Parliament Live: Willing to consider opposition's suggestions on land bill, says BJP

11:00 am: BJP says it’s not backing down, tells opposition to debate in Parliament Despite the BJP forming a committee to look into farmer’s concerns, the government is maintaining a brave face on the land acquisition bill. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkiah Naidu told reporters outside Parliament that the party has shown a willingness to debate the legislation and the opposition should face it instead of running away from discussing it. He also said that the party had always shown willingness to incorporate any suggestions in connection with the law. Congress’s Rajveen Shukla, however, said that they have no intention of stopping their agitation against the law. 10:00 am: BJP blinks, forms committee to take in farmer’s concerns after allies turn opponents Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have urged the party’s MPs to bust the ‘myths’ surrounding the amendments to the Land Acquisition Bill and defend it aggressively in Parliament, but in the face of renewed opposition from allies like the Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal, the BJP has taken the first step at modifying the legislation to incorporate farmers’ suggestions in it. The Shiv Sena, which is the second largest party in the National Democratic Alliance that the BJP heads, boycotted a meeting held on Tuesday evening by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu to seek their views on the bill. The BJP’s ally in Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal, was present at the meeting but also voiced its opposition to the bill saying that farmers were unhappy with the proposed changes and that an alternative needed to be found. Despite its initial stance, the BJP has now blinked in the face of such vehement opposition and has started by forming a eight-member committee to seek farmers’ suggestions on the bill. The committee which was formed by party president Amit Shah, came after two days of deliberations within the party on how to counter the opposition to the law. Former Union Minister Satyapal Malik is the convener of the committee which comprises seven party MPs, including Malik, and has a chartered accountant too. The committee is to hold discussions with farmers and other organisations on land acquisition. The BJP has also countered with a media campaign against the opposition to the law but as we have pointed out earlier, the government may be willing to put the contentious law in cold storage for this session of Parliament in order to pass other economic legislation that it had earlier passed ordinances for and is seen as equally important for economic development. Despite the aggressive stance that it has adopted so far, the BJP may have little choice but to bend in order to ensure other legislation gets a clear path in the Rajya Sabha, where it lacks a majority. ( read more here) End of updates for 24 Feb 12:40 pm: Congress demands govt explanation on RSS chief’s statement Congress’s Mallikarjuna Kharge demanded that the government explain the statement made by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat against Mother Teresa but Speaker Sumitra Mahajan says there was no need for the government to respond to it presently. 12:30 pm: Congress rakes up RSS chief’s statement on Mother Teresa in Lok Sabha  After the opposition to the Land Acquisition Ordinance, the Congress is back in the Lok Sabha and debating why the government ads showed an incorrect version of the Constitution’s preamble. Expectedly, Jyotiraditya Scindia also brought up the issue of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statements on Mother Teresa. “She is the pride of the world not just the nation,” he said. BJP’s Venkiah Naidu countered by asking the Congress leader not to try score political points on the Mother Teresa issue and said there was no reason for the issue to be brought up in Parliament. He also spoke of how the the constitution’s preamble had been modified during the Emergency. 12:20 pm: Only obeying the wishes of the people, says BJP Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkiah Naidu said they were merely obeying the wishes of the majority and said that the government couldn’t be bulldozed by the opposition. “This government cares the most about the farmer’s plight,” he countered. He tabled the bill and sought that following a debate the amendments to the Land Acquisition Act be passed by the Lok Sabha. It might not be much of a debate though with the Congress leaving the opposition benches. 12:10 pm: BJP tables Land Acquisition ordinance, chaos breaks out in Lok Sabha  It was bound to happen. The Lok Sabha which was a sea of calm so far erupted in protest after the the BJP tabled the Land Bill. MP after MP in the opposition got up to state their opposition to it. “If the government passes this legislation by force then it will hit the poor farmers of the nation,” one MP said. However, the Speaker allowed the tabling of the bill and called for calm and asked the MPs to return to their seats. “This ordinance is against the people of the country and the farmers. The amendments should be debated,” Congress’s Mallikarjuna Kharge shouted. He alleged the government was trying to bulldoze parliamentary debate. This attitude of the government is not correct and we are walking out, he said. 11:40 am: Congress looking like ‘angels’ thanks to BJP, says TMC’s Derek O’Brien Angered by the constant protests, deputy chairman PJ Kurien was on his feet explaining his stance on the debate. You can debate the issuing of ordinances but not a particular bill, he told MPs. SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav was next in line to condemn the ordinances saying that the changes made in the law were without consideration of the social impact they would have. Next in line was the TMC’s Derek O’Brien who asked to check how many ordinances had been passed and how many bills had been passed. “The leader of the house is giving us selective information,” O’Brien alleged. He then went on to highlight the fact that the TMC had voted against the original Land Acquisition Act and said that the Congress presently resembled ‘angels’ as a result. CPI’s D Raja also questioned the rationale behind the various ordinances while JD(U)’s KC Tyagi asked the BJP if it wanted to become another UPA government. 11:25 am: Don’t do bayan-baazi, Jaitley tells angry opposition JD(U)’s Sharad Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati also came out against the ordinance saying that the only reason it is being opposed inside and outside Parliament was because it was seen as being as an anti-farmer legislation. As other MPs began shouting to be heard, Jaitley was back on his feet asking them not to do ‘bayan-baazi’ before the legislation came up for hearing in the Rajya Sabha. He also highlighted the salient points of the legislation only to be shouted down by the opposition. 11:16 am: BJP trying to bypass Parliament with ordinance, says Congress Anand Sharma Congress’s Anand Sharma retaliated by saying that the party had only brought ordinances in the interest of people and not for the benefit of corporates. He alleged the BJP was trying to take away the source of income for hundreds of farmers. “Why does the government bring out an ordinance every 27 days?…this is against the interest of the people,” he said. Sharma accused the government of trying to bypass Parliament with the legislation. When deputy chairman PJ Kurien allowed a discussion on the matter, Jaitley countered that the ordinance was due to come up for debate before the Upper House and could be debated then. He strongly opposed debating the issue twice. Meanwhile in the Lok Sabha, the Question Hour continues calmly. The Congress can be expected to take up the matter as soon as the hour is over though. 11:15 am: You cannot stop Lok Sabha from debating Land ordinance, says Arun Jaitley to Congress Defending the ordinances in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley pointed out that any ordinance signed by the president needed to be tabled in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. He pointed out that the Congress had brought various ordinances while it was in power. He listed them with a smile and all this amid constant protests by Congress MPs. “Lok Sabha will debate it. When the legislation comes to this house you can defend it…But you cannot prevent the Lok Sabha from debating it,” Jaitley said. 11:10 am: Defend land act ordinance and other ordinances aggressively, PM tells BJP MPs CNN-IBN reports that the Prime Minister has told the party’s MPS to defend all the ordinances including the very contentious Land Acquisition ordinance. The PM has reportedly told the MPs that the party could never work against the interest of poor farmers, in a direct reference to the land acquisition law. He has also reportedly told them that the law would help the poor and has asked them to defend it ‘aggressively’. The government also has other crucial ordinances that are stalled in Parliament and the PM has clearly set the agenda for the party’s MPs in the upcoming session. Expect fireworks . Meanwhile the opposition has begun shouting slogans against the government in the Lok Sabha. 10:55 am: Congress says it will target government on various issues Despite the Prime Minister reaching out, the Congress looks very set to oppose various legislation. Congress’s Rajeev Shukla told reporters that the party would oppose all the legislations that were anti-people. 10:05 am: TMC MPs protest outside Parliament TMC MPs protest are now protesting outside Parliament against the Land Acquisition Bill and can be expected to carry on doing so inside as well. 9:00 am: Congress seeks suspension of Question Hour in Rajya Sabha It may be a sign of the coming storm in Parliament. Congress leader Anand Sharma has given a notice for suspension of Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha over the land acquisition ordinance. This despite the fact that the ordinance is to be tabled in the Lok Sabha. 08:00 am: Modi govt set to table Land Acquisition Ordinance in Parliament today Despite the opposition from various quarters the Narendra Modi government is set to table the land acquisition ordinance in the Lok Sabha today, according to reports. According to a Times of India report, the government is caught between being perceived as being anti-poor and being anti-business and as a result isn’t too keen on diluting the contentious provisions of the law. Meanwhile an Indian Express report said that the party would take a tough stand on the ordinance. “The Lok Sabha is the biggest panchayat in the country. Let the Bill be debated there and the government will incorporate the changes if they are beneficial to the farmers,” a BJP leader was quoted as saying in the report. According to the report, Rural Development Minister Birender Singh will introduce the ordinance in the Lok Sabha and explain why it has been brought about. The President may have also batted for the legislation in his speech to Parliament on Monday, but the opposition is unlikely to yield any ground. The BJP has hinted that it’s willing to compromise. “There are several issues in the minds of farmers. We have an inclination to ponder and go into these concerns,” Union Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters after the over two-hour meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Board. “On the concerns raised by farmer organisations and representatives, we feel there is a need to take note of them and we are ready to consider them,” Kumar said. The tabling of the legislation comes even as anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare began a two-day protest rally against it and said the law favoured industrialists more than farmers. “This is land-grab. Britishers used to do it. Today’s government is worse than the British regime. Even Britishers did not met out so much injustice to farmers,” he said. He also met with Delhi chief minister, and former aide, Arvind Kejriwal on Monday evening and the Aam Aadmi Party has pledged to support protest on Tuesday. The Congress has also promised to oppose the legislation ’tooth and nail’ in Parliament and are likely to disrupt Parliament over the legislation. Other opposition parties like the Trinamool Congress, JD(U) and others are also likely to strongly oppose it. End of updates for 23 February 12:00 pm: President tells MPs to behave themselves, help passing of legislation to aid nation “My government will constantly endeavour for smooth functioning of Parliament,” he said. The government would constantly try to pass legislation that benefit people and caters to their aspirations. I ask all members of Parliament to co-operate, discharge their duties collectively and keep the interests of the nation in mind, President Mukherjee said. 11:57 am: Improving ties but keeping borders secure, says President The President said that the government was committed to improving ties with neighbours but would also ensure that its borders were always secure. He listed the visits of US President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping as the success of the country’s foreign policy. The government had also reached out to Indians abroad and they now were more connected with India ’than ever before’, the President said. 11:55 am: SAARC satellite under consideration, says President The President also took a moment to praise the achievement of ISRO with regards to the Mars Orbiter Mission and said a lot more could be expected in the coming days. The government was committed to using space technology in governance, he said, adding that it would also consider the launching of a satellite in co-ooperation with SAARC countries to foster better ties. He also said steps were being taken to further research and development in the country. 11:50 am: ‘Smart police’ coming soon, promises President Mukherjee The government was committed to taking on terrorism and Naxal violence, the President said. In a nod to the potential alliance in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the president listed the various schemes that have been undertaken by the government. The government was also planning to bringing in ‘smart police’ that would deal with citizens complaints more effectively, Mukherjee said. The government is also committed to the manufacture of defence equipment in India that would reduce dependence on imports, he said. 11:45 am: Govt committed to developing country’s tourism, says president  The government has undertaken various steps to develop tourism in the country including special rail connections, the President said. And how could a speech go without mention of the upcoming Statue of Unity in Guajrat in honour of Sardar Vallabhai Patel. “My government is committed to rejuvenating the soul of cities,” Mukherjee said, listing schemes that the government would undertake. 11:40 am: Will increase electricity supply across country, says President Listing various schemes to improve electricity supply across the country, the President said the government planned to develop high power capacity corridors. The government would work to increase the amount renewable energy would contribute to the national grid, he said. India will further advance nuclear energy with global standards of safety being maintained, the President said. He said that the government was committed to widening the government exploration policy for oil and gas and increasing coal output. The President said that the government had taken a lot of steps to reduce pollution due to industry and to protect the environment. 11:36 am: Govt evolving policy for renewal of urban areas, says President The President said that the government was committed to making it easier to do business in India and had taken a number of steps in that pursuit. “The government has launched Make in India initiative to make India a manufacturing hub,” he said. He listed various schemes undertaken by the government to aid various sectors including financial markets and industries. The President said that a new urban renewal policy was being evolved with a focus on solid waste management and water. He said that the government was committed to infuse new life into Indian Railways as well and said that there would be two freight corridors that would be commissioned by 2019. 11:32 am: Govt committed to reducing expenditure, GST and bringing back black money, says President The President said that the government’s steps so far had resulted in dividends like the Indian economy growing at 7.4%, the fastest in the world. Much thumping on desks followed. He said that the government was also working on reducing its expenditure, bringing in the Goods and Services tax and stopping the spread of black money. 11:30 am: President says government is committed to legal reforms and swift decision making The President’s speech dealt with the various schemes that the government has launched for the benefit of the poor including education and housing. The President said that women’s safety was an area that couldn’t be ignored and said that the government was in the process of setting up one-step counselling centres for victims of violence across the country. Mukherjee listed the various schemes also taken to increase employment and vocational education. He also said that the government would be laying special focus on legal reforms. “Legal reforms is one of the priorities of my government,” he said. The government is also committed to swift decision making under the ‘minimum government, maximum governance’ promise, he said. 11:15 am: President Mukherjee says land acquisition ordinance is for acquiring land for public projects The president said that the government was committed to protecting the rights of farmers who would be impacted by the land acquisition. The act had been amended to make it easier to acquire land for public projects like schools and hospital, President Mukherjee said. The camera panned to PM Modi as he said it but he kept his best poker face on. The camera didn’t pan to Rahul Gandhi since he's supposedly on leave . 11:10 am: Spend 50% of MPLAD on Swacch Bharat, President appeals to MPs Cleanliness would have a major impact on the lives of people, particularly the poor, and said that the Swacch Bharat initiative would seek to achieve that. “I appeal to all members of Parliament to spend at least 50% of their MPLAD funds on Swacch Bharat,” Mukherjee said. The President also spoke on various schemes undertaken by the government to alleviate rural poverty. 11:05 am: A bright future awaits us, says President Pranab Mukherjee President Pranab Mukherjee said that the government’s motto remained ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’ and that it had undertaken a number of steps since coming to power. After listing various steps listed by the government, Mukherjee said,“A strong beginning has been made and a bright future awaits us.” The president said that the Jan Dhan scheme had been started to alleviate poverty and that it had achieved all its objectives so far. “The unprecedented target was achieved in less than six months making it the largest such programme in the world,” Mukherjee said. 10:45 am: Modi says he hopes for productive session of Parliament, President leaves to address joint session of Parliament Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Budget Session of Parliament by saying that he hoped it would be a productive session and that the government has reached out to the opposition on all issues. “Parliament is the temple of democracy, there should be proper dialogue and and deep discussions…There should be solutions that are of use to the poorest of poor,” Modi said outside Parliament. [caption id=“attachment_2115659” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Reuters image[/caption] The Prime Minister said that he had met with opposition party leaders on Sunday and had heard their views. “It is our desire that there is a debate on every issue that is of importance to the nation,” he said. The PM said that he was hopeful that the session would be a productive one that all parties would use to do good for the country. There’s little else today expected other than the President’s speech but the Prime Minister will be hoping that the coming days are better for the government in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Meanwhile, accompanied by a ceremonial guard, President Pranab Mukherjee has left Rashtrapati Bhavan to address a joint session of Parliament. 10:00 am: A long and difficult Budget session ahead for the Modi government The government is bracing up for budget session beginning Monday where it will face a tough challenge to get bills replacing six ordinances passed. The government’s agenda includes 44 items of financial, legislative and non-legislative business. The session will begin with President Pranab Mukherjee’s address to members of both houses of parliament. Parliamentary Affairs M. Venkaiah Naidu had convened a meeting Sunday of leaders of all parties in both houses to discuss financial,legislative and other business. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has also called a meeting Sunday evening of leaders of parties in the house to ensure its smooth functioning. The government faces an uphill task in getting the bills aimed at replacing ordinances passed as opposition parties have conveyed their firm stand against some of them including the land acquisition ordinance. Though the government has held back channel discussions on contentious bills with leaders of opposition parties, there is no sign of a breakthrough so far. An official release said that the financial business (11 items) include presentation of and discussion on general and railway budget, voting on demands for grants, supplementary demands for grants for 2014-15 and excess demands, if any, for 2013-14. The rail budget will be presented on 26 February, Economic Survey on 27 February and general budget on 28 February. The legislative agenda comprises introduction, consideration and passing of seven new bills by both the houses including the Finance Bill, 2015 and bills replacing the six ordinances. While 10 new bills are slated to be introduced, the government’s agenda includes passing of three bills pending in the Lok Sabha and seven in the Rajya Sabha. Those pending in the Lok Sabha are: The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014 relating to introduction of GST, The Lok Pal and Lok Ayuktas and other Related Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2014. After being passed by the Lok Sabha, these bills will be taken up by the Rajya Sabha. Bills pending in the Rajya Sabha include four bills already passed by Lok Sabha - The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2014, The Public Premises Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Amendment Bill, 2014, The Regional Rural Banks (Amendment) Bill, 2014, The Repealing and Amending (Second) Bill, 2014, and the Payments and Settlement Systems(Amendment) Bill, 2014. Other pending bills are: The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill,2013 and The Constitution (Scheduled Casts) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2014. The new bills pertain to on the National Cooperative Development Corporation, the Warehousing Corporation, Andhra Pradesh reorganisation, arbitration and conciliation, repeal of appropriation acts, registration of births and deaths, whistle blowers protection, Indian Institutes of Management, National Academic Depository and Identification of Scheduled Castes. The non-legislative business for the session includes discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address. The first part of the session will continue till 20 March. The second part will commence after a month-long recess from April 20 and conclude 8 May. There will be 20 working days during the first half of budget session and 13 in the second half. During the intervening recess, standing committees will take up detailed examination of the demands for grants of different ministries. With IANS inputs