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Parliament LATEST Updates: Lok Sabha reconvened at 9 pm today but the Opposition protests continued in the House. The Centre urged embers to ‘fulfill constitutional duty’ by passing Motion of Thanks on Presidential address, but the Opposition remained unrelenting. Replying to questions in the Lok Sabha on the border row with China, including whether the talks have helped in reaching any logical conclusions, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said, “Since mid-May the Chinese side attempted to transgress the LAC in several areas of the Western Sector of the India-China border area. These attempts were invariably met with an appropriate response from us.” To address the issues arising out of such attempts, Muraleedharan said, the two sides have held nine rounds of senior commander-level talks and six meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC). The government has not set any timeline for holding simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state Assemblies in the country, the Centre has informed the Parliament. In written reply to a question, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice had examined the issue of simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies in consultation with various stakeholders, including the Election Commission. The committee gave certain recommendations in its 79th report, he said. The Lok Sabha had to be adjourned yet again as the Members of Oppositions protested in the House. Speaker Om Birla has adjourned the House till 9 pm. Speaker Om Birla has allowed the MPs to lay down various papers and reports on the table even as Opposition slogans continued in the House. Members of the Congres, DMK, Trinamool, and Bhagwant Mann of the AAP were at the forefront of protesting against the farm laws The Lok Sabha convened at 4 pm but was adjourned within five minutes for the next 30 minutes as Opposition members stormed the Well. The House failed to maintain order even at 4.30 and Speaker Om Birla has now ordered an adjournment till 5 pm Addressing a press conference, Rahul Gandhi said that the Centre is suppressing the farmers and has labelled them anti-national and terrorist because they have been demanding their rights. The strong reaction by MEA came after Rihanna, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, American actress Amanda Cerni and several other prominent people took to Twitter to lent their voices to the months-long farmer protests against three newly enacted farm laws. The Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been fully integrated into the mainstream of the nation after the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy told Parliament on Wednesday. Attacking the Opposition, he said the government has given new rights to farmers through these new farm laws and none of their rights or facilities have been taken away. Participating in the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha, he suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself should make the announcement on repeal of the bills. Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said large convoys of protesting farmers in tractors tried to ‘furiously’ force their way and go past police barricades to enter Delhi on Republic Day in protest against the farm laws. Five extra hours have been added to the duration of discussion in Rajya Sabha on a motion thanking the President for his address to the joint sitting of Parliament to allow debate on the farmers’ protest against three agri reforms. Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad invoked Indigo movement and Kheda satyagraha, both led by Mahatma Gandhi, while discussing farm laws in Rajya Sabha. ‘No strength is greater than farmers’ strength,’ he said. A high-decibel session is expected in both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, with discussions over the new farm laws on the cards. Three Aam Aadmi Party members were marshalled out of Rajya Sabha on Wednesday after Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu asked them to withdraw as they trooped into the Well of the House raising slogans against the new farm laws. The government on Tuesday asserted in Lok Sabha that it was ready to discuss issues related to farmers both inside and outside Parliament amid vociferous protests by the Opposition which forced repeated adjournments of both the Houses. Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Tuesday without transacting substantial business as the Congress and other Opposition members created an uproar demanding discussion on the issue of farmers’ protest over the three new farm laws. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told Lok Sabha after the first adjournment that the Modi government is always committed to discuss the farmer issues. “Government is ready to discuss issues related to farmers inside and outside Parliament,” he said amid sloganeering by opposition members. Tomar’s reply came after Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury claimed that 170 farmers have died during the ongoing agitation against the three contentious farm laws. “Atrocities are being committed on farmers. Situation is similar to British rule,” Chowdhury alleged. Rajya Sabha was first adjourned for about 40 minutes till 10.30 am, then till 11.30 am and then to 12.30 pm. After the President’s Address to both Houses of Parliament on Friday and presentation of the Union Budget on Monday, Tuesday was the first regular sitting of Parliament. When the upper house re-assembled at 12:30 pm, protesting members again trooped into the Well raising slogans, forcing Deputy Chairman Harivansh to adjourn proceedings for the day. In Lok Sabha, opposition members mainly from the Congress, DMK and the Trinamool Congress rushed to the Well of the House demanding repeal of the three “black” laws. Members of the Shiv Sena were seen raising slogans from the aisles. Former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal was also seen holding a poster demanding repeal of the contentious agriculture legislations. Speaker Om Birla urged the members to return to their seats and follow the COVID-19 protocol. He said that in the ongoing Question Hour, questions related to farmers were listed and members can raise their issues at that time. He also said during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the president’s address, members can raise these issues. But opposition members refused to relent. The lower house was adjourned due to disruptions at around 4.10 pm, 5.00 pm and for the day a little after 7.00 pm. In Rajya Sabha, four bills were listed for consideration and passing in the legislative business for the day. These were: The Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020; The National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Bill, 2019; The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020; and The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2020. When Lok Sabha reassembled at 7 pm, Speaker Om Birla asked BJP member Locket Chatterjee to initiate the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address amid sloganeeering by the opposition members. Chatterjee began her speech by praising the government for deciding to celebrate the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on 23 January as ‘Parakram Diwas’ every year. The member from the poll-bound state of West Bengal continued her address amid the din. After repeated appeals by the speaker and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi failed to calm the agitated members, Birla adjourned the House for the day. Joshi sad the debate on the Motion of Thanks has never seen disruptions and what the opposition was doing was “not fair”. In Rajya Sabha, Leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the farmers have been camping on Delhi’s borders for more than two months and the issue needs to be discussed. Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (TMC) said the House is not aware of what is going on between the government and farmers and the House should discuss the issue separately from the Motion of Thanks. “We want a discussion on a specific issue,” he said. While CPM leader Elamaram Kareem said water and electricity supplies to the farmer protest sites have been cut, DMK’s Tiruchi Siva said farmers have been sitting on roads for over two months in the cold and the issue needs to be discussed separately. Manoj Jha (RJD) said Parliament should at least discuss the issue. However, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu did not agree to their motion after which the members of Congress, Left parties, TMC, DMK and RJD staged a walkout. Several farmers unions have been staging protests for over 70 days now on various border points of Delhi demanding the repeal of the farm laws.
Parliament Updates: LS reconvenes shortly amid din; adjourned till tomorrow as deadlock over farm issue continues
Parliament LIVE Updates: Lok Sabha reconvened at 9 pm today but the Opposition protests continued in the House. The Centre urged embers to ‘fulfill constitutional duty’ by passing Motion of Thanks on Presidential address, but the Opposition remained unrelenting.
 "Parliament Updates: LS reconvenes shortly amid din; adjourned till tomorrow as deadlock over farm issue continues")
Parliament LATEST Updates
Holding no informal talks with farmers, barricading is local admin issue: Tomar
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar Wednesday said the Centre is not holding any informal talk with protesting farmers and described putting up of more barricades and suspending internet in and around agitation sites as law and order issues related to local administrations.
The last and 11th round of meeting between the government and 41 protesting unions, held on January 22, was inconclusive. The Centre had asked unions to reconsider the government’s proposal to suspend new farm laws for 18 months. Asked if the government was engaging with the unions informally, Tomar told PTI, “No. We will inform when formal talks will be held.”
When told that protesting unions demand that no formal talks with the government can be held until the police and the administration stop “harassing” them and release the detained farmers, the minister said, “They should talk to the Police Commissioner. I don’t want to comment on the law and order issue. That’s not my job.”
Parliament LATEST Updates
China’s attempts to transgress LAC met with appropriate response, Centre tells Lok Sabha
The Chinese military attempted to transgress the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in several areas since May last but these efforts were invariably met with an appropriate response from the Indian side, the government said in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. To address the issues arising out of such attempts, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said, the two sides have held nine rounds of senior commander-level talks and six meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC). “From April-May last year, there had been an enhanced deployment of troops and armaments by the Chinese side in the border areas and along the LAC in the Western Sector,” he said.
The minister was replying to questions on the border row including whether the talks have helped in reaching any logical conclusions. “Since mid-May the Chinese side attempted to transgress the LAC in several areas of the Western Sector of the India-China border area. These attempts were invariably met with an appropriate response from us,” Muraleedharan said.
PTI
Parliament LATEST Updates
Further opening of domestic flight ops to depend on COVID-19 situation, passenger demand: Puri
The civil aviation ministry told Rajya Sabha that further opening up of the domestic scheduled operations is subject to prevailing COVID-19 situation, status of operations and passenger demand for air travel. In the wake of the pandemic, scheduled domestic operations were suspended from 25 March 2020, and resumed in a calibrated manner from 25 May, 2020. Currently, the operations have been opened up to 80 percent of the summer schedule 2020.
“Further, opening up of the domestic scheduled operations is subject to prevailing COVID-19 situation, status of operations and passenger demand for air travel,” Minister of State for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri said in a written reply.
PTI
Parliament LATEST Updates
No proposal to launch new pension policy for central civil pensioners: Jitendra Singh
There is at present no proposal or consideration to launch new pension policy for central civil pensioners, Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in response to a question on whether the “government is considering to launch new pension policy for pensioners.”
In order to improve the pension process to facilitate pensioners, the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare had developed Bhavishya’, a common software module for ministries, which has now been functioning as a mandatory platform for processing pension and related benefits of central civil pensioners, with effect from, 1 January, 2017, he said. By keeping track of the progress as well as close monitoring of each pension case, it introduces transparency and accountability into the system thereby plugging delays, Singh said in a written reply to Lok Sabha. This system is at present being successfully implemented in 811 offices of 96 ministries/departments/apex bodies through 7,372 Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs), the minister said.
PTI
Parliament LATEST Updates
Over 40 lakh ineligible beneficiaries given PM-Kisan payouts, Agri ministry tells Lok Sabha
The agriculture ministry has told the Lok Sabha that an amount of over Rs 2,326 crore as PM-KISAN benefits was transferred to 40,48,049 ineligible beneficiaries, including income tax payees, according to PRS Legislative. The answer was in response to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha on 2 February.
#QuestionsinParliament | The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare informs Lok Sabha on ineligible PM-KISAN payments:
— PRS Legislative (@PRSLegislative) February 3, 2021
An amount of Rs 2326.8846 crore was transferred to 40,48,049 ineligible beneficiaries including income tax payees. https://t.co/MuIbed2MLt pic.twitter.com/jHPD3G3ggW
Shashi Tharoor slams Centre after repeated adjournments
After repeated adjournments of the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor targetted the Centre on Twitter, asking “Why have a Parliament at all if you don’t want it to function”. “I just cannot understand the attitude of the Govt and the Speaker in refusing a discussion on the farmers protests and instead insisting on clubbing it with the debate on the President’s Address. Parliament exists to give people’s representatives a voice on burning issues of the day,” he said.
Tharoor further said that if a debate were allowed to happen, MPs could voice the concerns of their constituents, the farmers, and propose solutions to the crisis. “But GoI is stubbornly refusing the Opposition’s request for a debate as they refused to agree to the farmer unions’ demands. This is undemocratic,” he said.
What does GoI think Parliament is for? It is a deliberative body of elected representatives meant to offer their collective views on issues of national importance. Last session, GoI refused to discuss China &now farmers. Why have a Parlmnt at all if you don't want it to function?
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 3, 2021
Parliament LATEST Updates
No timeline set for simultaeneous elections to Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, says Centre
The government has not set any timeline for holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State assemblies in the country, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday. In written reply to a question, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice had examined the issue of simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies in consultation with various stakeholders, including the Election Commission. The committee gave certain recommendations in its 79th report, he said.
Asked whether the government has set any timeline for implementation of simultaneous elections in India, the minister answered in the negative.
PTI
Parliament LATEST Updates
Lok Sabha adjourned till 9 pm
Proceedings resumed in Lok Sabha only briefly at 7.00 pm. As the Opposition members continued sloganeering to repeal farm laws, the Speaker adjourned the House till 9.00 pm.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Speaker Om Birla urges MPs to allow Zero Hour but Opposition remains unrelenting
Speaker Om Birla requested protesting members to voice their concerns when time will be allotted for the same. But the sloganeering went on with the same severity, resulting in the House to be adjourned again till 7 pm.
Parliament LATEST Updates
House adjourned till 7 pm
Parliament LATEST Updates
DMK MP seeks assurance from prime minister on repeal of farm laws
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva on Wednesday sought assurance from the government and the prime minister on the repeal of the three contentious farm laws against which several farmer unions have been protesting on various borders of Delhi. He also expressed concern over the manner in which the farm bills were passed last year, but Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said that everything was done according to rule.
“As per the demand of our party president M K Stalin, I would urge the government, the prime minister in his reply would assure repealing of these farm laws,” Siva said in Rajya Sabha.
He said that only three-and-half hours were left for discussion on the bills after half an hour got exhausted in the Zero Hour session. “First these bills were promulgated as ordinances then it was brought as bills to replace them,” Siva said.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Lok Sabha reconvenes briefly twice, adjourned within moments
The proceedings of Lok Sabha were adjourned for about 20 minutes till 4.30 pm on Wednesday after opposition members disrupted the Question Hour over the three new farm laws. As soon as the proceedings started at 4 PM, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury tried to raise the issue of protesting farmers, saying that the matter is maligning the image of the country.
The House then reconvened at 4.30 pm but had to be adjourned again till 5 pm.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Power engineers, employees stage nationwide protest against privatisation
Power engineers and employees on Wednesday staged a nationwide protest against privatisation policies of the central government and demanded to scrap the process to privatise discoms in states and Union territories.
“Power engineers and employees observed nationwide protest against privatisation policies of the government of India and demanded the withdrawal process of privatisation of electricity from the public sector to private companies in states and Union territories without further delay,” All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) spokesperson VK Gupta said.
Thousands of power sector employees and engineers under the banner of the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers held protest meetings, seeking withdrawal of Electricity Amendment Bill 2021, which has been listed for introduction in the budget session of Parliament, according to a statement by AIPEF. “We do not now know what amendments have been introduced in the original draft bill 2020,” Gupta said.
Parliament LATEST Updates
India’s reputation has taken ‘massive hit’: Rahul Gandhi on farmers’ protest
Amid the ongoing farmers’ protest against the new farm laws, Rahul Gandhi said India’s reputation has taken a “massive hit” and its biggest strength, its soft power, has been “shattered” by the BJP and the RSS. He said that the farmers’ issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible and the government needs to listen to them.
Asked if India’s image at the international level has taken a beating with barricading at Delhi’s borders where farmers are protesting and reports of treatment meted out to them, Gandhi said, “Absolutely the reputation of India has taken a massive hit. Not only on how we are treating our farmers, but on how we treat our people, how we treat journalists.”
Parliament LATEST Updates
Centre is breaking backs of farmers, the only bright spot in Indian economy, says Rahul Gandhi
Addressing a press conference, Rahul Gandhi said that the Centre is suppressing the farmers and has labelled them anti-national and terrorist because they have been demanding their rights.
He said, “Some time back there was this report which said agriculture was the only bright spot in India’s economy. That means farmers have done their jobs. they are our only bright spot. Now, what is the government doing? They are breaking their backs, they are suppressing them, and fighting them”
Parliament LATEST Updates
Lok Sabha reconvenes, adjourned within moments
Parliament LATEST Updates
11 MPs give adjournment motion in LS
Various news reports said that 11 MPs from non-NDA parties like Shiv Sena, Akali Dal and Congress have filed a motion of adjournment to discuss farmers’ issue in the Lok Sabha.
Parliament LATEST Updates
MEA reacts to comments of Rihanna, Greta
India on Wednesday slammed the remarks made by American singer Rihanna and other celebrities and activists on farmer protests, saying the facts on the issue must be ascertained before rushing to comment on it, and asserted that the “temptation” of sensationalist social media hashtags and views is “neither accurate nor responsible”.
The strong reaction by the Ministry of External Affairs came after Rihanna, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, American actress Amanda Cerni, US Vice President Kamala Harris’ niece Meena Harris and several other prominent people took to Twitter to lent their voices to the months-long farmer protests against three newly enacted farm laws.
The MEA also said some “vested interest groups” are trying to enforce their agenda on the protests and that a very small section of farmers in parts of the country have some reservations about the farm reforms which were passed by the Parliament after a full debate and discussion.
Parliament LATEST Updates
93,000 cybercrimes related to sexual exploitation, hate in 3 years: MHA
Over 93,000 cybercrimes related to fraud, sexual exploitation and spreading of hate have been registered in the country between 2017 and 2019, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday, reports PTI.
Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said the enhanced use of the internet, the number of cybercrimes was also increasing. As per data maintained and published by the National Crime Records Bureau, 21,796 cybercrimes were registered in 2017, 27,248 in 2018 and 44,546 in 2019.
“The motives behind cybercrime in the country include personal revenge, fraud, sexual exploitation, inciting hate, spreading piracy, stealing information etc,” he said in a written reply to a question.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Congress raises issue of cases filed against Shashi Tharoor, six other journos in RS
The Congress raised the issue of cases filed against its MP Shashi Tharoor and six journalists in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, demanding withdrawal of the sedition charges that were slapped to “intimidate independent journalism and free voice”, reports PTI.
Raising the issue through a zero hour mention, Digvijaya Singh of the Congress said FIRs had been filed against politicians, journalists and civil society activists under felonious sections in the past few days.
The FIRs have been filed in five states over their alleged “misleading” tweets on the violence and death of a protester during the farmers’ tractor parade in Delhi on Republic Day.
“Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor and journalists Rajdeep Sardesai, Mrinal Pande, Mandeep Punia and several others have been charged with sedition on the basis of one person’s complaint,” Singh said.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Crimes against SCs, STs increased in 2019: Centre tells RS
The government on Wednesday told Rajya Sabha that crimes against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the country increased by 7.3 percent and 26.5 percent respectively in 2019, reports PTI.
Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy, however, said police and public orders are state subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution and the responsibilities to maintain law and order, protection of life and property of citizens including investigation and prosecution of crime against members of SCs and STs rest with respective state governments.
“Yes, sir”, was the reply of Reddy when asked whether it is a fact that crimes against members of SCs and STs communities have increased by 7.3 percent and 26.5 percent respectively in 2019 as per the latest ‘Crime in India-2019’ report of the National Crime Records Bureau.
The written question was asked by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Desecration of temples in Andhra Pradesh raised in Rajya Sabha
A BJP member raised the recent spate of attacks on Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday and demanded that the Union Home Ministry seek a report from the state, reports PTI.
Raising the issue through a zero-hour mention, GVL Narasimha Rao of the BJP said more than 140 incidents of attacks on Hindu temples have taken place in Andhra Pradesh.
Stating that there has been a spate of attacks on Hindu temples in the state, he said there have “either (been) attacks or some kind of activities which cause grievous harm to the sacred nature of places of worship.”
He mentioned a recent incident of desecration of Lord Ram idol in Sri Rama Swamy Devasthanam in Vizianagaram district.
“Idol of Bhagwan Ram was severed, it was beheaded” at Ramateerth — a temple considered North Andhra’s Ayodhya — he said, adding the temple is 400 years old.
“Several such incidents have happened,” he said, adding a 70-year-old wooden chariot belonging to Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Antarvedi town in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh was burnt.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh fully integrated into mainstream of India: Centre in RS
The Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been fully integrated into the mainstream of the nation after the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy told Parliament on Wednesday.
He told Rajya Sabha that as many as 613 separatists, overground workers and stonepelters were detained in Jammu and Kashmir since August 2019 and 430 of them have been released so far.
Replying to another question, Reddy said after the constitutional changes and reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been fully integrated into the mainstream of the nation.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu adjourns proceedings till 9 am on Thursday
Parliament LATEST Updates
Cannot label all farmers responsible for violence on Republic Day: BJD MP
Biju Janata Dal MP Prasanna Acharya Wednesday said in Rajya Sabha that an inquiry headed by a sitting Supreme Court judge should be set up into events of Republic Day.
“The truth should come out, cannot label all farmer leaders responsible for violence,” said Acharya.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Oppn should not make farmers’ protest another Shaheen Bagh: BJP in RS
Asserting that the new farm laws were passed after extensive deliberations in Parliament, the BJP on Tuesday said in Rajya Sabha that doors are always open for farmers to resolve the issue amicably, and urged Opposition parties not to make the farmers’ agitation another Shaheen Bagh.
Moving the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in the Upper House, BJP member Bhubaneswar Kalita said the government respects farmers. He said the government has given new rights to farmers through these new farm laws and none of their rights or facilities have been taken away.
Attacking the opposition members, who were trying to disrupt the proceedings of the House, he said, “Let me remind them that the three farm laws have been passed by both the houses of Parliament after much deliberations. The benefits of these three important farm laws have started reaching more than 10 crore people and small farmers.”
Parliament LATEST Updates
Repeal farm laws without making it prestige issue: Ghulam Nabi Azad
Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday asked the government to withdraw the three contentious farm bills without making it a prestige issue.
Declaring that disrespect to the national flag cannot be tolerated, he also condemned the violence at Red Fort during the farmers’ tractor rally on Republic Day.
Participating in the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha, he suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself should make the announcement on repeal of the bills. Modi was present in the House at the time.
Parliament LATEST Updates
BJD MP takes a swipe at Centre on farm laws, asks for legal guarantee on MSP
Speaking on the three contentious agri reforms, Biju Janata Dal MP Prasanna Acharya Wednesday urged the Centre to provide legal guarantee on minimum support price instead of issuing verbal assurances.
“BJD MP Prasanna Acharya aks if the central government can give verbal assurance that MSP will stay, why cannot it add two lines in the farm laws itself?” asked Acharya.
He further asked the government to implement Swaminathan Commission. He said: “The government in 2014 had promised that the farmers’ income will be doubled by 2020. What was the farmers’ income in 2014? What is the farmers’ income in 2020-21? Has it been doubled? If not, why? Is it not the government’s failure in this respect?”
Parliament LATEST Updates
Farmers’ stir at Delhi borders causing inconvenience to residents: Centre in RS
Blocking of borders by agitating farmers is causing inconvenience to residents of Delhi and neighbouring states, besides financial loss to the people and the exchequer, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said large convoys of protesting farmers in tractors tried to “furiously” force their way and go past police barricades to enter Delhi on 26 January in protest against the farm laws.
“They aggressively resorted to rioting, damage to government property and used criminal force to deter public servants from discharge of their duty, thereby inflicting injuries to the on-duty police personnel,” Reddy said.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Govt, opposition to hold nearly 15-hour discussion on farmers protest
The farmer protests will be discussed for 15 hours in Parliament, the government agreed on Wednesday in a breakthrough in its talks with the Opposition. The discussion will take place in the Rajya Sabha, where Question Hour has been suspended for two days.
“The Upper House, which following COVID-19 protocols meets for five hours daily, will dispense with the scheduled Question Hour, Zero Hour and Private Member Business for the 15-hour discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address beginning Wednesday,” said Naidu.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Extra hours added to discussion on President’s address to allow debate on farm issues
Five extra hours have been added to the duration of discussion in Rajya Sabha on a motion thanking the President for his address to the joint sitting of Parliament to allow debate on the farmers’ protest against three agri reform legislations.
The Rajya Sabha, which following COVID-19 protocols meets for five hours daily, will dispense with the scheduled Question Hour, Zero Hour and Private Member Business for the 15-hour discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address beginning Wednesday, said Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu.
Parliament LATEST Updates
LS to resume discussion on motion of thanks to President’s address today
The Lok Sabha is likely to resume discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address on Wednesday on the third day of the Parliament’s ongoing Budget Session.
The discussion was disrupted on Tuesday as the House faced repeated adjournments due to ruckus created by opposition parties.
Parliament LATEST Updates
No BJP minister talked about dividing J&K before Modi govt: Ghulam Nabi Azad
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad spoke about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.
“I have been listening to Atal Behari Vajpayee ji since I was in fifth standard. I have never heard him or any BJP minister (before this government) talking of breaking Jammu and Kashmir in two UTs,” said Azad.
“There was a demand for UT in only one district of Ladakh (Leh), not Kargil,” he added.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Violence on R-Day is ‘undemocratic’, but innocent protesters should not be implicated: Ghulam Nabi Azad
Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday condemned the violence that ensued during the farmers’ tractor rally on Republic Day and said,“I would like to say that people who were not involved in the incident should not be implicated.”
“We all condemn what happened on January 26. It was against the democracy and law and order of country. But people and kisan leaders who are not guilty should not be punished. Action should only be taken against the people who went ahead and did violence there. We are nothing without these two sections of our society- jawan and kisan. We cannot reach to any conclusion or results, if we will have disputes with our farmers. The deadlock between farmers and government isn’t new. Farmers have been fighting for different injustices since long,” he said.
Parliament LATEST Update
Ghulam Nabi Azad invokes Mahatma Gandhi in speech on farm laws
Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad invoked Indigo movement and Kheda satyagraha, both led by Mahatma Gandhi, while discussing farm laws in Rajya Sabha. “No strength is greater than farmers’ strength,” he said.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Three AAP MPs suspended from Rajya Sabha for a day
“We expressed our dissent in the house, we want repeal of three farm laws because talks won’t help. Three of us have been suspended for a day,” said Sanjay Singh, AAP Rajya Sabha MP.
Parliament LATEST Updates
RS members warned against recording videos
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday warned members against recording videos using mobile phones inside the chambers of the Upper House and said, “such an action will lead to breach of privilege”.
He made the announcement after many members started using their mobile phones to portray what was happening in the house.
“There’s a restriction on the usage of cellular phones within the Rajya Sabha chambers. It has been observed that some members are using their mobile phones to record proceedings of house while sitting in chamber. Such conduct is against parliamentary etiquette,” Naidu said.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Cong MP gives adjournment motion in LS over farm laws
Congress MP Manish Tewari on Wednesday gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the farmers’ protest, reported ANI.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Three AAP MPs suspended over sloganeering in RS
Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu Wednesday asked three members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) – Sanjay Singh, ND Gupta, and Sushil Gupta – to withdraw from House amid sloganeering over new farm laws.
The disruptions forced the first adjournment of the day.
News18 SheShakti 2025: Voices of cinema, sport and music redefine nation-building
At News18 SheShakti 2025 Delhi, women from sports, cinema, and music discussed breaking barriers. Kriti Sanon and Sanya Malhotra focused on equity in cinema, Mira Erda and Ashalata Devi on sports challenges, and Kavita Krishnamurti stressed humility and perseverance for lasting success.
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