of hope for our citizens, especially the poor, marginalised and the downtrodden,” he said.

    The Prime Minister thanked MPs and MLAs who supported her candidature cutting across party lines.

    “Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji has been an outstanding MLA and Minister. She had an excellent tenure as Jharkhand Governor. I am certain she will be an outstanding President who will lead from the front and strengthen India’s development journey,” he said.

    “I would like to thank all those MPs and MLAs across party lines who have supported the candidature of Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji. Her record victory augurs well for our democracy,” he added.

    Murmu received 2,824 votes with a value 6,76,803 while her opponent Yashwant Sinha secured 1,877 votes with a value 3,80,177. A total of 4,809 MPs and MLAs cast their votes in the polling that took place on July 18.

    Secretary General of Rajya Sabha and the Returning Officer for Presidential Election 2022, PC Mody handed over the certificate to President-elect Droupadi Murmu at her residence in Delhi.

    “Presidential Election concluded with declaration of result…4754 votes polled, out of which 4701 valid & 53 invalid…The quota (for a candidate to be elected the President) was 5,28,491. #DroupadiMurmu secured 2824 first preference votes-value of which is 6,76,803,” Mody said.

    “1,877 first preference votes were secured by Yashwant Sinha – value 3,80,177. As 1st preference votes secured by #DroupadiMurmu were greater than the requisite quota, I in my capacity as Returning Officer declare that she has been elected to office of President of India,” he added.

  • India deeply values Qatar’s role in its energy security: VP Naidu

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said India deeply values Qatar’s role in its energy security and underscored the need to move beyond buyer-seller relationship into a comprehensive energy partnership.

    Naidu reached Qatar on Saturday on the last leg of his three-nation tour. He is the first ever vice president of India to visit the State of Qatar.

    The vice president called on Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, father of Amir of Qatar and held delegation level talks with Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Qatar on Sunday.

    Highlighting that India and Qatar have historic ties built on mutual trust and respect, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, father of Amir of Qatar hoped that more investments can be made by Qatar in India and more industrial and business houses can establish economic ties with Qatar.

    The vice president and father of the Amir agreed that there is a huge potential to diversify trade between the two countries, a statement issued by the Vice President Secretariat said.

    Appreciating that Qatar’s investment in India has grown five times since March 2020, Naidu opined, “it is still well below potential and can be substantially increased”. He also said that there is a keen interest in the private Indian business community to build partnerships with Qatar.

    The vice president lauded Qatar for emerging as an education hub in the region and expressed happiness over several Indian universities opening offshore campuses there. He thanked Qatari leadership for taking care of the 7.8 lakh Indians in Qatar.

    “We are happy to note that Indians are found in all walks of life and have become a part and parcel of Qatar’s developmental journey,” the statement said quoting Naidu.

    Naidu also reiterated the Indian community’s long-standing request for a prayer hall and a crematorium in Qatar.

    Referring to the landmark visits by the Amir to India in 2015 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Qatar in 2016, Naidu said the relations are driven by close chemistry between the leadership of the two countries.

    Observing that nearly 40 per cent of India’s gas requirements are met from Qatar, Naidu said that India deeply values Qatar’s role in its energy security and underscored the need to move beyond buyer-seller relationship into a comprehensive energy partnership.

  • Sanjay Raut claims some people approached him to help topple Maha govt; writes to Vice President

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has written a letter to Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, claiming he was approached by “certain people” who asked him to assist in toppling the MVA government in Maharashtra so that the state could be forced into mid-term elections.

    Raut, who is the Rajya Sabha member, asserted that the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government will complete its five-year term, and said he will not bow down and will continue to speak the truth.

    He claimed that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other central agencies were being used with the “oblique motive” of toppling democratically elected governments. In the letter to Naidu, who is also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Raut said central agencies like the ED were “systematically targeting” Shiv Sena leaders, after the party formed the (MVA) government in Maharashtra with the NCP and Congress after severing ties with its old ally BJP.

    Raut requested Naidu to take note of the “abuse of power” and alleged harassment of Rajya Sabha members, and said the vice president should also speak up and take action in this connection.

    Seeking to put up a brave face, the Rajya Sabha member also said he is “not scared and will not bow down”, and will continue to speak truth both inside and outside the House.

    The Shiv Sena’s chief spokesperson wrote the letter to Naidu on Tuesday and also sent its copies to leaders like Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and NCP president Sharad Pawar.

    Addressing reporters in Delhi on Wednesday, Raut said the letter was “just a trailer”, and he will expose how (some) ED personnel were allegedly running a “criminal syndicate of the BJP”.

    “About a month ago, I was approached by certain people and was told to assist them in toppling the state government in Maharashtra. They wanted me to be instrumental in such an endeavour so that the state could be forced into a mid-term election,” Raut alleged in the letter.

    Raut further said he refused to be a part of the “clandestine” agenda, and claimed he was told that his refusal would lead to him “paying a heavy price”.

    The Sena leader claimed he was even told that his fate could be like that of a former railway minister who spent many years in jail.

    “I was even warned that apart from me, two other senior ministers in the Maharashtra cabinet would also be sent behind bars under the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act), which would lead to mid-term elections in the Maharashtra, with all important leaders in the state being behind bars,” he said.

    Raut said the law to prevent money laundering became effective on January 17, 2003.

    But, transactions which took place before that date and had nothing to do with money laundering are being investigated by the central agencies with the “oblique and ulterior motive” of harassing and terrorising political opponents of the BJP, he said.

    “ED and other central agencies are being used with the oblique motive of toppling democratically elected governments, which is certainly not a healthy sign for any country where democracy prevails,” he added.

    Raut accused the ED of threatening people who sold land to him and his family about 17 years ago and in 2012-13, forcing them (the sellers) into issuing statements against him.

    The Shiv Sena leader said the decorators and other vendors roped in for his daughter’s wedding function were also being “intimidated and threatened so as to extract statements” that they received Rs 50 lakh in cash from him.

    He alleged that the ED and other agencies have unlawfully picked up 28 people in these connections so far.

    “I, with all due humility, wish to state that I am not scared, nor am I going to bow down, and I will continue to speak the truth, both in the House and outside the House,” the parliamentarian said.

    Raut said he perceives actions of the central agencies as an attack on his right to speak freely and on democracy.

    “I urge you to not just take note of the abuse of power to perpetuate intimidation and harassment of members of the Rajya Sabha, but also to speak up and take action,” Raut said in the letter to Naidu.

    Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Raut targeted the Centre, alleging that the voice of opposition leaders is being suppressed in a more severe manner now than during the time of Emergency.

    “But they (BJP) are under an illusion and people like us will not fall for such oppressive actions or forces.

    I can understand the pain they are feeling since the Maharashtra government was formed.

    They should fight politically.

    .

    .

    the agencies like ED and others have become part of the criminal syndicate of the BJP or their masters,” he alleged.

    Raut said his letter to Naidu is not even a trailer and that he will expose how the ED “runs a syndicate, blackmails and engages in money laundering”.

    “You think we will bow down? The baseless people from the BJP have often been saying that I will be put in the lock-up next to that of (former Maharashtra minister) Anil Deshmukh (arrested by the ED in a money laundering case).

    “It’s alright, we will go.

    But keep in mind you will also land in the lock-up next to us, because you have committed more sins, while we are clear.

    We are not afraid of you,” the Sena leader said.

    Asked about the people who made him the offer of toppling the Maharashtra government, Raut said he will talk about it in near future, but claimed it was “a joint venture of leaders from Delhi and Mumbai”.

    He also alleged that two-three people were issuing orders to the ED in Mumbai on whom to be summoned or tortured.

    “I appeal to (BJP leader) Devendra Fadnavis and he knows what I have got to say,” Raut added.

    Later, without naming anyone, Raut also said that “you won’t be able to go to Nagpur if we take on you”.

    “…the ED will pay the price for it and I am ready to pay whatever price for the country and for the agency’s reputation,” he added.

    Notably, Nagpur is the hometown of former Maharashtra CM Fadnavis.

    Raut also said the Shiv Sena is being troubled since it won the Dadra and Nagar Haveli Lok Sabha bypoll held last year.

    He said the Shiv Sena will expand and contest 100 seats in the Lok Sabha polls in future.

    PTI ENM GK GK 02091249 NNNN

  • RS clocks full productivity in first week, PM to reply to debate in House on Tuesday

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha recorded hundred per cent productivity in the first week of the budget session during which the debate on the motion of thanks to the President’s address was taken up and the prime minister is likely to reply in the House on Tuesday.

    The smooth functioning of the House was acknowledged and appreciated by Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, who urged the members to continue with this spirit for the remainder of this session.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to reply to the debate on the motion of thanks in Lok Sabha on Monday evening, sources said.

    Rajya Sabha made full use of the available 15 hours and 17 minutes during the first week of the budget session, clocking 100 percent productivity for the week, not witnessed often, officials said.

    There were no adjournments due to disruptions during the week, unlike in the previous winter and monsoon sessions last year which witnessed frequent disruptions and adjournments.

    So far, 26 members have spoken in the debate on the motion of thanks to the President’s address for 7 hours and 41 minutes. The house has allotted a total of 12 for the debate, the Secretariat said.

    After the prime minister’s reply, the Union Budget for 2022-23 will be discussed for 11 hours and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will reply on Friday. To enable this, Private Members’ Business on Friday has been dispensed with.

    During the first week in Rajya Sabha, 25 of the listed starred questions have been replied to orally in three days of Question Hour and 31 Zero Hour and 14 Special Mentions were made by members during Zero Hour, reduced by half an hour per sitting, the officials claimed.

    Fifteen Private Members’ Bills were introduced during the week.

    While two pending private members’ bills were discussed, the Companies (Amendment Bill), 2019 was withdrawn after completion of discussion by Vinay Sahasrabuddhe. Discussion on the Population Regulation Bill, 2019, moved by Rakesh Sinha, is continuing.

    Rajya Sabha witnessed functioning for three consecutive days during the week without forced adjournments after a year, the last time being March 15-17, 2021, during the Budget session last year, officials in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat have said.

    The productivity of Rajya Sabha has been 100 percent or more for four consecutive Budget sessions of 2014 to 2017 and of regular Budget session in 2019, officials said. It was 28.90 percent in 2018 and 6.80 percent during 2019 (Interim Budget session) and productivity was 76.10 percent in 2020 and 93.50 percent during the Budget session last year, the RS Secretariat said.

  • Naidu, Birla discuss Covid-safe Budget Session

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday discussed preparations for the Budget session of Parliament amid the surge in coronavirus cases.

    The session begins Monday with the address of President Ram Nath Kovind to members of both the Houses.

    During the meet, Birla suggested that members of both the Houses can be seated at different locations by name to avoid confusion, crowding, and inquiries. Naidu accepted the suggestion, parliamentary sources said.

    Due to Covid norms, the two Houses are meeting at different times. Members of the two Houses will be accommodated in chambers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as well as galleries to prevent crowding.

    To implement the sitting arrangement by name, parties have been approached to draw up a list of members who would be accommodated in various locations. Seats were allotted in chambers and galleries of both the Houses based on the strength of parties.

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    Given the reduction in the time of sitting of both the Houses by one hour per sitting due to staggered timings, Naidu and Birla took stock of the time available for different items of business. They underscored the need for cooperation from all sections of both the Houses for effective utilisation of available time.

    While Rajya Sabha would meet from 10 am to 3 pm, the Lok Sabha would sit from 4 pm to 9 pm. Officials informed the two presiding officers that the Parliament House complex has been sanitised and all possible measures are being taken to contain the spread of coronavirus.

    They were told that all MPs have been requested to take RT-PCR test 48 before the commencement of the Session. Part one of the session would end on February 11. The second part would begin on March 14 and conclude on April 8.

  • Legislature falling short of holding executive accountable due to frequent disruptions: Naidu

    Good governance needs good legislatures to ensure the accountability of the executive to the people, he said.

  • No need to panic, follow Covid-appropriate behaviour: Vice President on new coronavirus variant

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday urged people not to panic about the emergence of new COVID-19 strain Omicron and advised them to remain vigilant and keep following Covid-appropriate behaviour till the pandemic is over.

    Addressing a gathering at a book launch event at the Upa Rashtrapati Nivas here, he also urged people to shed hesitancy and get themselves vaccinated against coronavirus at the earliest.

    The vice president said the coronavirus pandemic has come as a big challenge for the entire human race, and appreciated the world’s largest vaccination drive currently underway in India, an official statement of the Vice President Secretariat said.

    Naidu also referred to the transformational changes brought in governance over the past seven years. These changes are both empowering and enabling 1.3 billion people to deliver on their potential, he said.

    “Be it life expectancy, financial inclusion, access to healthcare, employment, owning a house, or honouring entrepreneurial ability, the quality of Indian lives is getting better with each passing day,” Naidu said.

    Quoting the prime minister’s three-word mantra, ‘reform, perform and transform’, the vice president praised the tremendous progress made by the nation over the past few years in various fields such as financial inclusion, insurance coverage, number of LPG connections for poor women and tap water connection to households.

    He said following the principle of ‘minimum government and maximum governance, the government is leveraging technologies to bring transformation in every sector, and expressed satisfaction over India becoming the third largest startup ecosystem in the world.

    “It is a testimony to the government’s resolute commitment to improve the business environment in the country that India’s ranking rose to 63rd place in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index 2020,” he said.

    Naidu noted that India’s strategic partnerships are based on mutual respect and the nation has given a resolute response to inimical forces who dared to challenge its integrity and sovereignty.

    “We are guided by our unwavering self-belief and our dedication to becoming ‘atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant) in every possible way,” he noted.