Parliament Updates: Shiv Sena MP takes jibe at Centre over demonesation; BSP's Danish Ali raises concern over JNU protests

The Rajya Sabha has also now been adjourned for the day.

The Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 11 am on Tuesday

JNU students' protest figures in Lok Sabha

Financial education need of the hour, says NCP's Supriya Sule

Speaking in the context of the Chit Funds (Amendments) Bill, NCP MP Supriya Sule said in the Lok Sabha, "Along with the regular education system, financial education should be included so as to generate awareness among the common people."

Several suicides have taken place due to chit fund scams, says YSRCP MP Adala Prabhakara Reddy

YSRCP MP Adala Prabhakara Reddy said in the Lok Sabha, "In the past, many people have committed suicide due to chit fund scams. This is a pathetic situation...At present, there is no law that can help investors recover their money in such cases."

Common people's money not safe, says Shiv Sena's Shrirang Barne

Shiv Sena MP Shrirang Barne said in the Lok Sabha, "In the previous government as well as the present one, many people have been duped in chit fund scams. The worst affected are the common people, including farmers and those in the service sector.

Barne also took a dig at demonetisation saying, "Today, the money of the common people is not safe. It is not safe at home due to demonetisation, and it is not safe in banks due to bank scams."

India continues to be fastest growing economy in the world: Anurag Thakur

India is not facing 5 percent economic slowdown and continues to be the fastest growing economy in the world, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said in Lok Sabha on Monday.

During Question Hour, Thakur also said that a number of steps are being taken by the government to strengthen the economy that includes merger of banks and tax concessions to industries.

"There is no 5 percent slump. Where did you get the figure. Show us," he countered when Aam Aadmi Party MP Bhagwant Mann said the country is facing slump in the economy.

The Union minister of state for finance said India continues to the fastest growing economy in the world even though many countries in the world are facing economic slowdown.

"By 2025, India will be a five trillion dollars economy," he said.

PTI

Distinction must between checking and clogging, Narendra Modi in Rajya Sabha

With disruptions in Rajya Sabha in the past hindering passage of crucial legislations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the Upper House of Parliament was essential for checks and balance in democracy but a distinction needs to be drawn between checking and clogging.

Rajya Sabha has given country several PMs, says BJD's Prasanna Acharya

BJD MP Prasanna Acharya, in his opening remarks, said, "The Rajya Sabha is now in its 67th year. We need to introspect on whether we have done justice to the vision of the Constituent Assembly in forming this House."

Acharya added, "It is a matter of pride that this House has given us several prime ministers. When Indira Gandhi first became prime minister, she was a member of the Rajya Sabha. IK Gujral and Manmohan Singh have also been members of the Rajya Sabha."

Rajya Sabha members' job not merely to give assent to what happens in Lok Sabha: Ram Gopal Yadav

Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav responded to Modi's statement that the Rajya Sabha will never be a "secondary" House, and said, "If the members of the Rajya Sabha remain inactive. the Rajya Sabha will indeed be called the secondary House. We are not here to merely give our assent blindly to whatever happens in the Lok Sabha. It is our duty to protect the rights of the states that we represent."

Yadav also took a dig at the BJP's members of the Rajya Sabha, saying, "As soon as the prime minister finished his speech, half the BJP legislators went away... Is this how we will earn the respect of the people?"

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh rises to speak in Rajya Sabha

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh began by quoting BR Ambedkar's statement in the Constituent Assembly where he deemed the Rajya Sabha an essential component in maintaining the Constitutional system of checks and balances. "It is our responsibility to ensure that no law is passed in haste or in an atmosphere of heightened emotion," he said.

He suggested that the Rajya Sabha should find time to debate Centre-state relations. The Rajya Sabha is designed to be a permanent House, without the need to start afresh after every general election, Singh said.

He assures full cooperation in making the House a more effective instrument of legislation.

Narendra Modi praises NCP, BJD's conduct in Rajya Sabha while addressing landmark 250th session

Addressing the Rajya Sabha on the first day of its landmark 250th session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the House has risen to the occassion in taking decisions about the nation's good. "This House approved reservations for the less privileged. It is here that one nation, one tax became a reality. This House was mature to pass the Triple Talaq Bill," he said.

Rajya Sabha strengthened Constitutional institutions, he said. "In 2003, Atal (Bihari Vajpayee) ji had remarked that Rajya Sabha may be the second House but it should not be called a secondary House. Today, I agree with the thoughts of Atal ji and add that the Rajya Sabha must be an active supportive House for national development," he said. He also called for the state and central governments to work together in harmony.

The Prime Minister also made a special mention about the NCP and BJD's disciplined conduct in the House. "These parties have strictly adhered to parliamentary norms. They have never gone into the well. Yet, they have raised their points very effectively. Other parties, including mine, should learn from them," Modi said.

Rajya Sabha is eternal and diverse in nature, Narendra Modi says during 250th session of Upper House

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during the first day of its 250th session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a journey of ideas and thoughts, which reflects India’s journey of progress.

“If the Lower House is close to the ground, the Upper House can see till far away. Far sightedness and being close to the ground situation gives us an overall view. The House has made history and has seen history being made,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister called the Rajya Sabha the soul of India’s federal structure, hailing its eternal and diverse nature, which has been graced by stalwarts.​

Rajya Sabha allows non-politicians to contribute to the nation, Modi said. “Babasaheb Ambedkar is a shining example of what leaders have given to our country through this House. He could not sit in the Lok Sabha for some reason, but it is this Rajya Sabha that recognised his work,” he said.

Narendra Modi to address Rajya Sabha after 2 pm

To mark the 250th session of the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a special discussion of the Upper House on the topic ‘Role of Rajya Sabha in Indian Polity: Need for Reform’.

To mark the landmark session, celebratory functions will be held, including the release of a publication titled ‘Rajya Sabha: The Journey since 1952’ providing glimpses of various aspects of functioning of the House and its Hindi version.

Also, a commemorative volume on the evolution of Rajya Sabha and its functioning with 44 articles in Hindi and English by the sitting and former members and those associated with the functioning of the House will be released.

A silver coin of Rs 250 and a postal stamp of Rs 5 will also be released.

Congress, NC leaders walks out of Lok Sabha

Being in Parliament is Farooq Abdullah, P Chidambaram’s Constitutional obligation, says Congress MP

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury questioned the absence of the Prime Minister, Home Minister and other Union Ministers in the House before pointing out that Amit Shah had assured the Opposition earlier that Farooq Abdullah was not detained.

“Despite bad health, he is still in custody. We want Farooq Abdullah, P Chidambaram to be in House as that is their Constitutional obligation,” Chowdhury said.

He added that Congress MPs wanted to visit Jammu and Kashmir too, but the government chose to stop them and not the European MPs. He called this attempt to paint the situation to make it look normal an insult to the MPs.

“I also want to raise the issue of withdrawal of SPG cover of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra,” Chowdhury said.

DMK’s TR Baalu echoed Chowdhury, asking for Farooq Abdullah’s presence in Parliament for his take on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

'We want justice': Oppn leaders demand Farooq Abdullah's release

Chants of 'we want justice' rang through the Lok Sabha as members from Opposition benches, including from the Congress, National Conference and DMK. Hitting out at the government for the scenario in Jammu and Kashmir, MPs raised slogans like ‘Nakli case wapis lo’ (take back fake cases), ‘Tanashahi nahi chalegi’ (dictatorship will not be accepted) and ‘vipaksh pe hamla bandh karo’ (stop attacking the Opposition).

Section 144 has been imposed near the Parliament ahead of the JNUSU protest march

The HRD Ministry on Monday appointed a three-member committee to recommend ways to restore normal functioning of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), officials said. The Ministry's committee on JNU will initiate dialogues with students and administration as well as submit recommendations on resolution of all issues.

Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari arrived at the Parliament on a bicycle

He raised his voice during the Question Hour, when Ravi Kishan posed a question seeking a database of artists and provisions for their income, pension and housing.

Sloganeering begins in Lok Sabha

As Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla invites TDP MP Kesineni Srinivas to pose the first question during the Question Hour, sloganeering erupts in the House seeking the release of detained Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, apart from the various detained leaders in the newly-formed Union Territory.

Opposition MPs are continuing the chanting of slogans protesting against the lack of stability in Jammu and Kashmir, even as Birla conducts the House and Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal responds to Srinivas.

Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha sessions commence

Prince Raj from the Samastipur parliamentary constituency in Bihar, Himadri Singh from Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh, Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil from Satara in Maharashtra and DM Kathir Anand from Vellore in Tamil Nadu take oaths as Lok Sabha MPs.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha chairman P Venkaiah Naidu begins session with obituary references, including Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Ram Jethmalani.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla mentions obituary references.

Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, legislation to protect doctors among 50 bills to be introduced

Nearly 50 bills are scheduled to be presented in the Winter Session of Parliament, including the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan if they fled their respective countries due to religious persecution.

Also listed for discussion is the Healthcare Service Personnel and Clinical Establishments Bill, which aims to protect doctors and healthcare personnel from violence.

Other key bills which will be tabled are The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, The Pesticides Management Bill, The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill and The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill.

In addition, a total of 10 bills are pending in the Rajya Sabha, including one to protect the rights of transgender persons and amendments to The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order 2019, which lists the tribal communities to be included.

Rajya Sabha MPs Nazir Ahmad Laway and Mir Mohammed Fayaz protest over Jammu and Kashmir issue

MPs Nazir Ahmad Laway and Mir Mohammed Fayaz protested in the Parliament premises over the issue of the instability in Jammu and Kashmir. Their protest and an adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha came at the heels of the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday shifting all 34 political prisoners, lodged at Centaur Hotel since 5 August, to the MLA Hostel as the facility lacked proper heating arrangements.

National Conference, PDP and People's Conference leaders and prominent social activists were detained at the hotel when the central government announced its decision to abrogate Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 of the Constitution and split the state into two Union territories. Among the political prisoners are Sajjad Lone of People's Conference (PC), Ali Mohammad Sagar of National Conference (NC), Naem Akhtar of the PDP and former IAS officer Shah Faesal.

Former state chief minister Mehbooba Mufti was shifted to a government accommodation in the city from a tourist hut located at the foothills of Zaberwan range.

Congress, Shiv Sena give adjournment notices in Lok Sabha

Ahead of the Winter Session's commencement, the Congress has given an Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha over the "instability in Jammu and Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370".

The Shiv Sena has also given an Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha over the loss of crops due to heavy rainfall in Maharashtra.

Parliament should witness quality debates, open discussions, says Narendra Modi

Addressing mediapersons ahead of the Winter Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that what makes the session special is that it is the last one in 2019 and is the 250th Rajya Sabha session.

"In the past few days I had the opportunity to meet leaders of almost all political parties. The last session was phenomenal due to the support of and active participation all MPs, that is an achievement of not only the government or the treasury benches, but the entire Parliament," Modi said.

Calling for open discussions on all matters, Modi emphasised on the importance of quality debates. "There should be dialogues and discussions, everyone should contribute to enrich the discussions in the Parliament," he said.

Chidambaram urges Congress to expose mismanagement of economy during Winter Session

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said his party must lead the Opposition in Parliament to expose the "utter mismanagement" of the economy by the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. He also alleged that the government refuses to accept valid criticism.