Monsoon Session of Parliament Latest Updates: As Rajya Sabha discussed The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017, JD(U) leader Harivansh said that road accidents were on the rise since 1970 but the law hasn’t been amended accordingly. “People drive while attending phone calls. In Bihar, after prohibition on liquor, the number of road accidents has declined. The government should ensure that there is a strict law on drunk driving,’ he said. In the Negotiable Instruments Laws (Amendment) Act debate, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that the credibility of cheques is just significant for corporate people but also for others. Bringing up the issue of cheque-wapsi in a cashless economy, Tharoor said that under the Act, various concerns under the Act regarding payments of cheques in the country. Meanwhile, Congress moved a privilege motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for “misleading the Parliament on Rafale deal.” This comes after former defence minister AK Antony said that incumbent Nirmala Sitharaman is misleading the country on Rafale deal. He said the minister’s claims on secrecy were wrong as the government cannot keep the prices a secret. In retaliation, a few BJP members have moved a notice for a privilege motion against Congress President Rahul Gandhi accusing him of “misleading” Parliament by making “false” allegations against Modi and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Monday’s Parliament session is significant as it comes a day after the no-confidence debate on the third day of the Monsoon Session. After MPs arrive late to Rajya Sabha Venkaiah Naidu issues a warning leading. Soon, Rajya Sabha is adjourned till 12 pm after an uproar in the House over Anand Sharma’s comment on Central Investigation agencies. Members of the Lok Sabha will be discussing the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013, Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2017, National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017, Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-third Amendment) Bill, 2017 while National Sports University Bill, 2017 and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2015 might be withdrawn. In Rajya Sabha, Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2018, Specific Relief (Amendment) Bill, 2017 and Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017 are expected to be discussed. On Friday, the
no-confidence motion
against the Narendra Modi government resulted in an acrimonious debate in the Lok Sabha, with political parties hurling allegations at each other. The marathon 12-hour debate ended with the BJP-led alliance emerging victorious —
325 members of the Lok Sabha opposed
the no-trust motion moved by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), while 126 supported it. [caption id=“attachment_4401519” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
Representational image. PTI[/caption] The victory of the BJP-led NDA government was not unexpected but the intense debate gave an opportunity to the leaders of rival parties to set the agenda for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The no-trust motion was the first after Modi assumed office in May 2014 and less than a year before the next general elections. “Arrogance is behind the no-confidence motion,” Modi said in his reply and hit out at the Congress, saying this is not the floor test of the government but a “force” test of the main Opposition party and its so-called allies. He said the only thing they have to say is- ‘remove Modi’. “We are ‘bhagidars’(collaborator) to people’s dreams, to the poor people of the country. I am ‘chowkidar’ and ‘bhagidar’, but not a ‘saudagar’ (trader) or ‘thekedar’ (contractor) like you,” Modi said during the course of his 90-minute speech in a blunt retort to Gandhi that drew cheers from the Treasury benches. Several AIADMK members opposed the motion that came as a boost to the NDA. The AIADMK has 37 MPs. “AIADMK supported government, voted against the no-confidence motion,” said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar. Members of BJP ally Shiv Sena(18 MPs), BJD(19) and TRS (14) abstained. The stinging attack on the Congress by Modi in his response to allegations against the government and Gandhi accusing the prime minister of being a ‘bhagidar’ (collaborator) in corruption and not a ‘chowkidar’ and saying people were victims of his ‘jumla’(gimmickery) strikes virtually set the stage for for an intense faceoff during the 2019 polls. Capping a power-packed speech in which Gandhi unleashing a vitriolic attack on Modi on the government on multiple issues, from farmer distress to the Rafale jet deal, Gandhi strode across the lower house to hug Modi and then winked at his colleagues after returning to his seat, sparking a debate on the appropriateness of his action. But it was his walk across the green-carpeted Well of House at the end to hug Modi that left almost everyone, not the least the prime minister, surprised. Modi shook Gandhi’s hands but ignored his call to stand so that he could hug the BJP leader. The Congress chief, however, embraced him as he remained seated. Modi initially looked nonplussed and did not stand up to hug him, but recovered quickly and called Gandhi back and patted him on the back. He also appeared to say a few words, which were inaudible. A day ahead of the Monsoon Session, barring a few snide remarks exchanged between the Treasury and Opposition benches, and a brief walkout by Congress leaders, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha managed to pass bills of importance, debate on matters of public importance, and take up the Question Hour and Special Mentions. The second day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session had witnessed some productive time with the Lok Sabha passing the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill and the Rajya Sabha passing amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Opposition had protested home minister’s statement on lynching, raises slogans against Jayant Sinha as Congress, BJP argued over Chidambaram, Tharoor. With inputs from PTI
Monsoon Session of Parliament updates: Prakash Javadekar says education budget increased by 70% in four years
As Rajya Sabha discussed The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017, JD(U) leader Harivansh said that road accidents were on the rise since 1970 but the law hasn’t been amended accordingly. “People drive while attending phone calls. In Bihar, after prohibition on liquor, the number of road accidents has declined. The government should ensure that there is a strict law on drunk driving,’ he said.
)
Heavy rainfall in Delhi, scenes from the Parliament
Kerala floods: IMD functioning not satisfactory, says CPM leader P Karunakaran
In the discussion on the Kerala floods in Lok Sabha, CPM leader P Karunakaran said the functioning of Indian Meteorological Department is not satisfactory. The cyclone warning is not functioning well. We suffered during Ockhi (cyclone) too, said Karunakaran. “Wanting the floods to be declared a national calamity, Karunakaran said Centre should increase compensation and the National Mitigation Fund should be used. Defence stations must have motorised boats and Indian Air Force should be allowed permanent posting in the districts. The state requires a flood warning station,” he added. Members on both sides of the House argue for a bit.
Congress leader KC Venugopal said despite his ill health, he came to the House to speak about the plight of his people in Alapuzzha.
How to recognise a fugitive economic offender?
10 percent of black money is outside India, says Congress leader Vivek Tankha
Congress leader Vivek Tankha initiates a debateHe where he says only 10 percent of the black money is outside India. He asked what has the government done to get back the money in India and wanted to know why a threshold of Rs100 crores. “Are we not being strict enough for offenders who fall within Rs100 crore offence?”
Minister of Finance Piyush Goyal presents the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill 2018
Discussion on Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill begins in Rajya Sabha
The Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill aimed at preventing culprits from evading the legal process and fleeing the country.
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin
Rajya Sabha proceedings resume. In Rajya Sabha, home minister Rajnath Singh spoke on the Rohingya issue and said, “We’ve issued orders to all states that no Rohingya should possess Indian documents, so that we can talk to government of Myanmar and EAM Sushma Swaraj can speak with the foreign minister of Myanmar.”
PM chooses to go on foreign tours and skips Parliament sessions: Mallikarjun Kharge
Govt has a clear stand on Rohingya issue, won’t be allowed in India: Kiren Rijiju
Proceedings resume in Lok Sabha, Speaker asks members to remain within limits
Proceedings have resumed in the Lok Sabha after a short adjournment, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said it is natural to feel angry over allegations but you should not remain within your limits.
Fugitive Economic Offender’s Bill to be taken up for discussion soon
The Fugitive Economic Offender’s Bill which was already passed by the Lok Sabha, is likely going to be discussed in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The law will allow authorities to attach personal property of the fugitives with the case against them.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge moves privilege motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge moved a privilege motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi while Jyotiraditya Scindia moved a privilege motion against defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the motions are consideration.
As sloganeering begins, Lok Sabha is adjourned ill 12.30 pm.
On women’s safety Venkaiah Naidu says ‘Not Bill but political will, administrative skill needed to kill social evil’
In Rajya Sabha on the topic of women’s safety, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said “What you need is not a new bill but the political will, the administrative skill and you can go for kill of the social evil” during the proceedings after Jaya Bachchan raised the issue in the house.
Digvijaya Singh raises issue of Narmada contamination
In Rajya Sabha, Congres leader Digvijaya Singh brought the issue of contaminated water in the Narmada river while Kerala CPM leader Binoy Viswam said that normal life has been affected for the past many weeks due to flooding. Meanwhile, BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that Bengaluru lakes are dying due to the apathy of the government. He requested Environment Ministry to intervene.
‘PM, home minister and finance minister in both Houses, they have misled nation about 14th Finance Commission’
On Adarsh Railway Stations, Piyush Goyal says increasing number of stations would cause delay, isn’t feasible
In response to a question on increasing the number of stops in express train routes, railway minister Piyush Goyal said additional stoppages will increase the delay and feasibility would be a big issue. “We will still consider these proposals though,” he told Lok Sabha.
In Lok Sabha, MPs complain of poor phone connectivity, call drops
In Lok Sabha, Kerala Congress leader KC Venugopal mentioned the continuous call drops while TMC leader from West Bengal Arpita Ghose said that no connection of BSNL works in South Dinajpur and many such remote areas. The minister said that he will look into it. He added that Airtel and Jio have completely rolled out 4G services. The government-run BSNL is providing 4G in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, we will expand soon, he said.
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu asks members to adhere to time limit
In Rajya Sabha, YSRCP member Vijaisai Reddy apologised for what happened on Tuesday and told the Chair that he wasn’t given adequate time. “I am sorry for the incident that happened on Tuesday,” he said. Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said whatever happened on Tuesday was unfortunate. Chairman Venkaiah Naidu asked the members to move on and mentioned that members are not adhering to the time limit.
T Subbirami Reddy to miss rest of session owing to ill health: M Venkaiah Naidu
In Rajya Sabha, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu told the House that T Subbirami Reddy would not be missing rest of the session owing to ill-health. Since, Reddy is known to bring many amendments to every government Bill, Naidu said no amendments in the rest of the session, in a lighter vein.
Congress MP KC Venugopal gives adjournment notice in Lok Sabha over NEET data leak issue
TDP MPs protest outside Parliament for the third day
Centre claiming it has fulfilled 90% of promises made in AP Reorganisation Act ‘is misleading’: Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu has asked his MPs to consider moving a privilege motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers. Naidu said Centre claiming it has fulfilled 90 percent of the promises made in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act “is misleading”.
TDP MP Naramalli Sivaprasad dresses up as freedom fighter Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy in protest
List of Bills to be taken up for discussion in two Houses
TDP moves to file privilege motion against PM, finance minister for ‘misleading the House’ about special category status
Congress behind delay in Lokpal because it failed to become largest Opposition party, says Jitendra Singh
In the Lok Sabha, Union minister Jitendra Singh addressed the issue of delay in the setting up of Lokpal. “The efforts to set up Lokpal are underway. I always avoid to be political in my replies, but please allow me to say that the cause of delay is not the ruling party but the Congress party. This is because it failed to secure the number of seats to be recognised as the majority Opposition party. We had suggested that let us have the leader of the largest party to be member of the committee,” he said.
Rajnath Singh speaks on Centre’s efforts to develop Andhra Pradesh
In Rajya Sabha, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Our government will fulfill commitment by the current and the former prime ministers. We want all states to progress because we believe that unless they all progress, the country won’t develop. We do politics for the interest of the country, not just to form the government. We are committed to fulfil the promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act. Even those incentives not mentioned the Act are being given to Andhra Pradesh. We have fulfilled 90 percent of the promises.”
‘What’s in a name?’: Piyush Goyal on demand for SCS for Andhra Pradesh
“We care for the people of Andhra Pradesh. The Cabinet made special measures to give support to Andhra Pradesh. We received a response from Chandrababu Naidu addressed to Arun Jaitley dated 24 October 2016, where he says ‘I once again thank the Government of India for offering support and assitance to the success of the state of Andhra Pradesh.”’ Goyal said that Naidu, in his letter, mentioned that the state might have received additional funds through the Centre’s efforts.
“What’s in a name? The idea is that the people of Andhra Pradesh get benefitted, and that is what the Modi government is committed to,” he said.
Manmohan Singh asks Centre to honour commitment to Andhra Pradesh; Piyush Goyal responds
In the Rajya Sabha, former prime minister Manmohan Singh spoke in the Rajya Sabha said that he made the commitment of special category status (SCS) while keeping in view that the revenue generated by Hyderabad will go to Telangana. “I made the commitment after consultation with the then Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley. I request the government to honour the commitment made in the August House. Commitments made on the floor of the House have to be honoured and fulfilled. I had expected my distinguished successor to fulfill the commitment I had made after consultation with his colleagues,” he said.
Finance Minister Piyush Goyal said that the Modi government is committed to implement the Andhra Pradesh Reoganisation Act in totality. He also quoted Singh’s words on central assistance, but added that the 14th Finance Commission had also increased the share given to states to 42 percent. Goyal said that the commission provided additional funds, and Andhra Pradesh received the revenue deficit gap. “Suppose we consider a SCS, we may have to reassess the revenue deficit gap and this gap would come down substantially,” he said, adding that the state would not have received extra funds with the SCS.
Extending his support for the demand for special status for Andhra Pradesh, CPM leader D Raja said, “I share the agony of the people of Andhra Pradesh. We wanted both states (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) to prosper without bitterness. The promises given by then prime minister should be honoured and fulfilled by the present government. I was present when the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act was discussed.”
CPM MP questions delay in Lokpal
As the Lok Sabha discussed The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2018, CPM leader Badaruddoza Khan said, “It is a matter of great regret that those expelled by our party on charges of corruption are accepted by other parties. Then how will the corruption be stopped? Our prime minister has zero tolerance, but how will the public trust the government?”
He asked why the Centre was not coming up with Lokpal when other parties had been speaking in favour of it.
Watch: Odisha has been demanding special status since the time of Biju Patnaik, says BJD’s Prasanna Acharya
Derek O’Brien says BJP should reflect on why its allies are turning against it
In Rajya Sabha, TMC leader Derek O’Brien blamed BJP’s governance for the issues with its allies. “The Shiv Sena and BJP go back 29 years. Today the Shiv Sena is not with them because of the way the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act has been implemented. I think its for the BJP to reflect why somebody who has been with them through thick and thin are questioning them. The Shiv Sena was your largest ally in 2014. You second largest ally is expressing themselves here, and they also brought the no confidence motion,” he said.
GVL Narasimha Rao slams TDP govt in Andhra Pradesh over development of investment zones
As the Rajya Sabha held short duration discussion on Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act, BJP’s GVL Narasimha Rao said, “Two districts in Andhra Pradesh have got National Investment and Manufacturing Zones. The state government has not moved an inch on this since 2015. I have a letter dated 3 July. Is the state government simply not acting? When you have two investment manufacturing zones, which can transform the area, why are they not being worked upon? Is this not special focus for Andhra Pradesh?
“No other state has five industrial cities and two investment manufacturing zones. Look at the inaction. The central govt has informed 27 July 2017 that they are committed to develop another port city in place of Dugarajapatnam Port. You don’t act, you don’t follow up. You only want to do politics.”