Parliament Updates: Rajya Sabha passes AERA (Amendment) Bill aimed at changing definition of major airport

Rajya Sabha passes the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2019

Opposition seek another hour's discussion on Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Air India has come to incur an unsustainable debt burden, says Hardeep Singh Puri

Stating that India has the third largest civil aviation sector in the world, and one of the faster growing sectors, Minister of Civil Aviation (Independent Charge) Hardeep Singh Puri that Air India’s maharaja is the symbol, sentiment and pride of India.

“We all want to ensure that Air India remains in Indian hands. The airline has run up Rs 70,000 crore as cumulative loss. It is a first class asset in terms of fleet and destinations it flies to and well-qualified employees. The airline has come to incur an unsustainable debt burden. Let’s take not our stand based on whether we are for private or public sector. We are answerable to the citizen to provide quality services at low cost,” he said.

UDAAN scheme has ensured that even those wearing 'hawaai chappal' can fly, says Suresh Prabhu

During discussion on the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2019, former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu called UDAAN a landmark scheme that makes people fly. He says good airports are needed for better aviation industry and the scheme has ensured that "hawaai chappal pehenne wale bhi hawai safar kar rhae hai".

"We have as many as 130 airports. They are managed by several parties, including the Centre, state government, Army and even private players. This makes regulation important. Public interest can be enhanced through PPP," Prabhu said.

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2019 taken up in RS

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2019 is being discussed in Rajya Sabha. It amends a 2008 Act which established the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA).

Over 400 terrorists infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir in 3 years, Centre tells Lok Sabha

Nearly 400 terrorists infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir in the last three years and 126 of them have been killed by security forces, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Reddy said 27 security personnel were killed during the engagements with the infiltrators. Four terrorists have been arrested so far, he said.

963 terrorists, 413 security personnel killed in 5 yrs in Jammu and Kashmir, govt tells LS

Will make electronic tolling compulsory on all National Highways soon, Nitin Gadkari tells Lok Sabha

Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said in Lok Sabha today that the government will soon implement a policy to ensure 100 percent electronic tolling on all national highways. He said that all vehicle owners will be given four months to ensure they obtain the electronic tag, after which no tag-less vehicle will be allowed to pass through the highways.   

RS adjourned thrice amid protests seeking to include Tamil as language to write postal exams

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned once again, the third time today, till 2 pm amid continuing protests from AIADMK MPs over inclusion of Tamil as a langiage in the postal department's exam. 

We built 40,000 km highways in 5 years, 60% higher than UPA-II govt, claims Nitin Gadkari in LS

Road Transport and Highways Ministry built over 40,000 kilometre highways in the last 5 years, which is 60 percent higher than the previous five years, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said in Lok Sabha.

Rajya Sabha adjourned twice within moments of convening due to protests related to language

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned barely 10 minutes after it Assembled as AIADMK MPs protested seeking to include Tamil as a language to write postal examinations.

As the House reconvened at 12 pm, Members were again on their feet and in the Well. Deputy chairman Harivansh asked the Members to go back to their seats, but loud sloganeering continued. The House was adjourned till 12.20 pm. 

Day after Vaiko's anti-Hindi comment, MHA reveals it spent around 70 cr to promote Hindi as official language

The Ministry of Home Affairs has told the Lok Sabha in a written reply that 69.13 crore rupees were spent on promoting Hindi as the official language. 

PM miffed at absentee ministers, members in Parliament, say reports 

NDTV reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is upset over the absence of ministers on parliament duty from the House. The TV channel reported that the prime minister expressed his displeasure at today's meeting of party lawmakers in the Parliament House. He has asked for the names of all absentee ministers by evening. 

Samajwadi Party leader Neeraj Shekhar resigns from Rajya Sabha

Samajwadi Party leader Neeraj Shekhar, son of former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar, on Tuesday resigned as Rajya Sabha member. He was spotted with Union Minister and BJP leader Anurag Thakur, in the Parliament premises. The Chairman has accepted his resignation. 

Derek O'Brien says review of Bills by standing commities at all-time low, vows to protect democracy

TMC MP Derek O'Brien said, "Parliament is supposed to scrutinise bills. Now, in the first two weeks on this Lok Sabha session, zero per cent of bills have been scrutinised. We have to scrutinise the bills, otherwise, what are we doing in Parliament."

"Being a responsible Opposition party, we will hold the government responsible and save the democracy," he added, 

Lok Sabha takes up Qestion Hour

Hibi Eden of the Congress party asks if the government plans to build houses for fishermen. Eden uses the opportunity to highlight the problems faced by the community.

Agriculture Minister Giriraj Singh says that Rs 1.20 lakh is given for the community to build houses. NK Premachandran says Kerala is giving a special package of Rs 10 lakh. Will the Union government aid the State? 

Another JD(U) MP also questioned the need to ensure transparency in allotment of houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna. 

Rajya Sabha adjourns within minutes of convening

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12 pm within moments after convening as the members rose in protest over postal department's exams, held in English and Hindi. AIADMK MPs were demanding that the exams also be held in regional languages as well. 

Congress gives Adjournment Motion notice over tension at Indo-China border

Congress MP and leader of the party, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has given Adjournment Notice in Lok Sabha on "Chinese incursion into Indian territory."