Monsoon Session of Parliament LIVE updates: Participating in a debate on the amendment in the prevention of corruption bill, Digvijaya Singh said that the government clearly lacks the will to act against corruption because they have appointed people accused of corruption in top ranks of CBI. He said that the government is silent on key issues of corruption including the Vyapam scam. Shiv Sena has issued a whip for the no-confidence motion so that its MPs are directed to support the Narendra Modi government during the voting on Friday. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party has told its MPs to vote in favour of the motion. Congress staged a walkout from Lok Sabha protesting against Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement on mob lynching incidents. Speaking on this, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said: The home minister’s statement in Lok Sabha on mob lynching was not satisfactory at all, that is why we staged a walkout from the House. This is not a game of ping pong that states and Centre keep shifting responsibilities." Citing the Thomson Reuters report on India being the most dangerous country for women, Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan said in Rajya Sabha, “It’s very shameful. From the time Child Labour Act has been amended due to policy on ease of doing business, the trafficking of girls has increased drastically.” Union home minister Rajnath Singh condemned the recent mob lynching incidents in the country in the Lok Sabha on Thursday and said that social media service providers were asked to install checks in their system to prevent the spread of fake news. Shwait Malik, BJP MP in Rajya Sabha said: “Our sons, daughters are dying in Punjab due to the drug crisis in the state. The state of law and order is miserable. What was earlier the ‘food basket’ has today become the ‘drug basket’ of the country. The condition in Punjab is deplorable. I request the prime minister and the Centre to take action on the issue.” MPs continued to jeer and protest in the Lower House in the Parliament, even as Union MoS Jayant Sinha spoke on civil aviation. Chants were against the Narendra Modi government and Sinha over the garlanding row. CPM MP TK Rangarajan said that the Rajya Sabha must condemn the attack on Swami Agnivesh. The Congress has given an adjournment notice in Lok Sabha in Parliament over the issue of mob lynching on Thursday, reported ANI. On Wednesday, the Rajya Sabha was informed that the government does not maintain specific data on lynching incidents in the country. The BJP-led NDA government and the Opposition dug in for a showdown in the Lok Sabha after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday admitted a no-confidence motion and said it would be taken up on Friday for discussion and voting. The motion is the first to be faced by the Narendra Modi government, which is left with less than one year in office. It also comes a few months before elections in some key states such as Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, where the BJP is in power, and the general elections due in April-May next year. Officials said it is the first no-confidence motion to be faced by any government in the Lok Sabha in 15 years, the last being in August 2003 when the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee who faced the motion brought by the Congress and other parties. Mahajan, who took up the Opposition-backed move after the question hour on the first day of the monsoon session, said she was duty-bound to put it before the House. [caption id=“attachment_4401519” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. PTI[/caption] She said Kesineni Srinavas of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was the first to give his no-confidence notice. She asked him to read out the motion, which was supported by over 50 members, including those from the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Samajwadi Party, Aam Aadmi Party and CPM. Members from some other parties, including Congress, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and Nationalist Congress Party, had also given notice of no-trust motion. Mahajan did not agree with Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge that she should have “taken together all notices at a time.” The Speaker said the discussion and voting will take place on Friday and that there will be no question hour. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar expressed confidence that the government would win the vote. “Everything will be clear after the discussion. The people have full confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government,” Kumar said in the Lok Sabha. Talking to reporters later, he said the government was ready to give “a befitting reply” to the Opposition. “The NDA is united and would vote against the motion. The Opposition will repeat the issues which they have been raising. We are ready to respond to each question,” he said. “We will put before people the welfare schemes and development projects carried out by the government. The NDA has governments in 21 states. The people have rejected Opposition in every election held in the last four years,” Kumar said. Opposition parties had pressed for a no-confidence motion in the second half of the Budget Session, but it could not be taken up. The session was nearly washed out. The ruling NDA has a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha. The TDP, whose member’s notice was accepted, was part of the ruling NDA government and had parted ways with BJP earlier this year over its demand for a special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Though there was apprehension of disruptions on issues such as mob lynchings, the Monsoon Session of Parliament saw a smooth beginning with both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha taking up the listed business. Earlier in the day, Trinamool Congress member Dinesh Trivedi urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to change the date for the debate on the motion as the party MPs would be busy in the Martyrs’ Day rally in Kolkata on 21 July. The Speaker said she had noted his concern, but did not allow further discussion on the issue. With inputs from IANS
Parliament updates: Lok Sabha passes bill to nail fugitive economic offenders; RS gives nod to amendment in prevention of corruption law
Shiv Sena has issued a whip for the no-confidence motion so that its MPs are directed to support the Narendra Modi government during the voting on Friday. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party has told its MPs to vote in favour of the motion.
 "Parliament updates: Lok Sabha passes bill to nail fugitive economic offenders; RS gives nod to amendment in prevention of corruption law")
Heavy rainfall in Delhi, scenes from the Parliament
Heavy rainfall lashes Delhi; Visuals from Parliament pic.twitter.com/AMjmSrRjEj
— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2018
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?
Who is a Fugitive Economic Offender? A person is declared an FEO if: (i) an arrest warrant has been issued against him for an offence where the value involved is over Rs 100 crore, and (ii) he has left the country and refuses to return to face prosecution. https://t.co/uFeriux8M3
— PRS Legislative (@PRSLegislative) July 25, 2018
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
The effort behind Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill 2018 is to deter people from running away from India and those who have run away India to force them to come back & submit themselves to the process of law: @PiyushGoyal
— Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) July 25, 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.
Debate on The Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018 begins in the #RajyaSabha. #MonsoonSession
— PRS Legislative (@PRSLegislative) July 25, 2018
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
A Parliament Joint Committee should be made, as it was done in Bofors case, to state facts of Rafale Deal. If it is cheaper, then PM should have stated it during #NoConfidenceMotion. Now statements by BJP are just afterthoughts to mask corruption: Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress pic.twitter.com/kiCAJpWrgF
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018
PM is out on a 5-day tour when the Parliament session is on. The meeting could have been avoided. It was not an inevitable meeting. But, since he has the absolute majority, he chooses to go on foreign tours and skips Parliament sessions: Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress pic.twitter.com/6t66tOP7gC
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018
Govt has a clear stand on Rohingya issue, won’t be allowed in India: Kiren Rijiju
The govt has a clear stand on Rohingya issue. They are illegal and won't be allowed to thrive in India: Kiren Rijiju, MoS Home pic.twitter.com/4uq3LsHTjz
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018
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’
#EXCLUSIVE | PM, Home Minister and Finance Minister in both Houses, they have misled the nation about 14th Finance Commission. Even BJP minister are now starting to understand the injustice done to Andhra Pradesh: Jayadev Galla, TDP MLA tells @_pallavighosh | #ParlMonsoonSession pic.twitter.com/O8hdAC0YSk
— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 25, 2018
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
Congress MP KC Venugopal has given adjournment notice in Lok Sabha over NEET data leak matter. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/z8Gw8RDtZe
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018
TDP MPs protest outside Parliament for the third day
#LIVE -- TDP MPs maintain heat on Centre; Protest at Gandhi statue in Parliament. MP Siva Prasad is yet another avatar | #ParlMonsoonSession pic.twitter.com/y9QJyToM9P
— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 25, 2018
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
Delhi: TDP MP Naramalli Sivaprasad dresses up as freedom fighter Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy to protest over the demand of special status for Andhra Pradesh. Sivaprasad has earlier dressed up as a woman, a washerman & a schoolboy among others #MonsoonSession pic.twitter.com/yjcinnHCcL
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2018
List of Bills to be taken up for discussion in two Houses
Bills listed for consideration in #LokSabha Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, Homeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill.
— PRS Legislative (@PRSLegislative) July 25, 2018
Bills listed for consideration in #RajyaSabha:
— PRS Legislative (@PRSLegislative) July 25, 2018
Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, Negotiable Instruments (Amend) Bill, National Council for Teacher Education (Amend) Bill.
TDP moves to file privilege motion against PM, finance minister for ‘misleading the House’ about special category status
#BREAKING -- TDP moves to file privilege motion against PM Modi and Finance Minister for 'misleading the House' about special category status to Andhra Pradesh; Chandrababu Naidu tells MPs to move privilege motion, directly accusing PM for lying | #ParlMonsoonSession pic.twitter.com/yuMXAM0Cmf
— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 25, 2018
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
Sh. Prasanna Acharya's remarks|Short Duration Discussion on Andhra Pradesh Re-Organization Act, 2014: https://t.co/KSGnOzrfU4 via
— Rajya Sabha TV (@rajyasabhatv) July 24, 2018
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.”
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