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Latest updates: A day after the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha
witnessed stormy scenes on Wednesday as several Opposition members sought to raise the issue of caste violence in Maharashtra, the Upper House of the Parliament condemned the violence on Thursday. Opposition members in Rajya Sabha demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter. In the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the first draft of the Assam NRC was not a conspiracy to drive out certain sections of the population as alleged by TMC MP Saugata Roy. On Wednesday, as soon as the papers were laid during Zero Hour, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu asked Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad to speak. In the meanwhile, Satish Chandra Mishra of BSP was on his feet and raised the Maharashtra violence eissue, alleging that the RSS and BJP were responsible for the violence against Dalits. Mishra and some other members said they had given a notice for holding a discussion on the matter. Several other opposition members as well as those from the treasury benches too were on feet. As many members tried to speak on the issue simultaneously, Naidu adjourned the House till noon. The adjournment during the pre-noon session comes a day after the House of Elders set a sort of record by completing all the Zero Hour matters and special mentions. Not only Maharashtra violence, but triple talaq issue also saw war of words between the Opposition and the Congress. [caption id=“attachment_4286559” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] A file image of BJP chief Amit Shah. PTI[/caption] The Opposition stalled a debate on the triple talaq bill insisting that it should be sent to a select panel, as the ruling BJP strongly sought its expeditious passage to stop the unlawful practice. Amid noisy scenes, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 for discussion and passage, but pandemonium broke out in the Upper House with the opposition creating an uproar and the BJP countering it vociferously. The House, which had met at 3 pm after witnessing three adjournments over the Maharashtra caste violence, also witnessed procedural wranglings from both sides. While the government emphasised the need to pass the bill on an urgent basis citing a Supreme Court judgement pronouncing triple talaq as unconstitutional, the opposition countered it saying the views of various stakeholders must be taken by the select panel. While supporting the bill, the Opposition parties especially those from the Congress, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, insisted that it be referred to a select panel for further scrutiny. In the Lok Sabha, Congress led by Mallikarjuna Kharge
slammed "Hindutva forces" for the violence in Maharashtra. The Congress also demanded a probe by a Supreme Court judge into the clashes while targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “silence” over it. Kharge said the latest wave of violence against Dalits in several parts of Maharashtra was continuation of similar incidents witnessed in other BJP-ruled states including Gujarat. “The RSS and certain hardcore Hindutva outfits are behind the violence. They are trying to drive a wedge between the Marathas and Dalits in Maharashtra,” Kharge alleged. A visibly anguished Kharge also tore some papers he was holding when BJP members vociferously protested his remarks and continued to shout. “Why is Prime Minister Narendra Modi silent on the issue? He always maintains silence on issues relating to Dalits. He has become a ‘Mouni Baba’ on Dalit issues,” he said. With inputs from PTI
Parliament updates: Fate of triple talaq bill remains uncertain as RS adjourned till Friday amid uproar
A day after the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha witnessed stormy scenes on Wednesday as several Opposition members sought to raise the issue of caste violence in Maharashtra, the Upper House of the Parliament is expected to discuss and pass the triple talaq bill on Thursday.
 "Parliament updates: Fate of triple talaq bill remains uncertain as RS adjourned till Friday amid uproar")
Ram Gopal Yadav, SP MP from Uttar Pradesh flags issue of passengers being drugged on trains
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal replies that action against such oganised gangs will be taken and if any member has information about it, they should come forward and inform the ministry. The ministry is also trying to bring in a network of CCTV surveillance on trains and stations, Goyal informed the Rajya House.
Tripura MP raises question of security reinforcements in railways in Rajya Sabha
Jhama Das Badiya, CPM MP from Tripura says her luggage was stolen from Rajdhani Express. There are thousands like her who go through this with no security reinforcement.
Break up of business addressed during Winter Session of Parliament
Jairam Ramesh, Viplove Thakur raise questions over MSP provided to farmers
Congress MP Viplove Thakur asks if Narendra Modi’s promise of paying 50 percent more than the MSP to the farmer is being fulfilled. Jairam Ramesh also asks how is the cost of production fixed for MSP, “What is the new system for fixing the cost of production?”
Lok Sabha records higher productivity than Rajya Sabha
Lok Sabha sat for 13 days, 61 hours during Parliament’s Winter Session
As per PRS Legislative, LS sat for 13 days, 61 hours with 78 percent productivity. Sixteen bills were introduced during this time in the Lok Sabha. Twelve bills were passed by the Lower House. Apart from this, 46 starred questions were answered orally during Question Hour.
Productivity during Question Hour in both Houses
Productivity during this Winter Session of Parliament
Narendra Modi attends Lok Sabha proceedings
Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends Lok Sabha proceedings. pic.twitter.com/IgtfSbN2NG
— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2018
Consumer Protection Bill, New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill introduced in Lok Sabha
Ram Vilas Paswan rose to withdraw the The Consumer Protection Bill, 2015. The Consumer Protection Bill and the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill have been introduced.
Extract from the Parliamentary panel chaired by TMC MP Derek O’Brien on rude staff behaviour, especially IndiGo
“The Committee observes that the problems affecting the airlines are not personal; it is institutional. An institution like Indigo has to develop a consumer friendly approach in dealing with their passengers. The Committee believes that being a leader in market share, Indigo needs to look inward and find out the reasons for the discourteous attitude and rude and indifferent behavior of their employees, whether it is their cabin crew or the ground staff. The Committee emphasizes that the arrogant behavior of employees should stop.”
WATCH: TMC MP Dinesh Trivedi earlier asked about the alternative medicine system
#WinterSession #LokSabha Dinesh Trivedi asks a supplementary question on alternative system of medicine | WATCH pic.twitter.com/snbUDG68k5
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 5, 2018
Retiring Rajya Sabha members give farewell speeches
Delhi MPs Janardan Dwivedi, Parvez Hashmi and Karan Singh. Congress MP Singh has made his farewell speech.
Arun Jaitley says Centre making effort to exceed farmer loan target in financial year 2018
Making effort to exceed farm loan target for FY18; Farm inputs have to be at reasonable price, says FM @arunjaitley in #LokSabha
— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) January 5, 2018
List of business in the Lok Sabha for today:
Consumer Protection Bill
New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill
Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill.
Dentists (Amendment) Bill
National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill
Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill
Arun Jaitley responds to queries on MSP and fertiliser subsidy
“There are crops where the Centre fixes the minimum support price (MSP). Sometimes market rate falls below MSP and we resort to market intervention. Farmers are also being provided subsidy for fertilisers as well,” said Jaitley in Lok Sabha.
Agriculture sector needs support, says Arun Jaitley on farm loan waiver
Arun Jaitley says the agriculture sector needs support. “Both the central and state governemtns have been making efforts,” says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Lok Sabha.
BJP issues whip directing members to be present in both Houses today
BJP issues whip asking all its MPs to remain present in both the houses of Parliament, today
— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2018
Jammu and Kashmir MP Farooq Abdullah seeks govt response on short course for Ayurveda doctors
Farooq Abdullah asks if there could is a way the government could introduce a short MBBS course for Ayurveda practitioners to undertake.
NMC Bill could lead to more quacks, says BJD MP in Lok Sabha
Bayjayant J Panda, BJD MP from Odisha, says Medical Council of India is one of the most corrupt bodies in the country. He also says that with the introduction of the National Medical Commission Bill, 2017, there is a greater chance of quacks across the country.
Both Houses to be adjourned sine die post lunch
According to News18, MPs from Opposition parties have been told that both houses will be adjourned sine die (with no appointed date for resumption) post lunch.
WATCH: Explainer on triple talaq bill
Three Minute Explainer on the Triple Talaq Bill: https://t.co/96gaN87WHS
— PRS Legislative (@PRSLegislative) January 5, 2018
Parliamentary panel says behaviour of airline staff, especially Indigo, condescending
While narrating some of the incidents of misbehavior in airlines, especially in Indigo, majority of the Committee Members opined that the attitude of airlines staff is very condescending, often uncooperative and on many occasions, downright rude.
— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2018
RECAP: Parliamentary panel discusses exorbitant airfares, rude behaviour by airline staff
The Committee on transport deliberated on the issue of exorbitant airfares charged during the festival seasons, holiday seasons, natural disasters and political/social unrest in Rajya Sabha, reported ANI. The Committee also noted there were many incidents of manhandling, discourteous and rude behavior by airlines staff.
RECAP: Report on issues related to improving consumer satisfaction of airlines tabled in Rajya Sabha
Parliamentary Standing Committee for Transport laid on the table of Rajya Sabha yesterday a report on the issues related to improving consumers satisfaction of airlines.
— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2018
Triple talaq could most likely be taken up again in 2018 Budget Session
Various reports suggest that owing to the lack of numbers and consensus in the Rajya Sabha the ruling party will be forced to send the bill to a Select Committee of the House. And it would only be taken up again in the Budget Session in 2018.
RECAP: Triple talaq bill creates uproar in Rajya Sabha forcing House to be adjourned
The government tactically placed the bill in the bottom of priority in the list of business on Thursday, which the Opposition strongly objected to and demanded that its motions for referring the bill to a Select Committee be taken up first. The business list had the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill ahead of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017.
Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien pleaded helplessness on the ground that the listing of business was the government’s priority and decided to go ahead with the GST bill, triggering an Opposition uproar which finally forced him to adjourn the House for the day.
As per Friday’s list of business, the triple talaq bill has been slated second for discussion after the GST amendment bill.
With inputs from IANS
List of legislative business in Rajya Sabha for today:
Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill, 2017
Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017
Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013
Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2017
Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017
Appropriation (No. 5) Bill, 2017
Triple talaq bill flawed in its present form and fails Muslim women
The Bill provides for the maintenance of a wife divorced via instant triple talaq. It does not provide for the maintenance for a wife divorced via other forms of triple talaq. It also doesn’t provide maintenance for the wife divorced via any other means, notably when a Muslim woman is granted divorce by a court. The Bill also doesn’t invalidate the infamous Shah Bano law, which was passed by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1986, denying alimony to divorced Muslim women.
The bulk of cases of instant triple talaq involve the lower income groups of Muslims, affecting families in which men are mechanics, labourers, tailors, and so on. In cases affecting them, the major problem is for the woman because she will be required to go to court to prove that the husband divorced her via instant triple talaq. In cases of oral instant triple talaq, it will be almost impossible for such a woman to prove any case against the husband, who will languish in jail before finally being acquitted.
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