Parliament Updates: Greta Thunberg's 'how dare you' remark was directed at all of us, says KJ Alphons in Rajya Sabha

Greta Thunberg’s ‘How dare you’ remark was directed at all of us: KJ Alphons

In the Rajya Sabha, KJ Alphons of the BJP spoke on air pollution and said, “Greta Thunberg’s remark of ‘How dare you!’ was directed at all of us.” He also cited examples of cities that have succeeded in controlling pollution, such as Indore, Bhopal, Vizag and Pune.

Delhi govt gave subsidies for electric vehicles to combat pollution, says Sushil Kumar Gupta

AAP MP Sushil Kumar Gupta listed out a number of steps that the Delhi government has taken to combat air pollution. He said, “The Delhi government has implemented the odd-even policy, it has procured machines to spray water on trees, gave subsidies for electric vehicles and it has enacted a law to barricade construction sites.”

International bodies show Delhi is most polluted city: Congress’ Pratap Singh Bajwa

Taking a jibe at the Environment Minister’s report that the situation in the National Capital has shown major improvement, Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa said that the global reports on pollution showed otherwise, rather highlighted Delhi to be the most polluted city 

“The minister claimed that the good days have gone up, but international bodies report show that Delhi is the most polluted capital. As per SAFAR, pollution is the highest in the city in three years,” said Bajwa.

If pollution can stop by abusing Arvind Kejriwal, please continue: Sanjay Singh 

Aam Admi Party leader Sanjay Singh slammed BJP Vijay Goel for defying the odd-even rule and said “It is shameful that while we are trying to make student stop using crackers you are trying to influence the public to do otherwise.”

Taking a swipe at Goel, the AAP minister said, “The Minister himself said that the air quality has been better. It is because Delhi government’s effort that pollution has been curbed. Our 56,000 machines have been given to the farmers to avoid stubble burning. But, in the SC they have quoted a different number. Where did all these machines go.”

“If pollution can stop by abusing Arvind Kejriwal, please do so. Your mentality is polluted now!,” said Singh.

Increase in number of lung cancer patients by 10 percent: BJP minister 

Slamming the Delhi government and contradicting his own party on good air days, BJP MP Vijay Goel said that the air quality index on Thursday was recorded at 370 and claimed that number of lung cancer patients have gone up by 10 percent, according Ganga Ram Hospital research.

“The way Delhi government has been inactive in the matter. In the five years, Delhi has provided one mask. 50 lakh masks have been distributed, but no one is seen wearing it, Goel said.

Six lakh children under 15 die every year due to  Air Pollution: Congress leader Kumari Selja

Asserting that the BJP was trying to portray everything was alright in National Capital, Congress leader Kumari Selja said that due to air pollution the average life expectancy was shortened. “Six lakh children under 15 die every year due to  Air Pollution,” said the Conngress leader.

Ruckus in Upper House over debate on pollution crisis

A ruckus was created in the Rajya Sabha over pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR regions. Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs S Muraleedharan appeals that the members maintain decorum.

Progress after measures taken against stubble burning, says Javadekar

Speaking about the measures taken against stubble burning, the environment minister said Uttar Pradesh has recorded a reduction of 25 percent, Haryana a reduction of 20 percent and Punjab had gone a reduction of 16 percent.

Centre has allocated Rs 280 crore for awareness programs to abate pollution: Javadekar

Prakash Javadekar further said that the Centre has allocated a total of Rs 280 crore for awareness programs to curb air pollution in Delhi and NCR regions.

“We are now migrating to BS6 which will reduce vehicular pollution by 80 percent,” said Javadekar.

Air quality of Delhi has improved, says Javadekar 

Claiming that Delhi’s air quality has improved, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Prakash Javadekar said the major source of air pollution are industry, construction, vehicles, biomass and construction/demolition.

High-level task force formed to curb pollution: Prakash Javadekar

Speaking about methods to abate to control air pollution in Delhi-NCR region, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said several initiatives were taken by the Centre under the chairmanship of the Principal Secy to the Prime Minister.

“We have undertaken several initiatives. A high level task force was constituted under the chairmanship of the Principal Secy to the PM. Regular review meetings have been held,” said Javadekar.

Best solution adopted by the govt to curb pollution, says Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar

Prakash Javadekar begins to deliver his reply on pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR region in Rajya Sabha

What are electoral bonds? 

Since its inception in the 2017 Union Budget, electoral bonds have been subjected to questions relating to lack of transparency and possible misuse by corporate-political nexus. A donor can purchase these bonds from specified branches of State Bank of India in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh or Rs 1 crore and donate it to any registered political party. The party can encash it in its account like a bearer cheque.

This instrument is such that it seeks to promote cashless political donations since these bonds can be purchased either through cash or cheque. But, the big negative of this instrument is the anonymity it promises to the political parties and donors. No one knows which hands are exchanging the money at the end of the day.

Congress slams BJP over appointment of Pragya Singh Thakur to panel on defence

After the controversial appointment of BJP leader and Malagaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur to a crucial Parliamentary consultative committee on defence on Thursday, the Congress slammed the ruling government and described the incident as “unfortunate”.

“It is unfortunate for the country that an MP accused of spreading terror has been nominated as member of a defence-related committee. Narendra ‘Modi has not been able to forgive her from the heart’, but she has been given the responsibility of important issues such as the country’s defence. That is why if there is Modi, anything is possible,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted in Hindi.

According to a bulletin issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, Thakur will be part of the 21-member committee headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Electoral bonds have made corruption official, Congress in Lok Sabha

Raising the issue of electoral bond in the Lok Sabha, the Congress alleged that the scheme has made corruption “official”, with party members walking out of proceedings.

Senior Congress leader Manish Tewari raised the issue during Zero Hour and said that despite reservations expressed by the Reserve Bank of India and the Election Commission, the government went ahead with the scheme.

Rajya Sabha to resume debate on pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR region 

After 2 pm, the Upper House will resume the discussion on the pollution crisis in Delhi and NCR region. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar is expected to address the issue.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm

Number of H1B visas has been going up, says EAM S Jaishankar 

After Rajya Sabha member Sougata Dasgupta enquired the External Affairs ministry about the government’s position on work visas to the United States, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar said that the number of H1B visas has been going up.

“We are constantly in touch with American visas, members of Congress to persuade them that tapping into Indian pool talent will be beneficial. The number of H1B visas has been going up,” said Jaishankar.

However, he admitted that the number of visa have come down and denial rates gone up “but not just for Indian companies alone”.

Lok Sabha Latest Update

Congress MP Manish Tewari raises electroal bond issue during Zero Hour

During zero hour, senior Congress leader Manish Tewari raised the electoral bond issue in the Lower Hosue alleging there was no clarity on donor or their identity.

“This is cover-up over corruption under this scheme,” Tewari argued that right before election, at the instruction and direction of PMO, the whole process of electoral bonds was channelised.

“I want to draw the attention of the House towards electoral bonds. The electoral bond scheme was limited to elections. RTI in 2018 reveled that government overruled Reserve Bank of India on electoral bonds,” he said.

Electoral bonds a way for big corporations to influence political parties: Shashi Tharoor 

Taking a swipe at the BJP, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said after the introduction of electoral bonds, serious objections were raised as it would act advantageous for big corporations or individuals to influence political parties, the ruling party in particular.

Congress to stage walkout from Parliament if govt does not allow discussion on electoral bonds, say party sources

As the issue of electoral bonds intensified in both the Houses, the Congress is likely to organise a walkout if the government doesn’t allow discussion on the scheme. The Grand Old Party will also hold a protest at the Gandhi statue, according to top party sources.

“We will not let the issue of electoral bonds die down. We will make the government answerable. We are reaching out to Opposition parties to build a floor strategy against the government. we want a detailed discussion on it,” a party source said.

Rajya Sabha Latest Update

RECAP | CPI gives Suspension of Business notice, questions govt’s push for sale in five PSUs

In the Upper House, the CPI has given Suspension of Business notice under rule 267 over “selling of entire stake in 5 PSUs including BPCL (Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited)”.

Lok Sabha Latest Update  

Speaker Om Birla lambasts Opposition leaders for sloganeering on electoral bonds

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reprimanded the Opposition leaders for sloganeering. The members, mostly from Congress were raising slogans on the electoral bonds issue in the House during question hour. The Speaker said, “It is our duty to maintain the dignity of the House. Please do not come to the well of the House. I have always given all a chance for debate and discussion.”

Lok Sabha Latest Update

Congress issues Adjournment Notice over Electoral Bonds Scheme

Citing “lack of transparency” in the scheme of electoral bonds, the Congress issues adjournment motion notice in the Lower House. According to ANI, Congress MP Manish Tewari is likely to speak on the matter

Allegations of corruption in sale of electoral bonds echo in both Houses

Media reports alleging corruption in sale of electoral bonds echoed in both Houses of Parlieament today. While the Rajya Sabha was adjourned immediately after convening as Chairman Venkaiah Naidu dismissed adjournment notices submitted on the subject. 

Likewise in Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla also quashed the adjournment notices and started the question hour which prompted Congress MPs to move in the Well and protest loudly.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to address Lok Sabha at 12 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meeting with top ministers in the Parliament. He is expected to address the Rajya Sabha at 12 today.

Lok Sabha takes up Question Hour amid ruckus

Question Hour was underway in Lok Sabha, where MPs asked questions to Minister of States (Independent Charge) Kiren Rijiju. Meanwhile, several Opposition MPs are raising slogans “Desh k Bechna Band Karo (stop selling the country) and Pradhan Mantri Jawab do (Prime Minister, answer us)” apparently in reference to the recent controversy over the sale of electoral bonds.

Parliament proceedings begin in both Houses

Pragya Singh Thakur nominated to the Parliamentary panel on defence

Meanwhile, in a surprising turn of events, BJP Lok Sabha member and an accused in the Malegaon blasts case, Pragya Singh Thakur, has been nominated to the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Defence.

The Bhopal MP, in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls,had gained over former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh and Congress leader Digvijaya Singh. 

The 21-member parliamentary panel on defence is headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Pragya was granted bail by the Bombay High Court on health grounds in April, 2017, after charges against her under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act were dropped by the National Investigation Agency. She is currently under trial for multiple charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Congress likely to raise electoral bonds issue in both Houses

The Congress demanded on Wednesday that the government must disclose all details about electoral bonds before Parliament, alleging that the scheme resulted in money laundering and destroyed transparency in the funding of political parties.

Describing electoral bonds as a “political bribery scheme”, the Opposition said it was a scam that tarnished the image of the Indian democracy.

“What we are talking about today leads straight to the prime minister’s office. The BJP government is running 90 percent of the business in this country with a few industrialists,” senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Azad, along with party colleagues Randeep Singh Surjewala and Anand Sharma, said under the electoral bonds scheme, the donor buying the bonds could hide his identity and at the same time, a political party needed to share the details as regards from whom it got how much money.

“Our demand is that the prime minister must intervene and the government must disclose full donor information, who donated crores to the BJP coffers, and place this information before Parliament. The Parliament is in session and the government should make the disclosure before both the houses, Sharma said.

RECAP | Rajya Sabha Latest Update

Amit Shah pitches for nationwide NRC 

Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the Upper House on the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir and also announced that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) will be implemented nationwide.

Shah told the Rajya Sabha that all citizens of India irrespective of religion will figure in the NRC list. “There is no provision in the NRC that people belonging to other religions will not be included in the register,” he added.

RECAP | Lok Sabha Latest Update

Lower House passes Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill raising monetary limits

After a lengthy debate that spanned three days, the Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Lower House. The Bill raises the monetary limits for chit funds and introduces a higher commission for “foremen,” or the officials who are responsible for managing the chits.

Lok Sabha Latest Update

Delhi’s air quality dips to ‘very poor’ category, likely to enter ‘severe’ zone by Friday 

Meanwhile, the National Capital’s air quality entered ‘very poor’ category on Wednesday and is likely to turn severe over the next two days due to prevailing calm winds and increased incidents of farm fires, officials said.

The government’s air quality monitoring and forecasting service SAFAR said the air quality in Delhi may enter the severe category in some parts of Delhi by Friday.

Delhi’s  Air Quality Index (AQI) was 301 at 4 pm on Wednesday, up from 242 at 4 pm on Tuesday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).​

Rajya Sabha Latest Update

Dam Safety Bill to be tabled for consideration and passing  

The Dam Safety Bill, 2019, will also be tabled in the Upper House by Union Minister in Jal Shakti ministry, Gajendra Sisngh Shekhawat, for consideration and passing.

The Dam Safety Bill, 2019, provides for surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of dams for prevention of dam failure-related disasters and to provide for institutional mechanism to ensure their safe functioning.

Rajya Sabha Latest Update

Upper House to take up Transgender Bill, Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill for further discussion

In the Upper House, the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019, will be taken up for further consideration along with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019.

Union minister Harsh Vardhan will move The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019. This Bill defines a transgender person as one whose gender does not match the gender assigned to them at birth. It includes trans-men and trans-women, persons with intersex variations, gender-queers, and persons with socio-cultural identities, such as kinnar and hijra, according to PRS Legislative Research. “The Bill is to provide protection for the rights of transgender persons and their welfare and hence should be taken into consideration,” said Vardhan.

Lok Sabha Latest Update

Debate on pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR region to continue

The Lok Sabha, on the fourth day of the Winter Session of Parliament, will discuss on the pollution crisis in Delhi and NCR region. Congress’ Manish Tewari and BJD’s Pinaki Misra will initiate the debate, followed by a reply from Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar.