Parliament Updates: Lok Sabha adjourned for the day; Sitharaman to reply on Budget debate at 10 am tomorrow

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‘Over 167 lakh dozes of COVID vaccine supplied to 20 countries so far’

Over 167 lakh doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been supplied to 20 countries till 9 February, Minister of State for Health Ashwini Choubey informed the Lok Sabha on Friday and asserted that external supplies of the vaccine are being undertaken with due regard to domestic production and adequate availability for the national vaccination programme.

“Supplies have been made of 167.7 lakh doses to 20 countries until 9 February 2021. This includes gift of 62.7 lakh doses to 13 countries and commercial procurement of 105 lakh doses by eight countries,” Choubey said in a written reply .

India is a member of COVAX facility (created by Gavi Global Alliance for Vaccines & Immunization, CEPI  Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and WHO  World Health Organisation) and is both a recipient of vaccines from the facility as well as a supplier of vaccines.

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BJP MPs move privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi

BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal moved a Privilege Motion Notice against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, citing “serious breach of privilege and contempt of the House on 11th February 2021”. Another BJP MP Rakesh Singh said, “Congress party should follow rules. Rahul Gandhi should have taken permission to observe two minute silence.”

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Lok Sabha extended till midnight

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BJP MPs slam Rahul Gandhi over ‘mourning’ farmer deaths in Lok Sabha

BJP MPs on Friday termed as “contempt” and “derogatory behaviour” Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s motion to observe a “mourning” tribute for the farmers who have lost their lives in the duration of the protests. On Thursday, Gandhi led Congress, DMK, and TMC MPs in observing the tribute in the Lok Sabha.

“The action Rahul Gandhi took yesterday was not his place. It is only the prerogative of the Speaker or Chair to initiate such actions. His action was in contempt of the House and appropriate action should be taken against him,” said Rajasthan BJP MP PP Chaudhary.

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Creation of health ID under NDHM not mandatory for citizens, says Centre

Creation of a health ID under the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) is not mandatory for citizens, Minister of State for Health, Ashwini Choubey, informed Parliament on Friday. On 15 August, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the NDHM, following which NDHM pilot mode was launched in the Union Territories of Chandigarh, Ladakh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

The budget allocated for the NDHM for 2020-21 is Rs 30 crore, Choubey said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. The budget allocated for health IDs for the year 2020-21 is Rs 1.06 crore. The expenditure on health IDs till December 31 is Rs 52.02 lakh. There is no provision for state and UT wise budget and expenditure, the minister said.

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Lok Sabha discusses welfares for aanganwadi workers

In the time stipulated for the Private Member’s Bill in the Lower House, the members are discussing welfare measures and working conditions of the aangandwadi workers.

While MPs have also pitched for increased wages for the workers to at least Rs 10,000, some also listed the tasks that are part of the workload for anganwadi workers.

BJP MP Ajay Misra Teni said that a resolution must be brought in for the welfare measures for anganwadi workers and anganwadi helpers.

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Lok Sabha passes Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill

Ravi Shankar Prasad addressed the arguments made by Opposition MPs on the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha.

He claimed that India’s rank has improved from 186 rank in 2015 to 163 in terms of enforcing contracts, and also said that the country has improved in the ease of doing business.

He addressed the critcism over bringing in an amendment. “After an arbitral award is given, if it is found that fraud has been committed then this gives the option of stay by a court. If an award is given against the Union government or a State government is given by fraud and an investor wants to enforce it, is it fair that thousands of crore of tax payers’ money.

“Why not ordinance? Should we part with tax payers’ money?” He said.

“Today I take the freedom of this House to appeal to the judiciary to exercise their discretion in picking up the genuine PILs – issues like compensation of labourers, etc. Independence of judiciary is part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution.”

“But there is also another basic structure that is separation of power. That governance should be left to the people who are elected members and are accountable to this House.”

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Centre says seeking to make India ‘hub for international, domestic arbitration’

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad begins his argument in favour of the arbitration amendment bill in the Lok Sabha. 

He said that the Centre “will make India a big hub for international and domestic arbitration”.

He added that India needs a fillip to institutional arbitration.  “We welcome arbitrators of any nationality.”

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Oppn cites India’s poor ranking in enforcing contracts

MPs from the TDP, BSP, among others mentioned that India has a poor track record of enforcing contracts in the discussion on the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha on Friday.

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Supriya Sule says ’need progressive legislation’

NCP MP Supriya Sule said that the Centre should bring in “progressive legislations instead of retrospective legislations” for the ease of business. She also said that the “Parliament and courts are having constant tussle”.

TRS MP Nama Nageswara Rao also questioned the government over whether it has “evidence of fraud and corruption in arbitral awards since the proposed amendment deals with empowering courts with regard to arbitral awards,” The Hindu reported.

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BSP MP says World Bank ranked India poorly in enforcing contracts

BSP MP Ritesh Pandey, participating in the discussion on the bill introduced by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, said that the World Bank has given India a poor ranking in enforcing contracts. India ranks 163 out of 190.

Pandey also pitched for making the bill more broad based.

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BJD says Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill is convoluted

BJD MP Pinaki Misra also weighed in on the debate on the  Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha on Friday. He said that “India was scored poorly when it comes to enforcing contracts” and added that the drafting of the bill is convoluted.

He also appealed to Union Law Minister Ravvi Shankar Prasad to evaluate the bill again.

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Mallikarjun Kharge to be Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge will be the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, succeeding Ghulam Nabi Azad whose tenure comes to an end on Monday. Congress president Sonia Gandhi has written to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu for appointing Kharge to the post as Azad is retiring.

Azad was elected to the Upper House from Jammu and Kashmir, which does not have an assembly currently after it was made a Union Territory with the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution.

Kharge, a Dalit leader from Karnataka, was the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha from 2014 to 2019. The grand old party could not get the Leader of Opposition’s post in the previous and the current Lok Sabha as its numbers were less than the mandated 10 per cent of the total number of seats in the Lower House.

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Lok Sabha to convene at 10 am tomorrow

The Lok Sabha will convene at 10 am on Saturday instead of the scheduled 4 pm, Speaker Om Birla said in the Lower House on Friday. The first leg of the Rajya Sabha’s session on the Budget ended on Friday, hence, the Lok Sabha will be able to meet in the morning.

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Discussion on Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill begins

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad presented the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha on Friday.

He said it provides that an application under Section 34 can be considered for the purpose of setting it aside on certain grounds if an arbitration is awarded.

“There is also a provision for stay on Section 36 on filing of an application. But there was no provision to stay the arbitration award even if it is beset by fraud or corruption. We have done a very limited modification that if the court is prima facie satisfied that the agreement and award is vitiated by fraud/ corruption, the court can stay it till the conclusion of the proceedings,” he said.

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BJP MP says OTT platforms should be under Censorship Board’s jurisdiction

BJP MP Manoj Kishorebhai Kotak said that content on OTT platforms should be included under the “censorship system”. “Obscenity is being dished out through certain TV series and Web series,” another BJP MP Kirit Solanki added.

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Need clarification on LAC disengagement agreement, says Congress

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary demanded clarifications on the statement made by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the situation at the India-China border in eastern Ladakh.

He asked whether India was “letting go of any advantage” due to the agreement. “He said Chinese army had entered 18-km inside in Depsang, asking what measures were taken in this regard,” The Hindu reported.

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Lok Sabha takes up Zero Hour

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Lok Sabha discusses action against climate change

Replying to questions, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said that in areas that are at risk of rising sea-level, a wall is being built. Such areas are the Sundarbans and in parts of Kerala, he said.

On a query about action to reduce air pollution, Javadekar said, “The prime minsiter had launched the air quality index in 2015, and subsequently several scientific measures were taken. In this Budget, for 46 cities, Rs 50 crore each has been provided. A huge amount is now available with local municipal corporations to combat air pollution, we are creating new infrastructure and are involving citizens for reducing air pollution.”

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Budget pragmatic, aims at economic recovery and financial reforms: BJP

The BJP defended the Union Budget in the Rajya Sabha on Friday saying it is “pragmatic, provides relief to the poor and unemployed and aims at economic recovery as well as financial reforms”. The BJP said the Budget takes care of all sections of society and has earmarked funds for all including strengthening of the health sector.

Participating in the debate on the Union Budget in the Upper House of Parliament, BJP leader and union minister Anurag Thakur attacked Opposition parties, alleging that they were using farmers for their political gains and asserted that the three new farm laws will help in doubling the incomes of peasants.

He challenged the Opposition leaders to show him if any of the three laws say that the regime of mandis and MSP would come to an end due to the legislation. “We are committed to double the income of the farmers,” Thakur said.

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Harsh Vardhan says 15 AIIMS sanctioned since 2014

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan told the Lok Sabha that 15 new AIIMS facilities have been sanctioned by the Centre since 2014.

“There are states like Kerala which have demanded institutions like AIIMS, it is under consideration. In Kerala there has never been a consensus on where they want AIIMS,” he said.

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Harsh Vardhan fields questions on setting up AIIMS across country

Union Health, and Science and Technology minister Harsh Vardhan answered questions from MPs on the setting up of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) across the country. MPs from Kerala and Tamil Nadu questioned the Budget allocation for setting up AIIMS in their states.

However, Vardhan replied saying that the Centre requires coordination from the state governments in setting up the facilities.

He also replied to TMC MP Saugata Roy, who mentioned the Budget allocation for the science sector. He said, “This year’s Budget allocation on science related sectors is 20 percent improvement over the last year’s Budget.”

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Highest ever spending under MNREGA during FY21, says FM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government has “removed all ills” from the rural-employment guarantee scheme MNREGA and spent highest ever about Rs 90,500 crore so far this fiscal. Replying to the Budget debate in the Rajya Sabha, the minister attacked the opposition Congress failing to utilise the entire amount allocated in the Budgets when they were in power.

She said during the COVID pandemic year, the government has spent Rs 90,469 crore under the MNREGA rural employment scheme, which highest ever. Sitharaman said for 2020-21, the budget estimate was Rs 61,500 crore for the scheme, which has been increased to Rs 1,11,500 in the revised estimates.

“Your track record is bad. Never your budget estimate was met,” the finance minister said as she reeled out data from 2009-10 and subsequent years under the Congress-led UPA regime.

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Lok Sabha session starts with Question Hour

The Lok Sabha session has started for Friday. The Lower House has taken up Question Hour.

The first question has been posed to Union minister Prakash Javadekar by a BJP MP from Uttarakhand on the vacant positions in the local Doordarshan and Akashwani offices.

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BJP slams Rahul Gandhi over remarks on China border stand-off

Hitting back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India-China border standoff, the BJP accused him on Friday of “lying left, right and centre” and denigrating the country’s security forces. The party also said that the “nation cannot forgive the Gandhi family for losing 43,000 sq. kms of land to China”.

“When one does not have a moral conscience, when one cannot contribute anything positive, one resorts to lies. Rahul lied left, right and centre. Perhaps Rahul is depressed that he could not become PM. He knows that even his shadow won’t support him & can’t digest the huge public mandate to PM Narendra Modi,” Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pralhad Joshi said.

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RS adjourned till 8 March; first leg of Budget Session to end today

The first leg of the Budget Session in the Parliament will conclude on Friday. The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 8 March (Monday), said chairman Venkaiah Naidu.

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Narendra Modi removed all the ills from MNERGA: FM

Claiming that it was under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership that MNERGA scheme was effectively utilised, Nirmala Sitharaman said, “Centre is responsible for removing all ills from MNERGA.”

“We have overseen the highest ever utilisation at Rs 90.469 crore of the rural employment scheme,” Sitharaman added.

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Numbers of Congress’s 2007-08 Budget are suspect: FM responding to Chidambaram’s allegations

Responding to former Finance Minister P Chidambaram’s allegation that “major numbers are suspect in the Budget”, Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted three instances in 2007-08 Budget, saying those numbers were suspect. 

She attacked the UPA government for what she claimed was lack of transparency. “To conclude, I don’t want competence to fudge. Narendra Modi doesn’t believe in fudging,” she said.

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Opposition creating a false narrative that govt is working for cronies: FM

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that “it has now become a sort of habit for some in the Opposition to constantly allege, in spite of what we are doing for the poor, that this government only works for the cronies.”

“More than 1.76 crore houses under PM Awas Yojana, 2.76 crore houses electrified- Are these for the rich?” she said, adding that the Opposition, “is unthinkingly throwing allegations.”

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Budget 2021 to provide strong stimulus to deal with COVID-19 impact: FM

The main features of the Union Budget 2021 are infrastructure creation, continuing reforms and ensuring transparency of accounts, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.

“The Union Budget 2021 was an attempt to provide a strong stimulus to deal with the impact of the coronavirus crisis,” she said.

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Congress left MGNREGA in a mess: Sitharaman 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hits out at the Congress for taking the credit for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). “You may have given birth to the scheme but you left it in a mess,” said the finance minister.

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800 mn people received free foodgrains: Nirmala Sitharaman

It is worth mentioning that 800 million people were provided free foodgrains, free cooking gas provided for 80 million people and cash directly was given to 400 million people, farmers, women, divyang and also the poor and needy, Nirmala Sitharaman said in Rajya Sabha on Friday.

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‘Budget to benefit the poor, not ‘damads’ of country’, FM alludes to Robert Vadra

Taking a veiled dig on the Congress, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said that the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are aimed at benefiting the poor and not the “damads of this country”. 

An uproar ensued in the Upper House after finance minister made the statement alluding to Priyanka Gandhi’s husband Robert Vadra.

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Centre’s reforms to bring sustained growth of economy: FM 

The finance minister on Friday said that through the Union Budget 2021, Centre is looking for medium and long-term growth. “Post-pandemic and post-global contraction, economies have suffered all over the world. The attempt that has been made in this Budget is to provide a strong stimulus and have a multiplier effect,” said Nirmala Sitharaman in the Rajya Sabha.

“Building Atmanirbhar Bharat reflects the aspirations of people of India, two-thirds of who are youth. The youth is not looking only for assistance, they are looking for an ecosystem,” she said.

“The reforms that our government is introducing will bring is sustained growth. The relief and succor that was so required for the people was provided,” the finance minister said.

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Opposition creating false narrative on Budget 2021: Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman listed out the policies of the government that are aimed at rural development, with a special thrust on small farmers. She further accused the Opposition of “unthinkingly throwing allegations at the government” and creating a false narrative around the Budget.

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Budget 2021 to focus on making India self-reliant: Nirmala Sitharaman

Nirmala Sitharaman began her speech on Union Budget 2021 in Rajya Sabha by saying that this year’s financial statement will focus on building a self-reliant India.

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TMC MP Dinesh Trivedi announces resignation from Rajya Sabha

All India Trinamool Congress MP Dinesh Trivedi on Friday submitted his resignation during his speech in Rajya Sabha saying that he feels “suffocated” for not being able to do anything of the ground situation in West Bengal despite being a parliamentarian. 

“I am grateful for my party, but feel suffocated as I am not able to do anything when there is violence happening in my state,” Trivedi said.

“If despite being a parliamentarian and sitting here I am unable to express myself and do something about what is happening in my state, it’s better to not be here and give my resignation,” he said.

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‘Inequality between the rich and the poor has widened’: Congress MP

Speaking on the farmers’ agitation, Congress leader Deependra Singh Hooda accused the Centre of reducing the agricultural Budget by 8.5 percent. 

“There has always been a difference in what the government says and actually does. The government that talks of atmanirbhar India has reduced the Budget of skill India. The so-called nationalist government has reduced the funds for pension for our soldiers,” said Hooda.

“This government has the highest rate of unemployment in 70 years. It has the highest fuel rates in 70 years. And the inequality between the rich and poor has widened far more in your tenure. Today, 1 percent of Indians own 73 percent of assets,” he said. 

“We had hoped that this Budget would answer the problems of farmers. It instead reduced the agricultural Budget by 8.5 percent,” the Congress MP said.

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‘Centre trying to sell India,’ says Sanjay Singh on Budget 2021

During the discussion on Union Budget in the Rajya Sabha, Aam Aadmi Party’s Sanjay Singh called the 2021 financial statement “a Budget to sell the country and its wealth”.

“India’s wealth does not belong to the government, but the people of the country, the Centre is trying to sell the country,” Singh added.

The AAP leader also slammed Narendra Modi for mocking the farmers in the parliament. “By humiliating protesting farmers you are insulting Mahatma Gandhi and all the other freedom fighters who protested for this nation’s freedom,” he added.

BSP, Congress MPs give adjournment notices in Lok Sabha

Bahujan Samaj Party MP Ritesh Pandey gave an Adjournment Motion Notice in the Lok Sabha demanding to discuss the issue of “equitable access to quality education for children in all parts of India”.

Congress MPs K Suresh and TN Prathapan gave an Adjournment Motion Notice in the Lower House demanding a discussion on hike in fuel prices

BJP’s Bhupinder Yadav accuses Opposition of ‘misreading statistics to create fear’

BJP MP Bhupender Yadav said during the discussion on Union Budget in the Rajya Sabha that the Opposition is misreading statistics to create fear among people.

“Those who speak about farmers have never heard farmer’s views. The three farm laws will bring new life to the rural economy. Which is why the government is speaking to farmers keeping an open mind,” Yadav said.

Government providing protection to friendly corporates, says Congress’ Shaktisinh Gohil

Shaktisin Gohil of Congress said the BJP-led Centre wants the poor to be aatmanirbhar but “provides protection to friendly corporates”.

“You present lucrative schemes but with a terms and conditions. You said senior citizens do not have to file income tax but then terms and conditions were applied. You have zero duty on scrap imported from foreign countries, but slap 2.5 percent duty on scrap collected here. 40 percent tax has to be given to states, so this government is slapping cess that has not to be shared with states,” he said.

He sought an explanation from the government on how the mandis will be shut if farm laws are implemented. “Whenever you sell a product you have to pay tax to APMC, if products are sold outside and tax is not paid, how will APMC survive? Don’t assume that farmers are fool, they have understood,” Gohil said.

“Manmohan Singh had constituted a committee of which then Chief Minister Narendra Modi was the head. He had said in the report that MSP should not be removed. Now that same person, after become the prime minister is misquoting Singh and Sharad Pawar,” he said.

Centre has given ‘bhoomi, akash, paatal’ for FDI: CPI’s Binoy Visvam

CPI MP Binoy Viswam said in the Rajya Sabha that the Centre will become the executive committee of the Bourgeoisie. “You have given bhoomi, akasham, pathalam (land and skies) all for FDI. This government is for FDI.  The market model has failed everywhere, including the USA,” he said.

He went on to say that though the Centre has claimed a hike in allotment for sanitation, health and nutrition, there has actually been a decrease in allocation despite the coronavirus pandemic.

No explanation on sector-specific revival: TMC’s Abir Ranjan Biswas

Abir Ranjan Biswas of the Trinamool Congress said in the Rajya Sabha that there has been no explanation of sector-specific revival of the economy. “The Budget allows for unbridled growth of corporates,” he said, adding that the Centre intends to privatise two more public sector banks, but haven’t mentioned which ones.

“LIC has been sacrificed at the altar of crony capitalists. The Rs. 100 crore package announced for tea plantation workers in Assam and West Bengal has come down to Rs. 2,000 per worker for the entire year. There are 5 lakh such workers,” Biswas said.

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FM to reply to Budget discussion at 2 pm in RS

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will respond to the Budget discussion at 2 pm in Rajya Sabha, said Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday.

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Modi govt India is among the top six economies: Anurag Thakur

Lauding Narendra Modi, under whose leadership India is “among the top six economies in the world”, Union Minister Anurag Thakur in the Rajya Sabha said the prime minister has done more for the poor and the downtrodden in this country more than any other leader. 

Replying to the Opposition calling this year’s Budget as an “Aam Budget” (ordinary Budget) he said it was Modi who gave over 10 crore toilets to the poor and supplied electricity in every village.

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Budget 2021 will lead India to become self reliant, an economic powerhouse: Anurag Thakur 

Speaking during the Budget Session in Rajya Sabha on Friday, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that the 2021 Budget sets India on the path of becoming an economic and manufacturing powerhouse.

“This Budget shows a hope to build new India, a stronger India and to build a self-reliant India,” Thakur said.

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Anurag Thakur attacks Oppostion over farmers’ stir

Taking a swipe at the Opposition over the three agri reforms, Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur said, “I challenge Congress and Opposition leaders to show where is it written that Mandi and Minimum Support Price system will end.”

“There has been a 34.4% increase in capital expenditure in this Budget. We have set a target to make India TB free by 2025,” he said.

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14 crore job cards issued under MGNREGA: Narendra Singh Tomar

On being asked about the eligibility under MGNREGA, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in the Rajya Sabha said that 14 crore job cards have been issued under MGNREGA so far.

“10 crore people are working, and women participation is 52 percent. I can provide district wise data later,” said Tomar.

“Whenever demand is created, efforts are on to meet the demands. The Budget has increased, Rs 1,11,000 crore has been allocated and Rs 90,000 crore has been disbursed to the states.”

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No passenger death due to train accidents since March 2019: Piyush Goyal

The last passenger death due to a railway accident happened on 22 March 2019. For the nearly 22 months, we’ve not had a single passenger death due to train accidents, said Railways Minister Piyush Goyal in Rajya Sabha

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Mallikarjun Kharge likely to replace Ghulam Nabi Azad as Leader of Opposition

Veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to succeed Ghulam Nabi Azad as the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, according to several media reports . 

He will be the second person from Karnataka to be the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

Azad’s term in the Upper House will end on 15 February. Congress will be informing the Rajya Sabha chairman on the appointment.

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Inadequate COVID-19 testing in Bihar: Manoj Kumar Jha

Manoj Kumar Jha of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in the Rajya Sabha demanded a high level committee be set up in Bihar to probe the “fudging in COVID-19 testing” in the state.

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TMC MP gives notice over ‘sale of public sector undertakings’

Trinamool Congress leader Abir Ranjan Biswas gave Zero Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over the “sale of public sector undertakings”, reported ANI.

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Zero Hour begins in Rajya Sabha

Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba of the BJP asked that the Manipuri language in Manipuri script be included in the Indian currency notes.

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Bills to be presented in Lok Sabha

1. The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (for consideration and passing)

2. Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020 (consideration of Rajya Sabha amendments)

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RECAP: Ravi Shankar Prasad slams Twitter for ‘double standards’

In the backdrop of Centre’s row with Twitter, speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Thursday took aim at social media companies.

“We have flagged Twitter, and is in dialogue with them. Why is it that when the police has to act in US Capitol Hill they stand in support, but when a similar action is taken at Red Fort, they oppose it? Freedom of speech is there, but with reasonable restrictions. Why double standards?” Prasad said.

“I have a message for social media platforms — freedom is important, but showing revenge sex video, street fights, porn videos, family issues on social media? Revisit unbridled exposure of double-standards of your own guidelines,” he added.

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RECAP: In RS, Rajnath Singh says status quo at LAC to be restored

Speaking in Rajya Sabha on Thursday morning, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India and China would “remove forward deployments in a phased and a coordinated manner” and that senior commanders from both sides would meet within 48 hours after disengagement from Pangong.

“Status quo will be restored,” Rajnath added.

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First leg of Budget Session to conclude today 

The first leg of the Union Budget Session in the Parliament will conclude on Friday, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said. Proceedings in the Upper House sitting has been extended till 3 pm.

The sitting for Saturday is cancelled. It was earlier decided that the Session would conclude on 13 February instead of on 15 February.

Parliament will stay adjourned till 8 March. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be speaking in the House on Friday.

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Reports to be presented in RS today:

1. Reports of the department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence

2. Reports of the department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development

3. Reports of the department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment

4. Report of the Committee on Empowerment of Women