Parliament LATEST Updates: RSP MP NK Premachandran spoke about the ‘back-door appointments’ by bypassing Public Service Commission list. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Raut spoke about the rising fuel prices. Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that Lakshadweep has stopped cargo operations to Calicut Port. The island is entirely dependent on cargo transport. This decision will only increase inflation, he added. Another Congress MP Manish Tewari spoke about the Myanmar coup. He urged the Centre to put international pressure to restore democracy in the country. The Union Home Minister listed several steps taken by the Centre for the development of Jammu and Kashmir. Citing the execution of the DDC polls to state that peace was prevailing in the Union Territory, he said, “Nobody, not even our rivals can say that there was fraud or unrest during the election (DDC). Everyone voted fearlessly and peacefully. 51 percent votes were cast in the Panchayat elections.” He also listed out the “reforms” taken up by the government, including the DDC polls and restarting Panchayats. “It is not just that. We have allocated Budget. Several departments have been handed over to panchayats. We have decentralised power. We have made it mandatory for all officers to stay in panchayat for two nights to know the ground reality. Such an exercise was taken up thrice and over 18,000 pending civic issues were solved.” “Kashmir will be connected by train in 2022. AIIMS is coming up in three places,” he added. Amit Shah targetted the Congress and said that the Opposition has made the issue of human rights a political gimmick. “People talk about human rights. But they didn’t grant voting rights to Valmikis and Pakistan refugees,” he added. “Anti-corruption and reservation laws became applicable only after Article 370 was abrogated. Ladakh got more money only after bifurcation. A number of infrastructure projects have been started in these two years,” he added. In his response to the debate in the Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah slammed the Opposition MPs questioning the steps taken for the development of Jammu and Kashmir. “Those asking me for status report on Jammu and Kashmir after Article 370 was abrogated, do you have a report on your progress in the last 70 years,” he said. He added, “I stand by what I said earlier. Statehood will definitely be restored to Jammu and Kashmir in time.” TMC MP Saugata Roy spoke about his opposition to the abrogation of Article 370 and said that “for the first time in Indian history, the government abolished a State”. He also questioned what the government achieved from bifurcating the state. “I don’t think everything happened in Kashmir since Independence was good. Mainstream politicians shouldn’t have been detained now,” he said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the Union Budget 2021-122 has set the pace for India to become aatmanirbhar. Replying to debate on the Budget in Lok Sabha, the minister also said the challenges of pandemic did not deter government from undertaking reforms for maintaining long term goals of the country. The reforms undertaken will lay the path for India to become one of those fastest-growing economies in the world, she said, adding the Budget has set the pace for India to become aatmanirbhar or self-reliant. Earlier this month, the finance minister presented a Rs 34.5 lakh crore Budget for 2021-22 in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Budget has laid emphasis on increasing capital expenditure, raising allocation for healthcare capacity building and development of agriculture infrastructure, among others, which are expected to have a multiplier effect on the economy. With regards to increasing allocation for rural job guarantee scheme, the finance minister said the government will allocate more funds for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA) scheme for 2021-22, if needed, as against Budget estimate of Rs 73,000 crore. Hitting out at the Opposition, Sitharaman said the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi works for common people and not for crony capitalists. Three BJP members in Lok Sabha on Friday moved a breach of privilege notice against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying by asking members to observe silence to mourn death of farmers during agitation without the permission of the Chair was a contempt of the House. In a dramatic move, Gandhi on Thursday led his party members and those from the TMC and the DMK to observe a two-minute silence by standing to mourn the death of farmers during the ongoing agitation. Claiming that “200 farmers” have died during protests, he had said he was doing this as the government has not paid tributes to them. This was perhaps for the first time in recent history that some members stood in silence to mourn deaths without being asked to do so by the Chair. BJP MPs Sanjay Jaiswal, Rakesh Singh and PP Chaudhary moved notice against Gandhi. Jaiswal said that Gandhi directed his party members to observe silence without taking permission from the Speaker. The House should take action against him, he said. Singh alleged that Gandhi has shown an unparliamentary behaviour and that has impacted the dignity of Parliament. He alleged that Gandhi works against the rules of Parliament. Sharing similar views, Chaudhary said that: “It is gross misconduct and it is a serious breach of privilege”. Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha on Friday, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury raised the issue of disengagement between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh, and sought a clarification from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on whether the Kailash range would be ceded as part of an agreement. There are certain issues on Ladakh which require further clarification from the defence minister, Chowdhury said during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha. After a lot of efforts by the Army, the Kailash range was brought under Indian control and the Chinese establishment was rattled by this achievement, he said. “I would like to know if we are going to leave this vantage point as part of disengagement… can this kind of quid pro quo can happen as part of disengagement,” he said. However, Speaker Om Birla told Chowdhury that this is not an issue of the Zero Hour and a separate notice needs to be served on this. On Thursday, the defence minister, while making a statement in Parliament, said India and China have reached an agreement on disengagement in the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh that mandates both sides to cease forward deployment of troops in a “phased, coordinated and verifiable” manner. In the statement in Parliament, the defence minister said China will pull back its troops to east of Finger 8 areas in the northern bank of Pangong lake while the Indian personnel will be based at their permanent base at Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3 in the region. Singh had also assured that India has not conceded anything in the sustained talks with China. India will not allow even an inch of its territory to be taken by anyone, Singh said. The defence minister had said the implementation of the pact will “substantially restore” the situation to the one which existed prior to the standoff that erupted on May 5 last, adding that the two sides have agreed that they should achieve complete disengagement at the “earliest” and abide fully by the bilateral agreements and protocols. Chowdhury also sought clarification on the Depsang plains, an issue which was also raised by former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi earlier in the day.
Parliament Updates: Lok Sabha adjourned till 8 March; J&K reorganisation amendment bill passed
Parliament LIVE Updates: Congress MP Manish Tewari spoke about the military coup in Myanmar. He urged the Centre to put international pressure to restore democracy in the country read more
 "Parliament Updates: Lok Sabha adjourned till 8 March; J&K reorganisation amendment bill passed")
Parliament LATEST updates
Lok Sabha adjourned
The Lower House will reconvene on 8 March.
Parliament LATEST updates
Rahul Gandhi becoming ‘doomsday man’ for India, said Nirmala Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying he is becoming a “doomsday man” for India by constantly insulting constitutional functionaries and creating fake narratives on various issues.
Replying to the general discussion on Budget in Lok Sabha, she said the former Congress chief was creating fake narratives but does not have patience to listen to replies on allegations levelled against the government. “We need to recognise these two tendencies of the Congress party… this makes it clear that their belief in a democratically elected Parliamentary system is completely finished,” Sitharaman said.
Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s speech on Thursday, during which he talked about farm laws but declined to speak on the Budget, she said, “he is probably becoming a doomsday man for India.” The Minister further said that Gandhi laid the “foundation” but did not speak about the Budget during the discussion on it.
Parliament LATEST updates
BJP MP says Bhojpuri must be recognised as scheduled language
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal said that the Centre must recognise Bhojpuri as a scheduled language.“It is already recognised in Mauritus and Suriname. Some 50 crore people speak it, but it is not recognised here,” he said.
Parliament LATEST updates
Maharashtra MPs bring up matters including MPLAD funds, boundary dispute
Members from Maharashtra, largely from the BJP, have raised several issues against the Uddhav Thackeray-led state government.
“Pritam Munde spoke about restoring MPLAD funds. A member raised boundary dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka, while another one sought water management in northern Maharashtra,” The Hindu reported.
Parliament LATEST updates
Govt pursuing reforms to make India one of world’s top economies, says FM
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday morning said that the government, undeterred by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been pursuing reforms for achieving sustained long-term growth in a bid to make India one of the top economies of the world in the coming decades.
Replying to debate on Budget 2021-22 in Lok Sabha, she said, the Prime Minister did not lose any opportunity to continue with the reforms and this Budget has set the pace for India to become self-reliant or Aatmanirbhar.
Earlier this month, the Finance Minister presented a Rs 34.5 lakh crore Budget for 2021-22, in the backdrop of the pandemic. The Budget has laid emphasis on increasing capital expenditure, raising allocation for healthcare capacity building and development of agriculture infrastructure, among others, which are expected to have a multiplier effect on the economy.
Parliament LATEST updates
Nishikant Dubey brings up breach of privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey spoke about the breach of privilege motion against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.
He also slammed the Congress leadership “for not issuing showcause notice to Gandhi and said that his membership should be revoked”, The Hindu reported.
Parliament LATEST updates
BSP extended support to Centre on J&K reorganisation amendment bill
The Bahujan Samaj Party on Saturday supported the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha and lashed out at the Congress for its opposition to the government’s measures that it said are in “support” of the poor, Dalits and other deprived communities in the Union Territory.
MP Malook Nagar said backward communities like Gujjar and Backarwal had been deprived of their rights in Jammu and Kashmir for long and are now getting their due, a reference to the Modi government’s move to roll out reservation for them in line with the national quota after the erstwhile state’s special status was revoked with the annulment of Article 370 of the Constitution in 2019.
Mayawati-led BSP had also backed the government on its move to abrogate Article 370. Her party is not part of the BJP-led alliance and had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in alliance with the SP against the BJP. It has since nuanced its position.
Parliament LATEST updates
Lok Sabha takes up Zero Hour
RSP MP NK Premachandran spoke about the ‘back-door appointments’ by bypassing Public Service Commission list. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Raut spoke about the rising fuel prices.
Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that Lakshadweep has stopped cargo operations to Calicut Port. The island is entirely dependent on cargo transport. This decision will only increase inflation, he added. Another Congress MP Manish Tewari spoke about the Myanmar coup. He urged the Centre to put international pressure to restore democracy in the country.
Parliament LATEST updates
Lok Sabha passes Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill by voice vote
Parliament LATEST updates
Opposition has made human rights political gimmick: Amit Shah
Amit Shah targetted the Congress and said that the Opposition has made the issue of human rights a political gimmick.
“People talk about human rights. But they didn’t grant voting rights to Valmikis and Pakistan refugees,” he added.
“Anti-corruption and reservation laws became applicable only after Article 370 was abrogated. Ladakh got more money only after bifurcation. A number of infrastructure projects have been started in these two years,” he added.
Parliament LATEST updates
Amit Shah lists developmental projects in Jammu and Kashmir
The Union Home Minister listed several steps taken by the Centre for the development of Jammu and Kashmir.
Citing the execution of the DDC polls to state that peace was prevailing in the Union Territory, he said, “Nobody, not even our rivals can say that there was fraud or unrest during the election (DDC). Everyone voted fearlessly and peacefully. 51 percent votes were cast in the Panchayat elections.”
He also listed out the “reforms” taken up by the government, including the DDC polls and restarting Panchayats. “It is not just that. We have allocated Budget. Several departments have been handed over to panchayats. We have decentralised power. We have made it mandatory for all officers to stay in panchayat for two nights to know the ground reality. Such an exercise was taken up thrice and over 18,000 pending civic issues were solved.”
“Kashmir will be connected by train in 2022. AIIMS is coming up in three places,” he added.
Parliament LATEST updates
Is Opposition ‘fit to demand’ accountability?: Amit Shah
Amit Shah questioned whether the Opposition parties were “fit to demand” accountability from the Centre.
“We were asked what did we do about promises made during abrogation of Article 370. It has been 17 months since the abrogation and you are demanding an account for it. I have no objection, I will give an account for everything. But those who were given the opportunity to govern for generations should look within if they are even fit to demand an account,” he said.
Parliament LATEST updates
Will ‘definitely’ restore statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, says Amit Shah
In his response to the debate in the Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah slammed the Opposition MPs questioning the steps taken for the development of Jammu and Kashmir. “Those asking me for status report on Jammu and Kashmir after Article 370 was abrogated, do you have a report on your progress in the last 70 years,” he said.
He added, “Many MPs said that bringing Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 means Jammu and Kashmir won’t get statehood. I am piloting the Bill, I brought it. I have clarified the intentions. Nowhere it’s written that Jammu and Kashmir won’t get statehood. Where are you drawing conclusion from?
“I stand by what I said earlier. Statehood will definitely be restored to Jammu and Kashmir in time.”
Parliament LATEST updates
Amit Shah responds to debate on Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha
Parliament LATEST updates
Congress says constitutionality of Article 370 abrogation is still pending in SC
Congress MP Manish Tewari noted the rising cases of ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir. “No new industries have come up in the region. Some existing units were closed in the last two years,” he said.
“There was no internet for over 200 days. You still block internet there. Even before COVID-19, schools had to be shut down for over 200 days,” he said.
He also noted that the pleas challenging the abrogration of Article 370 and the constitutionality of the reorganisation Act is still pending in Supreme Court.
Additionally, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi said that the government has backed out from his assurance that statehood will be restored. “You say internal matters should not be internationalised. But you took EU MPs to the region but not allowing us,” he said.
Parliament LATEST updates
YSRCP extends support to bill
YSRCP MP C Anuradha extended her support to the Bill and suggested that the Centre must reserve 5 percent of all public and private jobs for local Kashmiris.
Parliament LATEST updates
BJD questions need to bring in ordinance
BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab noted that the ordinance was brought in three weeks before the current sitting of the Lok Sabha was set to begin. “Why this hurry?’ he asked.
He also questioned whether all central laws are being implemented in the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. “Have they been useful in improving the lives of people in these regions?”
“Cadres prefer Delhi, Chandigarh or Goa. No one wants to go to northeast or Andaman and Nicobar Islands. You have clubbed Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh with this. There should be a rule that they must work there at least for a specific number of years,” he said..
Parliament LATEST updates
RSP says normalcy not restored in Jammu and Kashmir yet
RSP MP NK Premachandran questioned the government about its assurance that the statehood status of Jammu and Kashmir will be restored. “You haven’t restored normalcy because it has not returned to normalcy yet,” he said.
He also suggested an all-party delegation be sent to Kashmir to see the ground situation.
Parliament LATEST updates
Saugata Roy slams Centre over abrogation of Article 370
TMC MP Saugata Roy spoke about his opposition to the abrogation of Article 370 and said that “for the first time in Indian history, the government abolished a State”. He also questioned what the government acheived from bifurcating the state.
“I don’t think everything happened in Kashmir since Independence was good. Mainstream politicians shouldn’t have been detained now,” he said.
Parliament LATEST updates
NC opposes bill, terms it ‘violation of separation of powers’
National Conference MP Hasnain Masoodi opposed the bill in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, saying that the bill “violates the precepts of both democracy and separation of powers”.
“The abrogation of 370 was an attack on us and we have resolved to fight it via valid means. The government should have waited for the disposal of legal challenges to abrogation of 370 before bringing in this Bill. What if,tomorrow, the Supreme Court says the abrogation is invalid under law?” he asks.
“You are heading towards confusion. This Bill also goes against the Home Minister’s own promise on August 5, 2019 that statehood will be restored. You want to keep a Damocles sword on Kashmiri officers that they could well be sent off to Mizoram.”
Parliament LATEST updates
Cadre strength in Jammu and Kashmir needs improvement, says Centre
Moving an amendment to the Jammu and Kashmir reorganisation bill, Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishen Reddy said, “The dream of one nation, one constitution for every Indian was fulfilled after the J&K law of 2019. The need is to move forward with development now. 170 central Acts are being implemented in J&K. The cadre strength needs improvement and those with experience of U.T. administration are needed. For this, J&K cadre is proposed to be merged with the AGMUT cadre. The J&K administration will be bolstered by officers of the Central pool.”
Parliament LATEST updates
G Kishen Reddy moves Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha
The Union Home Ministry on Saturday moved the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in the Lok Sabha for consideration and passing.
This bill seeks to replace an ordinance to merge the Jammu and Kashmir (Jammu and Kashmir) cadre of civil services officers with the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre.
Parliament LATEST updates
In Lok Sabha, Nirmala Sitharaman says Budget sets pace for aatmanirbhar Bharat
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the Union Budget 2021-122 has “set the pace for India to become aatmanirbhar”. Replying to debate on the Budget in Lok Sabha, the minister also said the challenges of pandemic did not deter government from undertaking reforms for maintaining long term goals of the country.
“The reforms undertaken will lay the path for India to become one of those fastest-growing economies in the world,” she said, adding the Budget has set the pace for India to become aatmanirbhar or self-reliant. Earlier this month, the finance minister presented a Rs 34.5 lakh crore Budget for 2021-22 in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 "Kashmir terror attack linked to Chinese 'interests', says Pakistan-based outfit")
 "India-China border pact: What have the 2 sides agreed upon? What changes now, what doesn't?")
 "Delhi-NCR becoming gas chamber: Nudging farmers to opt for super seeders, organic farming")
 "Head-on | PM Modi at BRICS summit: Why the new world order worries the West")
 "Kashmir terror attack linked to Chinese 'interests', says Pakistan-based outfit")
 "India-China border pact: What have the 2 sides agreed upon? What changes now, what doesn't?")
 "Delhi-NCR becoming gas chamber: Nudging farmers to opt for super seeders, organic farming")
 "Head-on | PM Modi at BRICS summit: Why the new world order worries the West")
Top Shows
