 "Is Shashi Tharoor’s breakup with Congress inevitable?")
 "‘Naxalism will end in India by March 2026’: Amit Shah at CRPF Raising Day parade")
Parliament LATEST Updates: On the first day of the Monsoon Session, the Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Amendment) Bill and the Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill were also introduced in the Upper House. The TMC leader made the remarks while moving an amendment to a motion seeking to suspend starred questions and Private Member’s Business in the current Monsoon session. Prime minister Narendra Modi congratulated Harivansh Narayan Singh on his election as Rajya Sabha deputy chairman. “The respect I hold for Harivansh ji, is shared by each member of the House. He has earned this respect. His unbiased role in the Parliament strengthens our democracy,” said Modi. While BJP’s JP Nadda had moved a motion in favour of the incumbent deputy chairman, Opposition leaders, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Tiruchi Siva and Javed Ali Khan moved motions to elect RJD’s Manoj Jha. As Rajya Sabha reassembled after an hour’s gap, chairman Venkaiah Naidu lauded frontline workers for efforts taken to tackle coronavirus pandemic. On the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, new members of the Rajya Sabha, including JMM’s Shibu Soren and Lok Tantrik Janata Dal LJD’s Shreyams Kumar took oath. The Parliament commenced the 18-day Monsoon Session from Monday. The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha sitting will be held in two shifts for 18 days without any offs. Entry will only be allowed to those having a negative COVID-19 report and wearing masks will be compulsory. In run-up to the session, while over 4,000 people including MPs and staff have been tested for COVID-19, most parliamentary operations have been digitalised, entire premises sanitised and doors made touch-free. Barring on the first day, Rajya Sabha will convene in morning shift from 9 am till 1 pm, and Lok Sabha in evening shift from 3 pm to 7 pm. The chambers of both houses along with their respective galleries will be used for sitting of the members in each shift. In between the two shifts, the entire complex will be sanitised. Frequent sanitisation of the entire parliament complex will also be carried out, while arrangements have been made to sanitise various parliamentary papers as well as footwear and cars of MPs, officials said. Frisking of people will also make way for touch-less security scanning, while thermal scanning will also be totally touch-free. It has also been decided that air of air conditioners will be exchanged six times every day to avoid any possible infection. The DRDO will also provide multi-utility COVID-19 kits to all MPs. Each kit will contain 40 disposable masks, five N-95 masks, 20 bottles of sanitisers of 50 ml each, face shields, 40 pairs of gloves, a touch-free hook to open and close doors without touching them, herbal sanitation wipes and tea bags to enhance immunity. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha MP and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah has arrived in Delhi to attend the Monsoon Session, his first Parliament appearance after the abrogation of provisions of Article 370. He is likely to be in focus since he was under detention during the last two sessions, during which several opposition leaders had demanded the government allow him to attend the proceedings. The issues of ongoing LAC standoff, handling of the coronavirus pandemic and economic slowdown are likely to dominate the session, with the opposition demanding a discussion on them, while the government has listed nearly two dozen new legislations for passage during the COVID-curtailed proceedings.
Parliament Updates: Epidemic Diseases Bill introduced in Rajya Sabha; House adjourned till 9 am tomorrow
Parliament Updates: On the first day of the Monsoon Session, the Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Amendment) Bill and the Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill were also introduced in the Upper House.
 "Parliament Updates: Epidemic Diseases Bill introduced in Rajya Sabha; House adjourned till 9 am tomorrow")
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 9 am on Tuesday
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
Epidemic Diseases Bill, Aircaft amendment Bill introduced
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan introduces Epidemic Diseases Amendment Bill 2020, Homoeopathy Bill in Rajya Sabha. Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri introduces Aircraft (Amendment) Bill 2020 in Rajya Sabha. The Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Amendment) Bill and Ithe ndian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill were also introduced
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
EIA draft notification 2020 is anti-democracy, says Jairam Ramesh
As Naidu moves to Zero Hour, DMK’s P Wilson raises issues of students suicide’s ahead of the NEET exam conducted on Sunday and calls for scrapping the common entrance test. Congress’s Phulo Devi Netam demands for Chhattisgarhi to be included in the eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Jairam Ramesh brings up the draft EIA 2020 notification. “It is dangerous on four grounds: It is anti-democratic as is does it away with public consent, it is anti-jurispredence, anti-federalism and anti-public health,“the Congress leader said, calling for it to be relegated to cold storage. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar denied the charges, stating it was done as per SC guidelines.
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
Opposition objects to cancellation of Question Hour
Trinamool Congress Party’s Derek O’Brien objects to the cancellation of question hour, says it is the heart of democracy. “History shows that it has never happened before in a regular session. It has only taken place during war or the Emergency or during 2-3 day sessions. It is the Opposition’s right and the government’s move strikes at very heart of parliamentary democracy,” he said while moving an amendmentto the motion to suspend Question Hour and Private Member’s Business in this monsoon session proposed by Prahlad Joshi . “People of India have been deprived by removing Question Hour”, says Ghulam Nabi Azad. Motion to carry the amendment is defeated. Naidu says that it is an extraordinary time and it will lead to crowding.
Then motion to suspend the Question Hour and Private Member Business during Monsoon session in the Rajya Sabha is adopted through voice vote.
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
Around 30 MPs have tested positive
Around 30 MPs and more than 50 employees of Parliament have tested positive for COVID-19, sources told news agency PTI. All parliamentarians and staff of the secretariats of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had undergone mandatory COVID-19 tests before the start of the monsoon session. All those who have tested positive have been asked to stay in quarantine and they did not come to Parliament.
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
Venkaiah Naidu, Tiruchi Siva extend wishes to Harivansh
Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu congratulated Harivansh Narayan Singh on “winning hearts in the House”. TRS’s K Keshav Rao, DMK’s Tiruchi’s Siva also congratuled the newly elected deputy chairman. “We expect that he remain as friendly in the Chair as he is the Chamber,” said Siva, while observing that the Parliament is the temple of democracy. He also asked MPs to refrain from using Sanskrit words and use Hindi instead to ensure that most members understand what is being said in the House.
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
Harivansh Narayan Singh made efforts to ensure productivity and positivity, says Modi
“Harivanshji has made efforts to ensure productivity and positivity is maintained in the Parliament. He is a torchbearer of democracy. He comes from Bihar, the land known for its democratic ethos, the land that has close ties with JP (Jayaprakash Narayan) and Bapu’s Champaran” said the prime minister.
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
Narendra Modi congratulates Harivansh Narayan Singh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The parliament has been convened in circumstances that we have never seen before. It is important to ensure all safety measures are taken”: The prime minister congratulates Harivansh Narayan Singh on his election as Rajya Sabha deputy chairman. “The respect I hold for Harivansh ji, is shared by each member of the House. He has earned this respect. His unbiased role in the Parliament strengthens our democracy,” said Modi. The prime minister added that the House achieved a 10-year high in productivity in the previous year.
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
Harivansh Narayan Singh becomes Dy chairman
JP Nadda moves motion in favour JD (U’)s Harivansh Narayan Singh as Deputy chairman , seconded by Thawarchand Gehlot.Ghulam Nabi Azad proposes the name of Manoj Kumar Jha for Dy Speaker, Anand Sharma seconds the motion. Incumbent Deputy Chairman Harivansh reelected to post after voice vote.
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
Naidu requests members to bear with ’teething problems’ due to COVID-19 measures
Rajya Sabha speaker Venkaiah Naidu explained the terms of functioning during the Monsoon Session. Naidu says this is the first time in history of Parliament that such measures are in place, “Request members to bear through these ’teething problems’ initially,” he says.
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
‘No Imposition, no opposition’: Naidu encourages use of mother tongues along with Hindi
“While encouraging Hindi, we should also encourage use of mother tongues. This is the need of the hours. No language is superior,” said Naidu while giving the slogan of No imposition, no Opposition on the occasion of Hindi Day.
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
COVID-19 worst disaster in 100 yrs, says Venkaiah Naidu
“COVID-19 is the worst disaster to have hit mankind since the Spanish Flu 100 years ago. Despite having the second largest population, India has managed to manage the pandemic,” said RS chairman Venkaiah Naidu. The vice-president also appreciated the work done by frontline workers like doctors, health care workers and sanitation workers.
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
Rajya Sabha observes silence for victims of floods
The Rajya Sabha members hold a moment of silence for those who had died in rainfall and landslide-related incidents across various states in the country.
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
House adjourned till 4.40 pm
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
RS Chairman reads out obituary references
Rajya Sabha chairman and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu reads out obituary references. Naidu pays tributes to former president Pranab Mukherjee who passed away on 31 August.
Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates
Rajya Sabha begins proceedings, new members take oath
The Rajya Sabha proceedings begin for the first day of the Monsoon Session. New members including JMM’s Shibu Soren and LJD’s Shreyams Kumar take oath.
Lok Sabha LATEST Updates
17 MPs test positive for COVID-19 during mandatory testing before session, says report
Seventeen members of Parliament have tested positive for coronavirus in the mandatory tests carried out before the monsoon session started this morning.
The Lok Sabha members were tested at the Parliament House on September 13 and 14, sources told
NDTV.
Raj Sabha LATEST Updates
Proceedings in the Rajya Sabha to begin shortly
Lok Sabha LATEST Updates
Formed 16-member committee to study ancient Indian culture: Prahlad Patel
The government has formed an expert committee for conducting a study on the origin and evolution of Indian culture dating back to around 12,000 years ago, Union minister Prahlad Patel informed Parliament on Monday.
In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Patel said the 16-member committee will include KN Dikshit, Chairman, Indian Archaeological Society, New Delhi, and former Joint Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, among others.
“A committee has been set up for conducting a holistic study of origin and evolution of Indian culture since 12,000 years before present and its interface with other cultures of the world,” the Union minister of State for Tourism and Culture said.
-PTI
Lok Sabha LATEST Updates
Sougata Roy’s remark expunged from House record
A remark on Sitharaman by TMC MP Sougata Roy on Monday was expunged by the House. Reacting to the remark, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said: “Commenting on attire, being a senior member, what is he talking about? He should apologise unconditionally. It is an insult to the womenfolk.”
Commenting on personal attire...Being a senior member, what is he talking? He should apologise unconditionally. It is an insult to womenfolk: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on TMC MP Saugata Roy's remark on FM Sitharaman, in Lok Sabha.
— ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2020
Remark expunged from record. pic.twitter.com/8cgyhodnke
Lok Sabha LATEST Updates
No data available on migrant deaths during lockdown, says Centre
There is no data available on the number of migrant workers who had lost their lives during the coronavirus-induced lockdown, the Centre informed Parliament on Monday.
As per Hindustan Times, the response by Union Ministry of Labour and Employment on a question raised in the Lok Sabha seeking information on whether the government was aware that several migrant workers had lost their lives while trying to return to their native places and if state-wise details of the toll was available.
Lok Sabha LATEST Updates
Demand for division on motion not allowed by govt, claims Asaduddin Owaisi
As per The Hindu, the Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, assures that the members of the Lower House they will get opportunity to raise questions. On Owaisi’s demand for division, the speaker said that it is rejected on technical grounds.
I had demanded a Division but unfortunately it was not allowed, asking for a Division on a Motion is a Members right and it also shows which parties are supporting /opposing the Modi government https://t.co/xXCHtWt50K
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) September 14, 2020
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
Lok Sabha adjourned till tomorrow
After the House passed the National Commission for Homoeopathy Bill, 2020 and National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2020 by voice vote, the proceedings were adjourned till 3 pm, Tuesday.
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
States given no say in National Commission for Homeopathy Bill: TMC MP
Trinamool Congress MP Pratima Mondal said The National Commission for Homoeopathy Bill, 2020 says all members will be appointed by the Centre, leaving no say for the states. She also requested the Centre to encourage collaboration with other institutes.
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
Indian medicines came handy during pandemic, says Shiv Sena’s Arvind Sawant
Shiv Sena’s Arvind Sawant said during the discussion on The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2020 that after NEET, students choose Indian medicine when they can’t secure a MBBS seat. “In pandemic times, we saw how Indian medicines came handy. They must be encouraged,” he added.
Owing to the paucity of time, many MPs laid their speeches on the table.
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
Shashi Tharoor points out eight issues in the Indian System for Medicine Bill
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan sought to take up The National Commission for Homoeopathy Bill, 2020 and The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2020 for discussion.
Shashi Tharoor said he has reservation on The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2020 and pointed out eight issues. The Bill ignored many standing committee recommendation and excluded Yoga and Naturopathy, Tharoor said. He also asked why a separate Bill is needed, when its provisions can be added to the Indian System of Medicine Bill itself.
Additionally, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said that an appellate panel will be needed as the government cannot be creating the commission and governing it. He also questioned the absence of a mechanism to train teachers and screen certified practitioners. “The Bill could encourage quakery. How can someone who didn’t study allopathy prescribe its medicine”: Tharoor asked.
Apart from more provision on research, Tharoor said that there should also be standards to get recognition worldwide.
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
TMC, Congress oppose bringing cooperative banks under Centre’s control
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced The Factoring Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and also sought to introduce the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020. Saugata Ray and Shashi Tharoor opposed bringing cooperative banks under the control of Centre.
Tharoor added that it is beyond the legislative control of the House to bring a Bill on a State list. He points out the issue is sub-judice and should be referred to the Standing Committee.
Sitharaman pointed out that the RBI regulates cooperative banks and this Bill only seeks to extend banking regulation to cooperative banks and not all cooperatives.
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
Farmers Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill introduced
Narendra Singh Tomar sought to introduce The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Saugata Ray and Shashi Tharoor opposed the Bill, while Shashi Tharoor asked why it was necessary to bring an ordinance when it had nothing to do with COVID-19 pandemic.
Gaurav Gogoi said the government is grabbing the rights of farmers and handing it over to corporates and claimed the government had deliberately removed MSP from the Bill. The Bill was introduced through voice vote.
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill ignores unmarried, LGBT couples: Shashi Tharoor
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan sought to introduce The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020.
Opposing the Bill on six grounds, Congress’ Shashi Tharoor said it discriminates against unmarried and LGBT couples and women who never gave birth. The Bill’s provisions compromise the privacy of donors and is silent on penalisation and offenses. “It promotes arbitrariness and contradicts the surrogacy Bill,” the Thiruvananthapuram MP said.
The Bill was introduced through voice vote.
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill introduced
The Centre moved the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020. While Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury opposed the Bill saying it is against the principles of cooperative federalism, the party’s MP Gaurav Gogoi said it will only increase hoarding.
MoS Consumer Affairs Raosaheb Danve said the ordinance was needed as farmers were bearing the brunt of the lockdown, adding that the ordinance was brought after a high-power committee of six Chief Ministers approved it.
The House voted for introduction of the Bill.
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill withdrawn
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced a motion to withdraw the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020. Opposing the motion, NKKP Premachandran said an ordinance was promulgated after Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020 could not be passed in Budget Session. He said it is a clear case of misuse of power.
Sitharaman said the ordinance was brought to save cooperative banks that were severely stressed. She added the a fresh Bill is being brought, which incorporates the provisions of the Bill that are being withdrawn. The Bill was withdrawn through voice vote.
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
Ravi Kishan urges Centre to end drug trafficking
BJP’s Ravi Kishan pointed out during the Lok Sabha proceedings that the problem of drug trafficking and addiction is on a rise and has reached the entertainment industry. “A conspiracy is being hatched to destroy country’s youth, our neighbouring countries are contributing. Smuggling of drugs from Pakistan and China is done every year. It is brought via Punjab and Nepal,” he said.
Referring to the NCB investigation against Rhea Chakraborty, Kishan said several people have been apprehended. “I urge the Centre to take strict action, apprehend the culprits soon, give them a befitting punishment and bring an end to conspiracy of neighbouring countries,” he said.
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
Centre not talking about economy and unemployment: NCP’s Supriya Sule
NCP’s Supriya Sule said that the biggest challenge in the country is the state of the economy and unemployment. “This is a global scenario and we’re not the only country going through it. But it should be priority of government. I don’t see this government at the Centre talking extensively either about the economy or unemployment challenges. We should put it on priority,” she said.
Shiv Sena’s SA Barne sought more funds to Maharashtra to fight COVID-19.
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
House starts discussion on bills pertaining to farm sector
Three key Bills pertaining to the farm sector will be introduced in the Lok Sabha, including the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Prices Assurance and Farm Services Bill and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill. All three will replace ordinances.
Three labour Bills are also up for consideration and passage — the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, the Industrial Relations Code and the Code on Social Security.
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
Lockdown has helped in ramping up health infrastructure: Harsh Vardhan
Health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan informed the Lok Sabha that the nationwide lockdown has helped the country to prevent the aggressive progress of COVID-19. He said there has been 36.3 times increase in beds and 24.6 times increase in ICU beds since the outbreak.
He also listed out steps taken by the government before the lockdown to curb the spread of the virus, pointing out that international flights were stopped and passengers were thoroughly screened.
His praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for successfully managing the coronavirus outbreak was met with objections from the Opposition benches.
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
India reporting among the lowest deaths per million: Dr Harsh Vardhan
Addressing the Lok Sabha, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the government’s endeavour to manage the coronavirus pandemic has been able to limit cases and deaths per million to 3,328 and 55 respectively. He added that this rate is among the lowest in the world as compared to similarly-affected countries.
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
Over 1 lakh cases reported in 13 states, Harsh Vardhan informs Lok Sabha
Maximum cases and deaths due to the coronavirus pandemic have been primarily reported from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, Bihar, Telangana, Odisha, Assam, Kerala and Gujarat. Health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan told the Lok Sabha that these states reported more than 1 lakh cases.
Cancelled Question Hour dangerous for democracy: TMC’s Derek O’Brien
In a video shared by him on Twitter, TMC MP Derek O’Brien said that the canellation of Question Hour and slashing of Zero Hour is dangerous for democracy. “This government continues to mock the Parliament. They want to rush bills without any scrutiny and create an ordinance raj like never seen before in the last 70 years,” O’Brien tweeted.
A #New series #InsideParliament The world & our glorious nation must know, how this Govt continues to mock #Parliament. Dangerous for Democracy, cancelled #QuestionHour, slashed Zero Hour, no scrutiny of Bills & creating an ordinance raj like one never seen before in last 70 yrs pic.twitter.com/ASZAbrxxhQ
— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) September 13, 2020
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
Idukki landslide, online education for poor students among issues raised during Zero Hour
Congress’ Dean Kuriaskose brings attention to the devastation cause by landslide in Kerala’s Idukki district.
Congress’ Manish Tewari raises issue of discrimination against the Punjabi language in Jammu.
BJP’s Sanjay Seth mentions the issue of religious conversion of Adivasis in Jharkhand.
Apna Dal’s Anupriya Patel says educational channels do not reach poor students amid lack of availability of technical equipment. She urges the government to ensure access of online education for them.
Lok Sabha Latest Updates
Future doctors of India have committed suicide: DMK’s TR Balu
Drawing attention to the plight of 12 NEET aspirants in Tamil Nadu who died by suicide, DMK MP TR Balu said they had cleared Plus 2 in the state board and NEET is conducted only as per CBSE syllabus. “Within a month after Plus 2 result, they have to enter into NEET exam and they are clueless. Without knowing any subject matter of CBSE syllabus, they are helpless and committing suicide. Future doctors of India have committed suicide,” he said.
 "Charlie Kirk, shot dead in Utah, once said gun deaths are 'worth it' to save Second Amendment")
 "From governance to tourism, how Gen-Z protests have damaged Nepal")
 "Did Russia deliberately send drones into Poland’s airspace?")
 "Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages: Qatar PM after Doha strike")
 "Charlie Kirk, shot dead in Utah, once said gun deaths are 'worth it' to save Second Amendment")
 "From governance to tourism, how Gen-Z protests have damaged Nepal")
 "Did Russia deliberately send drones into Poland’s airspace?")
 "Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages: Qatar PM after Doha strike")
Top Shows
