Parliament Updates: Rajya Sabha passes Bill prohibiting e-cigarettes; don't doubt Centre's intention, says Harsh Vardhan

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Govt hides facts and is far from reality, says Congress’ Gaurav Gogoi

BJP’s Ajay Misra accused Rahul Bajaj of wrongdoing pertaining to three sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh, while supporting the Bill. In November, tax collection crossed Rs 1 lakh crore, he said, while elaborating on the government’s measures to improve the economy.

Congress’ Gaurav Gogoi said the current government does not want to heed any form of criticism. “The government hides facts and is far from ground reality. When the auto industry is affected, they blame the millenials. They hid unemployment data, did not reveal off-book borrowings,” he said.

Gogoi criticised demonetisation and GST. “This Bill is a multi-layered corporate tax structure. Just like GST is a complicated corporate tax structure, so is this Bill,” he added.

Only 10-12 percent of the businessmen who are corporate giants are benefited by the corporate tax reduction, said RSP’s NK Premachandran. “The benefit should effectively percolate to the smaller manufacturer," he said.

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

Rajya Sabha passes The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Bill, 2019

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

Do not be suspicious of Centre’s intentions, says Harsh Vardhan

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan says, “In a country as vast as India, when a particular product has a very wide consumer base and social acceptance, it becomes very difficult to ban it. I was the first one to bring in anti-tobacco legislation.”

Why didn’t you ban these products when you were in power, Harsh Vardhan asks Opposition.

India ranks among the topmost countries in the fight against tobacco, he added, going on to enumerating what measures have been taken to tackle the tobacco menace. “You should not be suspicious of our intentions,” he says.

“We cannot effect ban on alcohol, cigarettes, etc because there are so many people employed in that ecosystem. Joint fight on global level is being fought by tobacco lobby itself,” he said, adding that vaping-related deaths in America had reached an epidemic level.

Lok Sabha latest updates​
 

Supriya Sule questions lack of holistic approach towards tax reforms

NCP’s Supriya Sule stood to support the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill. She asked Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman if the direct tax collection has dropped significantly and how inflation will be stemmed. “Why is there no holistic approach towards tax reforms throughout the country,” she asked.

She said that the rural economy needs the biggest push, give that it is in dire straits. She also criticised Sitharaman’s statement against Rahul Bajaj’s statement on economy.​

TDP’s Jayadev Galla said the PM-KISAN scheme has not made an impact as rural distress continues. “Unemployment is also at a 40-year high,” he said, blaming it on low consumption. He said that individual tax-payers need to be given tax relief and the farmer needs to be made viable.

Galla also said that selling PSUs to recover from fiscal deficit is a wrong step. “By doing this, a time will come when there will be no PSUs to sell,” he said. Demand and consumption are declining, he said.

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

We could ban e-cigarettes, but we don’t live in Ordinance-raj, says KK Ragesh

CPM’s KK Ragesh said he is not opposing to a ban on e-cigarettes. “But we do not live in an ordinance-Raj. We live in a democracy,” he said.

“This House has time and again discussed how this House has been promulgating Ordinances,” he added.

Congress’ Digvijaya Singh asked if there is a special reason behind the government deciding to ban e-cigarettes even as cigarette, gutkha consumption continues.

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

If cigarettes are ‘bad terrorists’, e-cigarettes are ‘good terrorists, says BJP MP

Comparing the e-cigarette ban with the gutkha ban, BJD’s Amar Patnaik said that the effects of nicotine on the body mentioned in the Bill would also hold true for the consumption of regular products.​

YSRCP’s V Vijaysai Reddy said that electronic nicotine delivery systems are much more attractive as compared to the initial bad taste left by cigarettes. “The WHO convention on tobacco control invited all signatories to ban or regulate e-cigarettes. About 30 countries have banned e-cigarettes and their advertisement,” he said, supporting the ban on e-cigarettes.​

BJP’s DP Vats said that if cigarettes are the “bad terrorists”, e-cigarettes are the “good terrorists”. It has to be ensured that cigarette-smokers do not convert into e-cigarette smokers, he added.

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

Why so much haste in banning e-cigarettes, when nothing has been done to ban tobacco, asks DMK MP

E-cigarettes are percent less harmful than cigarettes, JD(U)’s Ram Chandra Prasad quoted data. “But if it does any harm at all, it should be stopped. We do yoga, pranayama to improve lung power. Then why are we getting this (e-cigarettes) from America?,” he asked, supporting the Bill in Rajya Sabha.

He also said that regulation and formulation of rules governing the purchase and sale of e-cigarettes on the dark web needs to be paid attention to by the government.

DMK’s Tiruchi Siva asked the reason behind the urgency to get the Bill in the House. Stating the prediction that by 2020, 13 percent of the total deaths will be because of tobacco use and consumption, he said that there is no evidence that e-cigarettes are more harmful than cigarettes.

You have shown so much haste in banning e-cigarettes. What have you done to ban tobacco?” he asked.

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

Members raise issue over absence of Cabinet Minister

Opposition MPs raised an issue over the absence of a Cabinet Minister as the discussion on the prohibition of e-cigarettes was underway. The Opposition benches only fell silent once Health Minister Harsh Vardhan returned to the Treasury Benches.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

BJP leaders hit out at Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s ’nirbala’ jibe

Hitting out at Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for calling Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ’nirbala’ or weak, BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao said, “If such things are allowed then there is so much that we can say against the Congress leadership that they will need to run for cover. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has made a misogynist statement and needs treatment.”

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Ruling party not ready to accept economic slowdown, says DMK MP

There was no GDP before 1934. To make the GDP the Bible, Ramayana, Mahabharata is not right, BJP’s Nishikant Dubey said in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019. There may not even be much use of the GDP in the future, he said.

“Today’s theory is if sustainable economic welfare is reaching the common man or not. Happiness and sustainable development are more important than GDP,” Dubey added. 

Meanwhile, DMK’s Andimuthu Raja said that the ruling party does not accept the economic slowdown. “This is evident from the speeches of my fellow parliamentarians. They are not ready to accept that implementing GST was wrong,” he said.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Bill helps profitable become more profitable, says Mahua Moitra

Trinamool Congress’ Mahua Moitra opposed the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019, saying that she does not agree with the reasoning that the reduction of corporate tax rate can impact the GDP growth rate. She called the bill a haphazard approach towards a better economy.

She said that two moves of the Narendra Modi government spelt a death knell for the Indian economy – demonetisation and GST.

“The Bill only helps the profitable become more profitable,” she said, adding that the government has withheld the Direct Tax Code report from the House.

Businesses are struggling because of insane compliance and harassment and existing companies cannot utilise these schemes, Moitra said. “Are you interested in the illusion of a sop or are you interested in really giving a sop,” she asked.

“The government wants to treat foreigners better than Indians. That is why FIIs are exempted from paying the taxes. I request you to treat the economic problem holistically, the tax cut will apply to all manufacturers,” Moitra said.

“If this bill was really to help everybody, especially MSME sector, then the tax rate reduction should apply to all entities. It should not apply to just the companies, it should apply to LLPs, partnership firms and other non-corporate entities also,” she said.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury tells Nirmala Sitharaman she cannot speak her mind

“I sometimes wonder whether instead of calling you Nirmala Sitharaman,  we should call you Nirbala (weak) Sitharaman. You hold the post of a minister, yet it’s not clear whether you can speak your mind,” he said in Hindi.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Discuss measure with Manmohan Singh, Adhir ranjan Chowdhury advises Nirmala Sitharaman

Speaking against the Bill, Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the Finance Minister lacks long-term “vision, mission and perspective”.

“Hence she has had to always resort to knee-jerk, panic measures to improve the weakening economy,” said Chowdury. He said the finance minister should reduce GST rate for individuals to induce demand. He added that the credibility of the government is being affected.

“We should not be ashamed of learning something from somebody. Please talk to former prime minister Manmohan Singh, and discuss the matter with him. If you want to save the country, you will have to talk to Manmohan Singh,” said Chowdhury.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Necessary to take quick call on reducing corporate taxes, says Nirmala Sitharaman​

While introducing the Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2019, Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman said that it was necessary to quickly take a call in reducing corporate tax, “Keeping in mind the trade war between USA and China, with indications that many of these corporates and multinational companies would want to get out of China.”

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

Beedi workers be protected if tobacco use is abolished, says Vijala Sathyanathan

AIADMK’s Vijala Sathyanathan spoke about the decline in tobacco usage and said that smoking should be disallowed at airports, restaurants and even in the Parliament.

She also said that beedi workers must be protected if tobacco use is abolished.

Rajya Sabha latest updates​

‘Shut down all smoking areas in public’: AIADMK MP Vijila Satyananth

Vijila Satyananth (AIADMK) spoke about the decline in tobacco usage while the Upper House the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Bill, 2019 was being discussed.

She also demanded that all smoking areas in airports, restaurants, and even in Parliament should be shut down. She added that beedi workers must be protected if tobacco use is abolished.

Lok Sabha latest update

Steel sector witnessing growth after slowdown, claims Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan

The steel sector is witnessing growth in the recent past after a slowdown, with India becoming a net exporter in the current financial year, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said during the Question Hour on Monday. He said steel is a deregulated sector where market forces and commercial considerations decide construction and location of new steel plants.

He was responding to a query on whether the government proposes to set up new steel plants in Haryana.  According to him, India has become a net exporter of steel in the current year.

“The import of steel has increased marginally in the last three years from 7.23 million tonnes in 2016-17 to 7.83 million tonnes in 2018-19,” he said.

-PTI

Lok Sabha latest update

FM begins resolution to repeal taxation law ordinance

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharama begins a statutory resolution to repeal the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 in Lower House

Lok Sabha latest updates​

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleges BJP of ‘dividing people’ through NRC

Adhir Rajan Chowdhury responded to apology demands from BJP MPs saying Members of the Treasury Benches are making “mountains out of molehills”. He further alleged that the Centre was trying to identify infiltrators in West Bengal and Assam though the National Register of Citizens of India (NRC), and creating divisions in the minds of people.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that if Chowdhury doesn’t apologise for his remarks, he would demand an apology from Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.​ Chowdhury hit back saying that even Sonia Gandhi has been called an ‘infiltrator’ by the BJP.

Lok Sabha latest updates​

BJP MP asks govt to check Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s Indian origins

As zero Hour continues in the Lower House, ​BJP MP Nishikant Dubey condemns Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for calling Narendra Modi and Amit Shah as infiltrators. He asked the government to check if Chowdhury is an Indian citizen or not.

Lok Sabha latest updates​

Shouting continues as BJP demands apology from Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

The Lower House of the Parliament begins discussions post-lunch break. Amid protests as BJP continues to shout slogans asking for Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to apologise for allegedly calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah as ‘infiltrators’.

BJP MP Prahlad Joshi hits back at the Congress saying that a party that has made a foreigner as a party leader (Sonia Gandhi) shouldn’t talk about infiltrators.

Rajya Sabha latest updates​

BJP MP Vikas Mahatme begins discussion on ban of e-cigarettes bill

Speaker tried to get the house in order after lunch break. Meanwhile, BJP MP Vikas Mahatme starts the discussion in favour of The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Bill, 2019. 

This bill was introduced in Lok Sabha by Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan, will replace an Ordinance promulgated in September 2019, if passed. The Bill seeks to prohibit the production, trade, storage and advertisement of electronic cigarettes.

Rajya Sabha MP Sonal Mansingh questions government, police, civil society’s apathy

Expressing dismay over the apathy shown by the government, police and civil society, Rajya Sabha MP Sonal Mansingh raised questions about why incidents like the Hyderabad rape and murder continue to occur.

Those who committed the crime should be exposed in public, says Jaya Bachchan

While speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Jaya Bachchan had called for the public shaming and lynching of those accused in the Hyderabad rape and murder case.

Rajya Sabha latest updates​
 

Rajya Sabha MPs discuss Polavaram Project, road safety, Delhi pollution

Responding to Vijay Goel’s questions about what the government is doing to reduce pollution in Delhi, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said that Rs 50,000 crore worth of road projects have been sanctioned in Delhi. He also mentioned projects like the Dwarka Expresssway.

During a discussion on the Polavaram Project, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that the project’s new date of completion is December 2021. In response to BJD’s Sasmit Patra concern about the project having an impact on the people of Odisha, Shekhawat said, “Such matters are pending in the Supreme Court and before its decision, the matter cannot be discussed in the House.”

Gadkari responding to a question, said road accidents have been reduced the most in Tamil Nadu and other states are being directed to implement similar measures. He added that the new Motor Vehicles Act provides for pensions and benefits for welfare of drivers. At least 1,000 training institutes for drivers are being set up, he added.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2.15 pm

BJP MPs raised an uproar in the House after Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury allegedly called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah infiltrators.

BJP’s Pralhad Joshi called Chowdhury an infiltrator and demanded an unconditional apology from him. Protests from the Treasury benches continue their protest as Chowdhury rises to respond and says his statement has been misconstrued.

Rajya Sabha latest updates​
 

TDP MP calls for capital punishment to rapists in public​

DMK’s P Wilson said courts should be empowered to surgically and chemically castrate convicted rapists before they are released from jails so as to check repeat offenders. “ The cost of such procedure should be recovered from the accused by selling his assets,” he said.

Congress’ Mohd Ali Khan said timelines should be set for trial of accused in fast track courts and the accused not be given a religious colour. The accused in the Hyderabad incident belong to four separate religions and not one, he said.​

Amar Patnaik of the BJD demanded death for such heinous crimes. While TK Rangarajan of CPM said laws be framed to tackle crime are not percolating down, DMK’s Vaiko wanted concrete action be taken to deal with such crimes.​

Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar (TDP) demanded that capital punishment be given to the rapists in public, RJD’s Manoj Kumar Jha said deterrence is not enough.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Centre ready to make a law that entire House agrees to, says Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for the strictest possible penalty to culprits in the Hyderabad rape and murder case. “A strict law came after the Nirbhaya case, but the crimes have not reduced. The government will take whatever steps are necessary to deliver justice in the case,” he said.

Leaving it up to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to hold a discussion on the matter in the House, Singh said that the Centre is ready to make any law that MPs deem fit to deal with such cases.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Hang my head in shame, says Supriya Sule

S Jothimani also cited the examples of the rape cases in Coimbatore and Pollachi and said that the culprits are still out. “There is a law, but it has not been implemented,” she said.

“Chief Minister took three days to set up a fast track court to start proceedings in this matter. The message going out is that state and central government are proving ineffective in keeping women safe,” said Anupriya Patel.

“A lady doctor was abducted, gang-raped, murdered and burnt in a high security area. One of the causes of the incident is indiscriminate sale of liquor. We request a fast track court be set up and accused hanged till death,” UKN Reddy said.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Lok Sabha begins discussion on Hyderabad rape and murder

TR Baalu condemned not just the Hyderabad rape and murder but also a similar incident in Coimbatore. He demanded that fast-track courts be set up to deal with such cases.​

Saugata Roy called the local administration callous and condemned the Governor’s shameful statement in the matter. He demanded that rape be made punishable only by death.​

Pinaki Misra sought that a law be brought expeditiously to make death the only penalty for rape.

Supriya Sule said that a policy of zero tolerance by followed in the case of such crimes.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Nirmala Sitharaman says 78 percent of all depositors can withdraw their entire account balance

In the question raised regarding the measures taken by the government to provide relief to affected depositors and bring the accused to task, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam said that in coordination with the RBI, 78 percent of all PMC Bank depositors are now allowed to withdraw their entire account balance.

“Small depositors will have to be given withdrawal rights. Hardship allowance can be invoked. Upto 1 lakh people are allowed to withdraw,” Sitharaman said.

“As regard to promoters, we have ensured that the attached properties of the promoters can be given to RBI under certain conditions, so those properties can be auctioned out and the money can be given to depositors,” she added.

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

Venkaiah Naidu seeks review of juvenile laws

Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said that only forming laws is not the solution. “Even after giving punishment, look at what is happening. They file appeals for mercy, but should such people be shown mercy?” he asked.

“We have to look at a change in the legal, judicial system. This is not being discussed only because of Hyderabad. It is happening in various parts of the country,” he said, calling crimes against women a societal disease.

Those who commit such acts should not be seen on the age spectrum, Naidu said seeking a review of juvenile laws. “What is required is not a new bill. What is required is political will, administrative skill, change of mindset and then go for kill of the social evil,” he said. 

He also called for addressing the issue of drug abuse.

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

Incidents like Hyderabad rape and murder a thorn in civilised society, says Bhupendra Yadav

“In a civilised society, such incidents are a thorn,” said BJP’s Bhupendra Yadav, adding that safety of working women is an issue that is not just the responsibility of the government, but also the society. We have to come together as a society to form laws and find a solution, he added.

Rajya Sabha latest updates

Jaya Bachchan calls for public shaming, lynching of accused in case

Congress’ Amee Yajnik in Rajya Sabha requested all the systems – judiciary, legislative, executive and other systems – to come together to see that a social reformation takes place. “This should be on emergency basis,” she said.

BSP’s Vir Singh said that there are many women who don’t even report such incidents. He sought fast-track courts and stricter laws for such crimes.

SP MP Jaya Bachchan said that people need the government to give a definite answer. “Authorities in Hyderabad should be asked why they couldn’t protect an area where a similar incident had occurred only a day before. These people (perpetrators) should be publicly shamed,” she said.

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

Teary-eyed AIADMK MP Vijila Sathyananth calls for death penalty for perpetrators of Hyderabad crime

The AIADMK lawmaker in the Rajya Sabha sought death penalty to the four accused in the Hyderabad rape and murder case before 31 December. She expressed anguish over the spate of such crimes in the recent crimes, including those reported in Tamil Nadu recently.

Citing the example of the time taken to deliver justice in the Nirbhaya gangrape case, AAP’s Sanjay Singh sought that cases as gruesome as these be tried only by fast-track courts.

“The country is not safe for children and women. Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

Only laws not enough to deal with such heinous crimes, says Ghulam Nabi Azad

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad condemned the Hyderabad rape and murder case in the Upper House. He said that only laws are not enough to put a stop to such heinous crimes, but there is also a pressing need to spread awareness.

“No government or leader would want that such incident occurs in their state. To eradicate such acts, there’s a need that we take a stand together against such crimes,” he said.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Lok Sabha session commences with protests from Opposition over Hyderabad rape and murder case

Opposition members raise storm over the rape and murder of a woman veterinarian in Hyderabad. While the members sought immediate debate given the pressing nature of the issue, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that the matter will be discussed after the Question Hour.

List of notices given in Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha

CPI MP Binoy Viswam has given ‘Suspension of Business Notice’ in Rajya Sabha under rule 267, over ’exponential rise in the price of essential commodities such as onions and pulses’.

Congress and Indian Union Muslim League has given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha over ‘Chinese incursion into the territory of Arunachal Pradesh’.

All India Trinamool Congress, Revolutionary Socialist Party, Shiv Sena and Congress has given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha over ‘gang rape and killing of girls in Hyderabad’.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha over ’economic recession and unprecedented job losses in IT sector’​.

BJP MP Sampatiya Uike has given Zero Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha, over ‘high cost of medical treatment in private hospitals’.

BJP MP Uday Pratap Singh has given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha, over ‘derogatory remarks made by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha) against PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.’