Parliament Updates: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha adjourned; Delhi pollution, row over SPG cover to Gandhis, JNU fee hike dominate proceedings

Don’t politicise pollution, says Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir, the MP from East Delhi who was criticsed for skipping a key meet on pollution, also spoke in the Lok Sabha. He said, “The topic of discussion is something that affects everyone irrespective of our caste, creed, age & religion. It’s affecting us while we stand and talk about it in Parliament. It’s high time we stop politicising this issue.”

Gautam Gambhir, BJP, in Lok Sabha on air pollution in Delhi: The topic of discussion is something that affects everyone irrespective of our caste, creed, age & religion. It's affecting us while we stand&talk about it in Parliament. It's high time we stop politicising this issue. pic.twitter.com/YWXzWYJRkT

— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2019

Manoj Tiwari slams Delhi govt for not providing funds for sprinklers

Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari also laid the blame for pollution at the door of the Delhi government. He said, “The Delhi government should have provided funds for sprinklers which can help in combating pollution. However, it did not do so. Eventually, the funds came from the Narendra Modi-led Central government.”

Need for electric vehicles across country, says AIADMK MP

AIADMK MP P Raveendranath Kumar said, “Steps should be taken to increase the number of electric vehicles across the country. There is a need to take initiatives at the grassrooots levels.”

950 ceasefire violations by Pak since abrogation of Article 370

As many as 950 incidents of ceasefire violation by Pakistan have been reported along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in August, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy also said in the Lok Sabha that terrorism emanating from territories under Pakistan’s control remains a core concern in bilateral relations.

“950 incidents of ceasefire violation along the LoC from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir were reported during August 2019 to October 2019,” he said, replying a written question.

On 5 August, the central government had announced the abrogation of the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories.

Reddy said immediate and effective retaliation is undertaken by the security forces in cases of ceasefire violations and all such incidents are taken up with

Pakistan at appropriate levels through established mechanisms and flag meetings.

“India has consistently stressed the need for Pakistan to take credible, irreversible and verifiable action to end cross border terrorism against India…,” he said.

PTI

AAP takes jibe at BJP over MPs skipping discussion on pollution

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party has taken a jibe at the BJP saying, “When a discussion was going on about a serious issue like pollution, BJP MPs were missing. But the MPs were certainly present in a meeting which was aimed at spreading lies about water.”

संसद में POLLUTION जैसे गंभीर मुद्दे पर चर्चा हो रही थी, तब @BJP4Delhi के सांसद गायब थे,

लेकिन जब पानी के मुद्दे पर झूठ फैलाने की मीटिंग हुई होगी तब जरूर सभी सांसद उपस्थित होंगे।

3 सांसद POLLUTION की meeting पर नहीं पहुंचे तो क्या बड़ी बात है?
क्यों @ManojTiwariMP? https://t.co/3Xh12bNWbp pic.twitter.com/trFOd3bsH6

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) November 19, 2019

Matter of shame that only 4 MPs attended committee meet on pollution, says BSP’s Danish Ali

BSP MP Danish Ali said, “Last week, the capital was the world’s most polluted city, and it is in this city that our Parliament is located.”

He further said, “It is a matter of shame that only 4 MPs attended a committee meeting on pollution.”

Maharashtra never witnessed such a prolonged monsoon before, says Shiv Sena’s Arvind Sawant

The Shiv Sena’s Arvind Sawant mentioned the prolonged monsoon in Maharashtra this year and said, " Never in history did Maharashtra witness such a prolonged monsoon Not only did it rain a lot, but many low lying areas also got flooded."

765 arrested for stone pelting in J&K since abrogation of Article 370, Centre tells Lok Sabha

The Home Ministry on Tuesday said security forces had arrested 765 people in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution for their alleged involvement in stonepelting incidents and that multi-pronged policies were adopted to check the menace.

Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy also said there was a decline in the incidents of stonepelting since August 5, when the Centre announced abrogation of the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370.

“Since August 5, 2019 to November 15, 2019, 765 people have been arrested in 190 cases registered relating to stone pelting/law and order. From January 1, 2019 to August 4, 2019, 361 such cases were registered,” the minister said, replying to a written question in the Lok Sabha.

Reddy said the government had adopted multi-pronged policies to check the stonepelting menace and had succeeded in curbing it to the extent that a large number of troublemakers, instigators and mob mobilisers were identified and various preventive measures taken against them, including detention under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) and preventive arrests.

“Investigation has revealed that various separatist organisations and activists, which are part of the Hurriyat, have been behind the incidents of stonepelting in the Kashmir valley. The NIA has chargesheeted 18 persons in terror-funding cases so far,” he said.

PTI

Need for ‘Swachh Hawa Mission’, says TMC’s Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar

TMC’s Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who briefly wore a mask during her speech, said, “When we have a ‘Swachh Bharat mission’, can’t we have a ‘Swachh hawa mission?”

Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, TMC, in Lok Sabha: Out of the 10 most polluted cities in the world, 9 are in India. It is quite unnerving that a foreign Premier of a country who was on a visit to India, made an adverse comment. I would like to draw govt's attention towards it. pic.twitter.com/kPkUwbwkMV

— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2019

BJP MP seeks dissolving of monitoring committee on sealing

BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma on Tuesday urged the government to dissolve the monitoring committee set up for sealing unauthorised constructions in the national capital.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he said that thousands of properties had been sealed in the national capital which was unfair and arbitrary.

“I urge the government to dissolve the monitoring committee of Delhi” and bring a committee which works fairly, he said while raising the issue under Rule 377.

PTI

Possibility of mass extinction due to climate change, says TMC’s Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar

TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar said in the Lok Sabha, “Climate change is affecting the whole planet, and it is a very serious matter. We may be staring at the possibility of mass extinction…Should we not be thinking beyond politics on this issue?”

Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill passed in RS

The Rajya Sabha has passed The Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill. The Bill amends the provision to have the Congress chief as a trustee of the Jallianwala Bagh Trust. It adds that when there is no Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, then the leader of the single largest opposition party will be the trustee.

RS discussing Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill

Meanwhile, the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill is being discussed in the Rajya Sabha. Health minister Harsh Vardhan is listing out the key features of the Bill.

Yamuna river polluted despite money spent on clean-up, says Parvesh Verma

Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma further said, “The previous government and the present government have spent Rs 32,000 towards reducing pollution in the Yamuna river. Yet, untreated water from industries continues to flow into the river. It is not possible to live near the river or even stand near the river for a long period of time. This is a very unfortunate state of affairs.”

Delhi govt should not create rift between urban, rural people, says BJP’s Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma

Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, MP of West Delhi, said, “The present Delhi chief minister is blaming stubble burning in Punjab for pollution. (AAP) MP Bhagwant Mann is not present in the House at present. If he were present, I would have asked him what he has to say about this statement.”

Verma further said, “The Delhi government is trying to create a rift between urban and rural people. This is not correct.”

Stubble burning not only factor behind Delhi pollution, says BJD’s Pinaki Mishra

BJD MP Pinaki Mishra said, “On the evening of Diwali and the morning, pollution levels had spiked in Delhi. Stubble burning had already been going on for several days. So, although stubble burning is a contributing factor, it is not the only factor.”

Why must people go to SC every year over pollution, says Congress’ Manish Tewari

Manish Tewari further remarked in the Lok Sabha, “When the pollution issue occurs every year in Delhi, why is it that no voice is raised from the government and this House over this? Why do people need to knock the doors of the Supreme Court every year over this issue? It is a matter of grave concern.”

Congress’ Manish Tewari cites Beijing’s efforts in reducing pollution

Manish Tewari cited the example of Beijing and said, “Some years ago, Beijing had seen high levels of pollution…However, by the end of 2017, PM2.5 levels in Beijing fell by 35 percent. Most of this happened due to to the use of cleaner fuels and industrial restructuring.”

Tewari further said, “If the air in Beijing can become clean, do we have a lack of willpower or resource constraints? Why can’t pollution in the capital and other major cities be reduced?”

Delhi citizens breathing poisonous toxins instead of clean air, says Congress’ Manish Tewari

Congress leader Manish Tewari said in the Lok Sabha, “Every year, the air in Delhi gets extremely polluted. In fact, the citizens are presently breathing poisonous toxins instead of air. This issue should be seen outside the prism of party politics.”

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

SAD opposes Bill, says largest Oppn party being a trustee is democracy

Nominated member Swapan Dasgupta supported the Bill, adding that no one who was a part of the Jallianwala Bagh incident would be alive now.

Shiromani Akali Dal’s Balwinder Singh Bhunder asked why the largest Opposition party’s leader being a trustee is a problem. “Is this not a democracy?” he asked.

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

Why do you want to rewrite history, asks CPI MP; JD(U) leader supports Bill

CPM’s KK Ragesh questioned why the government is eager to take control of the Trust even though they had no role in India’s freedom struggle. “Why do you want to rewrite history?” he asked.

DMK’s Tiruchi Siva said that the the place has been transformed and there is no sense of the Jallianwala Bagh’s history. He urged the government to install adequate boards and information on the site so that people know its history, before its trusteeship is changed.

Meanwhile, AIADMK’s S Muthukaruppan and JD(U)’s Ram Chandra Prasad Singh expressed support for the Bill. “The Opposition speaks about magnanimity but never gave a Bharat Ratna to Bhagat Singh while they were in power,” Singh said.

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

Congress played important part in history, cannot be removed from Trsut, says Congress’ Partap Singh Bajwa

Congress’ Partap Singh Bajwa emphasised that the party played an important role the history of India, adding that the party cannot be removed from the Trust.

BJP’s Shwet Malik said that the memorial, which commemorates India’s freedom struggle, should not subject to politics. He said that it was only after the BJP government came to power at the Centre, the memorial became clean and well-maintained.

Speaking next, Trinamool Congress’ Sukhendu Sekhar Ray said that the Jallianwala Bagh memorial is still not properly maintained. While the RJD’s Prasanna Acharya said that the Congress party cannot be separated from the Trust, asking the Centre to be magnanimous about this matter.

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

About the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019

The Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha by Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State for Culture, on 8 July, 2019. It amends the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act, 1951, which provides for the erection of a National Memorial in memory of those killed or wounded on 13 April, 1919, in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar. It also creates a Trust to manage the National Memorial.

The Bill amends the provision to have the Congress chief as a trustee of the Jallianwala Bagh Trust. It adds that when there is no Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, then the leader of the single largest opposition party will be the trustee. The Act provides that the three trustees nominated by the central government will be trustees for a period of five years and will be eligible for renomination. The Bill allows the central government to terminate the term of a nominated trustee before the expiry of the period of his term without assigning any reason.

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill tabled in Rajya Sabha

The House takes up the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019 for consideration and passing. Congress’ Partap Singh Bajwa begins speaking.

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

Rajya Sabha session resumes at 2 pm

Union Minister Harsh Vardhan moves for leave to withdraw a Bill to further amend the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, National Commission for Human Resources for Health Bill, 2011 and Indian Medical
Council (Amendment) Bill, 2013. The motion is accepted with majority.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 pm

Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 pm over JNU issue. Discussion on air pollution crisis and climate change to be held at 3 pm.

Lok Sabha latest updates

TMC, Congress MPs seek probe into violence against JNU students

Trinamool Congress’ Saugata Roy condemned the lathi charge by Delhi Police against JNU students seeking rollback of the hiked fees.

Congress’ TN Prathapan said that it is undemocratic that the government is suppressing the voices of students in JNU. A high level investigation is needed into police atrocities against students, he said.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Another Doklam crisis might happen in Arunachal, says Tapir Gao

BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh Tapir Gao told the Lok Sabha that about 50-60 kilometres of the state’s territory has been captured by China, an issue that is not covered by the news media.

He warned the House and Centre that if the issue is not looked into, another Doklam crisis might happen in Arunachal Pradesh.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

MPs raise issues of crop losses due to excessive rains, air pollution

YSRCP’s Margani Bharat suggested solar panelling for roofs, vertical gardening and other such measures to deal with the air pollution crisis. He stated the example of China’s 328 ft air purifier that produces 10 cubic metres of fresh air every day.

BJP’s Ganesh Singh said that farmers in Madhya Pradesh do not receive the benefits under PM-KISAN scheme. Last year, farmers did not receive their bonus, he alleged, asking the Centre to intervene.

DMK’s DNV Senthilkumar S condemned yoga and spiritual leader Ramdev’s terming of social reformist Periyar as a “Dalit terrorist” and says such a statement will not be taken lightly.

BJP’s Krishna Pal Singh asked for aid for farmers affected by excessive rainfall in Madhya Pradesh. Shiv Sena’s Omprakash Bhupalsinh also raised the issue of farmers who have suffered losses due to excessive rains.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Lok Sabha MPs raise issues of Numaligarh refinery, para teachers’ strike in Bengal, among other issues

• Congress’ Suresh Kodikunnil said there is a clear case of conspiracy to sabotage investigation into the issue of the rape and murder of Walayar sisters, he alleges. He urged the Centre to seek a report from the Kerala Government on the case.
• Assam BJP MP Dilip Saikia said the Numaligarh refinery should continue as a Public Sector Undertaking and not be privatised.
• BJP’s Nihal Chand Chauhan said the Rajasthan government has not submitted requisite data to the Centre for availing benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana.
• Odisha BJP MP Suresh Pujari said insurance companies in the state have been derailing crop insurance measures.
• BJP’s Sukanta Majumdar raised the issue of para teachers who are on indefinite strike in West Bengal. He urges the Centre to address the issues faced by them in the state.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Congress, DMK stage walkout over withdrawal of SPG cover to Gandhis

Congress, DMK members stage a walkout over the issue of the withdrawal of SPG cover from the Gandhis.

The party has now demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi reply to their concerns. “Tomorrow if an attack happens on Gandhis and Manmohan Singh, BJP will be answerable. SPG cover was removed as they do not want them to reach out to public,” said Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

BJP’s Nishikant Dubey asks for NIA office in Jharkhand, owing to cyber crimes, lack of control on border

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said that Jharkhand is affected by Naxalism and terrorism and his constituency is also affected cyber crimes.

“Pakur, Deoghar, Godda, Sahebganj, Dumka and Jamtada have become a hub for cyber crime. It is going to be a concern for the whole country. National Investigation Agency should have an office in this area,” he said.

Alleging that Congress and Trinamool Congress support Naxalism in the state, Dubey said that there is not much control on the borders India shares with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Section 69 of IT Act empowers Centre to monitor anyone, says MoS Home G Kishan Reddy

The issue of the hacking using a Whatsapp spyware was also raised days after reports revealed that the government could have employed a software by an Israeli company to spy on certain individuals.

To a question posed by MDMK’s A Ganeshamurthi about whether the government is tapping Whatsapp calls and messages, the Ministry of State in the Home Affairs Ministry Kishan Reddy responds saying that Section 69 of the Information Technology Act empowers the Central Government to intercept and monitor anyone

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Congress’ Jothimani says Sujith Wilson could have been saved if NDRF was called on time

Congress MP from Tamil Nadu S Jothimani raised the incident of the death of toddler Sujith Wilson after he fell into a borewell. Adding that 12 other children have died in similar situation in Tamil Nadu, she said that the child could have been saved if the NDRF was informed in time.

“This type of negligence happens because such children who fall into wells usually belong from poor families,” she said.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

MPs raise issues concerning Polavaram project, single use plastic ban, crop damage in Maharashtra

• YSRCP’s Vanga Geethaviswanath urged the government to release the requisite amount for the completion of the Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh.
• BJP MP from Maharashtra’s dindori Bharti Pravin Pawar requested the Centre for aid to grape farmers who suffered losses due to excessive rains.
• TMC MP Mala Roy raised the issue of the Centre’s ban on single use plastic. Calling the ban futile, she said that it comes amid the absence of sustainable alternatives.
• Congress’ Preneet Kaur defended the farmers of Punjab, adding that they have been wrongly vilified over the stubble burning matter.

Lok Sabha latest updates
 

Finding gender neutral toilet next to impossible in India, says TMC’s Pratima Mondal

Trinamool Congress MP Pratima Mondal said that finding toilets for use by transgendered persons and persons belonging to the third gender are next to impossible to find.

“Finding a gender-neutral toilet in India is almost next to impossible,” she said, requesting the government to provide infrastructure to ensure the dignity of 4.88 lakh people belonging to the other genders.

Rajya Sabha latest updates
 

Rajya Sabha was adjourned as govt has no answers, says Derek O’Brien

Sharing a video, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien explained that the possible reason behind the adjournment of the Rajya Sabha was related to the first four questions listed to be raised, including those on demonetisation, PMC bank fraud and frauds in public sector banks.

Four good reasons why the government ran away from Zero Hour & Question Hour today in #Parliament

Watch video pic.twitter.com/wK41IHBjKV

— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) November 19, 2019

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology to meet tomorrow to discuss invasion of privacy and WhatsApp