Parliament Updates: Health ministry received 893.93 crore from PM-CARES, Harsh Vardhan tells LS

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

MPs raise issues of public importance

BJP’s Rajkumar Ranjan Singh speaks about the Cabinet decision for the National Recruitment Agency (NRA) to conduct common eligibility test in multiple languages for government jobs. Singh requests that the exam be conducted in all languages of Eighth Schedule. Shiv Sena’s Sambhajirao Mane and Omprakash Bhupalsinh raise issue of Maratha reservation in Maharashtra, referring to to69% reservation quota in Tamil Nadu. BJP’s Sujay Vikhepatil calls for removing ban on export of onions and using buffer stock.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Bilateral Netting of Qualified Financial Contracts Bill, 2020 passed

Lok Sabha passes Bilateral Netting of Qualified Financial Contracts Bill, 2020.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Bilateral Netting of Qualified Financial Contracts Bill 2020 introduced in LS

BSP’s Ritesh Pandey speaks in favour of  Bilateral Netting of Qualified Financial Contracts Bill. BJD’s Anubhav Mohanty also expresses support to the bill. TDP, YSR also support bill. MoS Finance Anurang Thakur thanks parties for their support.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Lok Sabha passes the Rashtriya Raksha University Bill 2020

Lok Sabha passes the Rashtriya Raksha University Bill 2020 through voice vote.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Lok Sabha passes National Forencis Science Univeristy Bill 

Lok Sabha passes The National Forensic Science University Bill 2020 through voice vote.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Health ministry received 893.93 crores from PM-CARES, Harsh Vardhan tells LS

Health ministry got Rs 893.93 crores from PM-CARES Fund for 50,000 Made in India ventilators, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan tells Lok Sabha during the discussion on COVID-19 pandemic.

The government brought back over 12 lakh Indian stranded abroad via Vande Bharat, he adds.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Over 64 lakh migrant workers reached their destinations, says Harsh Vardhan

 Over 64 lakh migrant workers reached their destinations through Shramik trains and buses, says Harsh Vardhan. “To enable governments to handle future pandemics and 65,000crore package is being devised, he says. Centre has distributed PPS kits, ventilators, etc to state governments and many states don’t have space to store more such equipment.

“The lockdown was used to build jumbo facilities. From NIV in Pune now there are over 1700 labs in September. Over 12 lakh tests were conducted yesterday. There was a time when we would import kits . Today we have a capacity of producing 10 lakh kits per day,” he says.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Harsh Vardhan lists measures taken by the Centre to fight COVID-19 pandemic

Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan says that under the leadership of the prime minister, citizens, religious organisations, health workers and others have been fighting against the pandemic for the past nine months. “There hasn’t been an occasion when the prime minister has not taken the country into the confidence,” he says.

“WHO first warned the world of an international health concern on 30 January but we started working from 8 Jan. We had issued health guidelines by 17 January. When we received the first case on 30 January, 162 people were traced. Over 1 crore people have been screened till date. Let alone other departments, even doctors didn’t know much about the virus. All such workers were trained by the govt,” he says listing the efforts taken by the government.

“A lot has also been said about the lockdown but before that many states had imposed partial lockdowns between 13 and 23 March. We should thank the prime minister for the janata curfew through which we got to prepare the nation and gauge the readiness ,” he says responding to criticism over the government’s decision to impose nationwide lockdown.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury suggests separate ministry for migrant labourers

BSP’s Danish Ali refers to the Tablighi Jamaat  row, stating that attempts were made to divide the country and give a communal colour to the the virus outbreak. We should ensure that this never happens again in the future, he says.

Congress’s Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury refers to an article on “under reporting of deaths” and also demands details of the PM Cares funds received by health ministry. He also warns of a second wave and asks the government to plan ahead. The Congress MP suggests forming a separate ministry for migrant labourers.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Black day of democracy, says Congress

Reacting to the press conference by Defence minister Rajnath Singh and other minister, the Congress said that they expected a decent response from seniors minister. “They’re justifying Dy Chairman’s action  and attitude. That was very unfortunate. We expected decent reaction from senior ministers. They should’ve at least condemned the practice by Deputy Chairman, " said KC Venugopal.

“Whatever the prime minister may say and preach that today is a historic day for farmers, but today is a black day and will be written in black ink,” The Indian Express quotes senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel as saying.  Patel also said the government was attempting to hand over farming to corporates and the day would be remembered as “anti-farmer day”

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

50% of testing cost in Tamil Nadu should be covered by PM-CARES, says AIADMK MP

AIADMK MP P Raveendranath Kumar says that Tamil Nadu has already incurred costs of about ₹7,200 on various relief measures and updating infrastructure. A further Rs 2,000 crore is expected to be needed for which request has been made to Centre for assistance, he says. 

More than 80,000 tests are performed per day at the cost of nearly Rs 400 crore, he said, adding that atleast 50 percent of the test cost should be covered under PM CARES fund.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Discussion on COVID-19 continues

BJD MP Achyutanand Samant claims that the COVID-19 death rate in Odisha is lesser than the national average.  BSP’s Shiromani Ram Verma said that even though the salaries of MPs have been cut, facilities and services are not reaching the poor. He demands the continuation of free ration to the poor and also demands that the government provide free internet and laptops to poor students.

BJP’s Nishikant Dubey said that how the country worked together has not been highlighted. “Over one lakh labourers from my constituency were stranded outside,” he says. This is one subject where religions, caste creed all broke down, he says giving the examples of MPs present in the House who were active during the crisis. He credited the prime minister for bringing everyone together in the fight against the pandemic.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Karti Chidambaram slams Centre over handling of COVID-19 pandemic

“The government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis has been a series of stumbles, blunders and mis-steps. It has been the story of strictest lockdown in the world, smallest actual fiscal stimulus, leading to the biggest plummeting of the GDP, only for us to become the world’s COVID epicenter,"The Hindu quotes Karti Chidambaram as saying

He also asked the Centre about a road map to provide vaccine against COVID-19. “What’s the distribution mechanism to provide vaccine, it will take till 2024 for every Indian to get doses of vaccine. Has the government thought anything on this, asks Mr. Chidambaram.

He highlighted that there is no data on how many healthcare professionals, police officials and migrant workers have been affected by corona. “We have no data on the sufferings of people of the country.”

He also slammed the government over its economic package, stating that no one has benefitted from it. “The government with great fan fare announced Rs 20-lakh crore package… In my opinion Shakuntala Devi also won’t know how many zeros are there… Not one person I know has benefited from the package, he said.

Parliament LATEST Updates

Attempts being made to mislead farmers, says Rajnath Singh

The defence minister alleged that attempts were being made to mislead the farmers on the farm sector bills " I am also a farmer and I want to assure farmers of the country that MSP (minimum support price) and APMC (agricultural produce market committee) systems are not going to end,; he said.

Parliament LATEST Updates

Opposition flouted Parliament decorum, says Rajnath Singh

Rajnath Singh said he is hurt by the way the Opposition flouted the Parliament decorum by tearing off the rule book and breaking microphones. “This is not the way a health democracy works,” he said.  This briefing comes after a high-level meeting over the same concluded at the residence of Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu.

Parliament LATEST Updates

Duty of Opposition to maintain decorum, says Rajnath Singh

“What happened in Rajya Sabha today was saddening, unfortunate and shameful. It is the responsibility of the ruling side to enable discussions in the House but it is also the duty of the Opposition to maintain decorum, says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in a press briefing. Earlier in the day, a ruckus ensued in the Rajya Sabha after the passing of two farm sector bills, with Opposition MPs entering the well of the House.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

India heading towards mental health emergency, says Anupriya Patel

Apna Dal’s Anupriya Patel says that India is heading towards a mental health emergency, stating that the people across all age groups are dealing with depression due to isolation and issues like job losses, lockdown stress, etc .

There has been an increase in the web search for the word ‘suicide’ in the past one month which is like an emergency alarm, she says.Patel asks the government to tackle this issue and also adress the 87 % lack of mental health professionals in the country. The MP also highlights the issues of post-COVID complications and the prevalence of asymptomatic cases.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

TDP MP demands extendsion of insurance cover for health workers

“The insurance cover for COVID-19 warriors is going to expire by end of this month. As many scientists, epidemiologists & doctors have been saying that the virus is going to stay for 1 or 2 years more, I urge that the insurance scheme be extended for one more year,” says TDP MP Jayadev Galla. Govt expenditure only 2percent of GDP and not 10percent as was claimed, he says.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Union Ministers to hold presser at 7.30 on ruckus in Rajya Sabha today

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

How is digital education possible when there is no 4G in J&K, asks Hasnain Masoodi

Hasnain Masoodi hits out at Centre for unplanned lockdown announced with just four hours notice. “Over 1 lakh migrant workers from  Jammu and Kashmir were stranded in Himachal Pradesh,” he says. With the return of the migrants the virus spread as there was no infrastructure. The government is stressing on digital education but how is it possible when there is no 4G in the UT, he asks.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Samajwadi Party MP highlights plight of migrants due to unplanned lockdown

Dr. ST Hasan from the SP highlighted the plight of migrants due to “unplanned” lockdown. “We bought ventilator using our MPLAD funds, but we can’t use it because of lack of infrastructure,” he said and requested the health minister to develop adequate infrastructure.

Given the lack of indigenous vaccines, Hassan suggests the use of Russian vaccine. “There is no data on people who migrated, died, journalists who lost their lives… They should be compensated,” he adds.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Is India in community transmission, asks NCP’s Amol Kolhe

NCP’s Amol Kolhe lashes out at the govt saying that it should have shown far-sightedness and conducted RT-PCR tests on foreign arrivals right at the start. “The government is praising itself that recovery rate is good, mortality rate has declined… But we can’t hide from the truth that due to coronavirus, 90,000 people have lost their lives in the country. And this does not include indirect deaths such migrant worker deaths due to lockdown, families ending life due to business collapse,” says Kolhe.
“Is the country in community transmission phase. If yes, then all policies have failed, if no then why are we reporting close to 1 lakh cases per day?”, he asks?

Parliament LATEST Updates

Rahul Gandhi lashes out at Centre over farm sector bills

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

MGNREGS only source of livelihood for many: BSP’s Girish Chandra

BSP MP from Nagina Girish Chandra brings up the issue of the lack of oxygen facing many hospitals. The BSP MP highlights that employment under the MGNREGA is the only source of livelihood available to many, including degree holders and urges the govt to provide more employment options.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Over 32,000 paramilitary personnel infected so far, says Centre

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in Lok Sabha that a total of 32,238 paramilitary personnel were infected by the Coronavirus so far. As many as 9,158 personnel of the CRPF, 8,934 personnel of the BSF, 5,544 personnel of the CISF, 3,380 personnel of the ITBP, 3,251 personnel of the SSB, 1,746 personnel of the Assam Rifles and 225 personnel of the NSG were infected by the virus, he said in a written reply.

Among the infected, the highest recovery rate is reported in CRPF (84.4 percent), followed by BSF (80.41 percent) and CISF (75.25 percent), he said Rai said the highest death rate has been reported in CISF (0.43 percent), followed by the Assam Rifles (0.40 percent) CRPF (0.39 percent).

PTI

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Andhra Pradesh testing more than 72,000 people per day, claims YSRCP MP

During the discussion on COVID-19, YSRCP MP Beesetti Venkata Satyavathi says Andhra Pradesh is testing more than 72,000 people per day. She also lists more measures taken by the State, adding that these may be replicated in other parts of the country.

JDU’s Rajeev Ranjan Singh said that those criticising the prime minister were doing so to stay in the public eye. He also said that community transmission of COVID-19 had been prevented due to the lockdown.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee participates in discussion on COVID-19

TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee counters the charge that Ayushman Bharat has not been implemented in West Bengal, stating that the state government had introduced free treatment in government hospitals. He also refutes the charge that West Bengal has not given the number of migrant labourers to the Centre, saying that the figures were provided on 23 June.

Banerjee lashes out at the Centre over pending GST dues and questions secrecy over PM-CARES fund. “I request Finance Minister to allot funds to West Bengal, he said in his concluding remarks.

“Mumbai was the first city to witness infection after lockdown. People should have been given notice in order for them to go home. More people were on the streets in Mumbai than even during the Partition. But the govt didn’t start trains. People were mowed down by (goods) trains on railway tracks,” says Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant. 

On one hand Centre says we will not provide PPEs to States anymore, on the other it is not clearing GST dues, and then talks about ‘Atmanirbharta’, he adds.

Parliament LATEST Updates

SAD urges president to not sign farm sector bills

The Shiromani Akali Dal has appealed to President Ram Nath Kovid to not sign on farmer bills and send them back to Parliament for reconsideration, said reports.  “Please do not sign the bills on farm issues. Please stand by the farmers, kisan mazdoors, arthiyas, Mandi labourers and Dalits. Don’t let the annadata (God of food) starve or sleep on the roads. Please intervene on their behalf… otherwise they will never forgive us,” NDTV quotes SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal as saying in his appeal.

The Akali chief said the passage of the bills marks a  “sad day for the country’s millions and for democracy” and asked the president to send the bills back to Parliament

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

There was no strategic planning before lockdown, alleges DMK’s Dayanidhi Maran

DMK’s Dayanidhi Maran alleged that the government did not allow any discussion over the COVID-19 crisis.  Objections are raised over his remarks on Rajya Sabha.“That was the careless attitude of the government which brought the crisis to a peak,”  he says. There was no strategic planning before the lockdown, he alleges stating that India has never faced a lockdown of this scale and chaos ensued after the lockdown was announced on 24 March. . “Everytime PM comes to speak at 8 pm, there’s a bad news. Similar thing happened in 2016 when he announced demonetisation and made people stand in queues to withdraw their own money,” he says.

“We failed to utilise the lockdown,” he further alleges highlighting the spike in coronavirus cases.

Asked to wrap up his speech, Maran lashes out saying the government is not allowing the Opposition to talk.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Around 30 crore given financial assistance during COVID-19 pandemic: Kirit Solanki

BJP MP from Ahmedabad Kirit Solanki says that as a doctor he has witnessed various diseases and adds that all countries are feeling helpless in the face of the pandemic. He praises Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, adding that the people of the country stands with him. Nurses and frontline workers were given cheques in Ahmedabad from where he hails, he claims adding that woman account holders were given Rs 500 in their Jan Dhan Account. Approximately 30 crore people were given financial assistance through DBT, he states. Construction workers were also provided a fund, he claims.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

COVID-19 pandemic gave govt a chance to hide its face: Shashi Tharoor

Lok Sabha begins discussion on COVID-19 crisis. Taking off his mask to speak, Congress’s Shashi Tharoor took a jibe at the Centre, saying it got an excuse to hide its face due to the pandemic." Over 93,000 cases and over 2,000 death were reported yesterday, making us the country with highest number of daily cases and deaths globally," he said. “Government did not listen to Rahul Gandhi’s warning. Instead it was more interested in toppling the government in Madhya Pradesh,” he alleges.

Tharoor says the economy is in tatters. He likens the Centre to the emperor who played the fiddle while the nation burnt. “Or more accurately, a government who taali bajaoed and lit lamps when the nation burnt,” he said, taking a jibe at the government. He also said that the approach to containing the coronavirus outbreak was misguided and failed. Had the migrant workers been allowed to go home at the beginning of the lockdown, the crisis could have been averted. With migrant workers traveling home later, COVID-19 cases spread to rural and teri-urban areas," Tharoor said.  The Congress MP also spoke the economic crisis in the wake of the lockdown,quoting Rajeev Bajaj’s remarks that the government flattened the wrong curve.

The Congress leader lashed out at the Centre for not taking into considerations the recommendations given by Opposition parties, stating that it went against the tenets of deliberative democracy.

“We live in an India where lip service and tokensim has taken precedence over concrete ideas, said Tharoor in his concluding remarks. The Opposition MP also spoke about the danger faced by students while giving exams and thanked healthcare workers for their services.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

No question of religious discrimination in bill, says Nityananda Rai

“There is no question of religious discrimination in FCRA. Rights for religious organisations to receive foreign contributions shall continue as in the previous version of the law,” said BJP’s Nityanand Rai. He reiterated that the purpose of the proposed law was to check those organisation who diverged from their stated objectives.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury opposes FCRA Bill

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, deviating from the subject refers to Jawaharlal Nehru. He also opposes the clause making  Aadhar mandatory , referring to the SC judgment preventing the government from doing so. Union minister Nityanand Rai defends the amendment bill. Countering Tiwaris argument, there is no violation of rights but notices are served to organisations which move away from their stated purpose and then call them for investigation. Countering the argument about Aadhar he said, he said the provision is in in line with the Supreme Court judgment and is necessary to have details of the persons establishing such organisations.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Congress, TMC oppose FCRA Bill 2020

Foreign Contribution Regulation (Amendment) Bill introduced in Lok Sabha. Congress’ Manish Tewari opposes FCRA Bill 2020. The FCRA has unfortunately been used against the government’s detractros. Between 2010 and 2019, manyFCRA registrations were cancelled but we don’t know how many of these fructified into conviction.

Among others, the Congress leader objected to the Clause 8, increasing the suspension period to 365 days, saying no valid reason has been provided for this.The UN special rapporteur has said that the FCRA provisions are not in keeping with international conventions. TMC’s Sougata Roy termed the Bill as Big Brother watching, stating that it was attempt to stop foreign contributions to stop altogethered except for thise who are able to comply. Social organisations working in tribal and rural areas will not be able to accept contributions. Referring to Tewari’s remarks, he said that there was aneed for deregulation and not over regulation.

Parliament LATEST Updates

Narendra Modi says passage of farm bills is ‘watershed moment’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the passage of the Centre’s controversial farm bills in the Rajya Sabha on Sunday said that it will “ensure a complete transformation of the agriculture sector”.

“For decades, the Indian farmer was bound by various constraints and bullied by middlemen. The bills passed by Parliament liberate the farmers from such adversities. These bills will add impetus to the efforts to double income of farmers and ensure greater prosperity for them.

:Our agriculture sector is in desperate need of latest technology that assists the industrious farmers. Now, with the passage of the bills, our farmers will have easier access to futuristic technology that will boost production and yield better results. This is a welcome step,” he said.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Lok Sabha reassembles

Parliament LATEST Updates

Rajya Sabha Opposition MPs protest against passage of bills

Rajya Sabha MPs of Opposition parties protested in the Parliament premises after the House passed Farmers’ and Produce Trade & Commerce (Promotion & Facilitation) Bill, 2020 & Farmers (Empowerment & Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services Bill, 2020, ANI reported.

Parliament LATEST Updates

Opposition moves no confidence motion against RS deputy chairman

The Opposition parties on Sunday submitted a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh, after two farm bills were passed in the Upper House amid ruckus.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Lok Sabha adjourned till 4 pm today

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Opposition members sit-in protest inside RS after House was adjourned

The Congress and other opposition party members sat in protest inside Rajya Sabha even after the House was adjourned for the day after the passage of two farm bills. Members of the Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, Left parties and some others sat in protest inside the Rajya Sabha chamber even after it was adjourned.

The House sitting ends at 1 PM and Rajya Sabha chamber has to be sanitised by 3 PM when Lok Sabha sits for a session. Both the chambers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are being used for each House to allow members to follow physical distancing norms.

Congress chief whip in Rajya Sabha told PTI that the opposition members will continue to sit in Rajya Sabha chamber till 3 PM to lodge their protest against the government’s attitude.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Request LS to be suspended till RS stalemate ends: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

Congress member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury requests Speaker Om Birla that Lok Sabha working be suspended till Rajya Sabha stalemate ends. 

Speakers says need to continue proceedings as important issue like COVID-19 need to be discussed. However, the Congress persists with his request.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Bills to be taken up by Lok Sabha today

• -The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020

• -The National Forensic Sciences University Bill, 2020

• -The Rashtriya Raksha University Bill, 2020

• -The Bilateral Netting of Qualified Financial Contracts Bill, 2020

• -The Factoring Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Lower House begins proceedings 

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Farmers in Punjab burn copies of farm bills

Farmers at several places in Punjab on Sunday burnt copies of farm bills and effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the bills related to the agriculture sector will destroy their livelihood. The Punjab Youth Congress also started a “tractor rally” from Punjab to Delhi against the three farm bills.

At many places, including Ludhiana, Ferozepur, Sangrur and Barnala, the protesters raised slogans against the BJP-led government at the Centre.“These farm bills will destroy the farmers and farm labourers and we strongly oppose these bills,” a farmer in Talwandi Sabo.

The farmers have expressed apprehensions that the three bills will pave a way for dismantling the minimum support price system, leaving them at the “mercy” of big corporates.

-PTI

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Passage of farm Bills a ’landmark day’, tweets Rajnath Singh

Moments after the passage of the Bills, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in a tweet called the passage of the farm Bills a ’landmark day'.

“The passage of both the Bills in Parliament is indeed a landmark day for Indian agriculture. I am thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision to unleash the true potential of India’s agriculture.” He further said that with the passing of two landmark agriculture Bills in Rajya Sabha today, India has cemented the strong foundation for ‘Atmanirbhar Agriculture’.

“This is the result of endless dedication and determination of the Govt under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi,” he added.

  Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Rahul Gandhi touts farm Bills as ‘anti-agriculture black laws’

Terming the bills “anti-agriculture black laws”, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked how will MSP be ensured with the ending of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) or farmers’’ market.Why is there no guarantee on MSP, he asked.

“Modi ji is making farmers ‘‘slaves’’ of capitalists, the country will not allow this to succeed,” the former Congress chief tweeted in Hindi with the hashtag ‘‘Kisan Virodhi (anti-farmer) Narendra Modi’’.

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

‘They cheated, broke every rule in Parliament’: Derek O’Brien

The Rajya Sabha had to be adjourned till Monday over the uproar in the house over passange of two contentious Agriculture Bills. The session saw members of the Opposition raising slogans of ‘hai hai’ and asking the government to take back the bills. Reports said that MPs tried to tear copies of the farm bill, said reports. 

TMC MP Derek O’Brien was among the MPs who rushed into the well of the house. During the period in which the Upper House was shortly adjourned, O Brien tweeted a video from the central hall of the Parliament saying, “They cheated. They broke every rule in Parliament. It was a historic day. In the worst sense of the word. They cut RSTV feed so the country couldn’t see. They censored RSTV. Don’t spread propaganda. We have evidence. But first watch this.” 

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 9 am tomorrow

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Farmers Bills passed amid protests by Opposition leaders

Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 passed amidst Opposition protests.

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Rajya Sabha reconvenes after being adjourned for a few minutes amid protests 

Farmers protest against farm Bills in Haryana

Farmers in Haryana began their protest against the agriculture-related farm bills on Sunday amid elaborate security arrangements which have been made to ensure that the event passes off smoothly.

The Bharatiya Kisan Union’s Haryana unit, supported by some other farmer outfits, is holding a statewide protest against the Centre’s farm bills during which protesters will block roads for three hours from 12 pm to 3 pm.

The farmers are also joined by the ‘arhitiyas’ or commission agents during their protest. The Punjab Youth Congress, meanwhile, is also taking out a ’tractor rally’ from Punjab to Delhi against the Centre’s farm-related measures. The rally started from Mohali district in the morning and was moving on the national highway towards Ambala.

However, the Haryana Police in Ambala had heavily barricaded the national highway and there was heavy police deployment on the Haryana-Punjab border, police department sources said.

-PTI

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Rajya Sabha adjourned, following uproar in the House over agriculture bills

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Contentious Agriculture Bills put to vote amidst protests

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar winds up his speech among commotion. Deputy Chairman calls for voice vote as the protests continue. Amendments are being taken up amid shouting as Opposition protest against Centre’s rush to pass Bills.

MP Derek O’Brien stand in front of Deputy Chairman’s seat, attempts to show him the rulebook as the Deputy Chairman rushes through the procedures to pass the Bills.

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Marshals push away MPs from Dy Chariman’s desk; audio feed interrupted amid ruckus

Marshals push away some MPs from the Deputy Chairman’s desk. Opposition continues shouting. Marshals remove some MPs’ hands from the Deputy Chairman’s mics. TMC MP Derek O’Brien entered the well of the House and showed the House rule book to Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh

It appears as though the audio feed has been cut as protests continue. Deputy Chairman Harivansh seems to be speaking to some of the protesting MPs in the well. The audio remains cut.

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Opposition leaders reach well of House, attempt to tear farm bills

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Ruckus in Parliament as RS extends proceedings for the day

Deputy Chairman Harivansh asks if the House agrees to extend proceedings from 1 pm till the disposal of the Bills. Shouting continues. Deputy Chairman asks members who have come out from their seats to the well to return. Leader of Opposition Gulam Nabi Azad said that the norm is that the House timing is extended on the basis of consensus of the House. He says that the consensus is that the House be adjourned for the day.

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Bill does not deal with MSPs, reiterates Narendra Singh Tomar

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar begins his reply to the discussion in the Upper House on the two Agriculture Bills. He reiterates that the Bill does not deal with MSPs, and there is no need to worry about that.

“Not just these Bills, many steps have been taken to double farmers’ income in the past six years. There is no need to doubt that farmers will continue to get MSP,” said Tomar.

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

HD Deve Gowda expresses concerns over farmers

Former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, who was sworn in the Upper House earlier today, told Rajya Sabha: “As a farmer I am really concerned with issues related to the farm bills. The entire House, all of us are concerned about farmers. Farmers are the backbone of the country.” 

“Prime Minister should explain why there’s a hurry to pass the bills amid pandemic. He should explain what would farm bills do for farming community in short & long term & how it will help in achieving govt’s goal of doubling farmers’ income,” said the former prime minister.

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

If scrapping MSP is just a rumour, why did a minister resign over it, asks Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut asks the Agriculture Minister if he can assure the country that with these Bills, farmers’ income will double, that no farmer will die by suicide and that their children will not go to bed hungry.

If it just a rumour that MSP won’t be ended, why did a minister of the government resign on the basis of a rumour, he asks.

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Read your own manifesto first: BJP MP reacts to Congress criticism

Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil says these two Agriculture Bills will ruin farmers. Reacting to this, BJP MP Surendra Singh Nagar says Congress MPs should first read their own manifesto. He points out that Kerala, where Congress leaders get elected from, does not have an Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act.

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Delhi Police deploys its personnel at border areas as precautionary measure

The Delhi Police on Sunday said it has deployed its personnel at border areas as a precautionary measure in the wake of a protest call by farmers in neighbouring states.

Two companies of forces have been deployed by the Delhi Police near Ashok Nagar — Ghazipur side, the police said, adding that there are no protesters at the border as of now. The force has also been put on alert at the Delhi-Haryana border.

“We have deployed border pickets as a cautionary measure on Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Jasmeet Singh said.

-PTI

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Can Centre ensure doubling of farmers’ income though farm Bills, asks Shiv Sena

Speaking in the Upper House, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut while opposing the Agriculture Bills said: “Can the government assure the country that after the passing of the agriculture reform Bills, the farmers’ income will double and no farmer will commit suicide?….A special session should be called to discuss these bills. If it just a rumour that MSP won’t be ended, why did a minister of the government resign on the basis of a rumour.”

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Don’t think Punjab’s farmers are weak, warns Akali Dal MP

Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral starts speaking by saying that he wants the farmers to know that the Parliament is giving his party just two minutes to speak because of Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s resignation.

“There is a trust deficit or communication gap which is reflected in the contents of the Bills, which is why we are telling this party to send it to select committee,” he says. Don’t think Punjab’s farmers are weak, he warns the government.

“The farmer of Punjab feels threatened today by the bills you are about to pass,” said Gujral,  requesting to send the Farm Bills to a select committee for consideration.

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Kejriwal urges non-BJP parties to vote against farm bills in Rajya Sabha

National convener of AAP and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday appealed to all non-BJP parties to vote against three agriculture-related bills in the Rajya Sabha, saying farmers in the country wished so. Earlier, Kejriwal had said his party will vote against the three bills and termed them “anti-farmer”.

“Farmers all over the country are watching the Rajya Sabha today. The BJP is in a minority in the Rajya Sabha. I appeal to all the non-BJP parties to defeat these bills, this is what farmers in the country wish,” Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

He on Thursday had demanded that the Centre should withdraw the three bills and said his party MPs will vote against them in Parliament. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has three Rajya Sabha and one Lok Sabha MPs.

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Farmers will turn slaves through these bills: DMK MP

“Farmers who contribute at least 20 percent to the total GDP of the country, will be made slaves by these bills. It will kill the farmers and make them a commodity,” DMK MP TKS Elangovan told the Upper House.

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BJD issues whip to its RS MPs telling them to remain present in House

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has issued a whip to its Rajya Sabha members directing them to remain present in the House on Sunday during the debate over the contentious farm bills.

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday introduced in Rajya Sabha the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020.

The bills are facing staunch opposition from farmer bodies as well as from within the ruling coalition. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the food processing minister from the Shiromani Akali Dal party, resigned from the government last week.

-PTI

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Congress being hypocritical, says YSRCP MP Vijaisai Reddy

YSRCP MP V Vijaisai Reddy said that his party supports the Bills. However, why is tobacco farmers not included in ther purview of it, he asked.

He further accused the Congress of being hypocritical as it had included similar promises in its manifesto by using strong words.

A brief ruckus entrails as Congress members react to this angrily. Party leader Anand Sharma asks him to retract the statement and apologise for the same. Vice Chairman L Hanumanthaiah says it will be examined and taken out of the records.

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These Bills reduce a farmer to a farm worker, says AIADMK MP

AIADMK MP SR Balasubramoniyan opposing the Bills said that if the two Agriculture Bills are passed, a farmer will be reduced to a farm worker. Big companies will take over large swathes of land, he says.

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Why is Centre rushing through farm Bills?: Samajwadi Party on Agriculture Bills

Samajwadi Party MP from Uttar Pradesh Ram Gopal Yadav said: “It appears that there is a compulsion that the ruling party doesn’t want a debate or discussion on these bills. They are only rushing through these bills. You have not even consulted any farmer associations.”

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Farmers’ income will not be doubled before 2028: Derek O’Brien 

“Prime Minister said that the Opposition is misleading the farmers. You (Centre) said double farmer income by 2022. But, at current rates, the farmer income will not be doubled before 2028. Your credibility is low to make promises”, TMC MP Derek O’Brien in Rajya Sabha, on Agriculture Bills.

“This is an issue affecting federalism. States will not be able to ensure farmers’ interest,” says the TMC MP. How many BJP MPs have read these 2 Bills, he asks.

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Why has rural income reduced in the years Congress was in power, asks Bhupender Yadav

BJP MP Bhupender Yadav responds to criticisms raised against the Agriculture Bills on Sunday, saying why the rural income reduced over the years (you) were in power, he asks Congress MP Pratap Singh Bajwa, who spoke against the Bills.

There is a need to strengthen trade, processing and value addition, said Yadav. “Working group on agriculture production set up by Manmohan Singh government in 2010 recommended that APMC and corporate license monopolies should not be allowed. This is your report, your conclusions, so why are you playing politics today,” he asks Congress.

“Congress should not try to astray the farmers on grounds of lies. The Bills have been introduced to bring a respectable status to the farmers of the India in front of the world with the help of technology” he said.

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Workers of Punjab Youth Congress and farmers take part in rally against farm Bills

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Govt not replying to questions on farm Bills, says Surjewala

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala in a tweet attacked the Centre over the Agriculture Bills. “Narendra Modi government will get all the three anti-farmer black laws passed by whip in Rajya Sabha today. But the answer is no. How will MSP be available in the fields of 15.50 crore farmers, who will give it? Why did the government-run away from giving legal responsibility to MSP? Who will guarantee MSP out of the market?”

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3 MPs refers two farm bills to Select Committee

CPI(M)’s KK Ragesh, TMC’s Derek O’Brien and DMK’s T Siva moved an amendment to send the two farms Bills to a Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha.

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Congress will not sign on this death warrant of farmers, says party MP

Opposing the Agriculture Bill tabled by Narendra Singh Tomar, Congress MP Partap Singh Bajwa said that all farmers, particularly farmers in Punjab and Haryana, think these Bills are an attack on their soul.

“These Bills are ill-conceived and ill-timed and the Congress opposes it. We will not sign on this death warrant of farmers,” said Bajwa.

“What is the need to bring these Bills now? Nearly one lakh Indians are getting COVID-19 every day and China is breathing down your neck,” reminds Bajwa. Farmers don’t want this benefit that you claim are for them; then why are you trying to force-feed them, he asks.

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Bill is govt’s motive to destroy our farmers: KC Venugopal

“It is very clear that this government’s motive is to destroy our farmers and help the corporate sector. Our party has decided to oppose the Agriculture Bills. Government has to reconsider the bills, at least they should have sent it to the select committee,” said Congress MP KC Venugopal.

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Farm bills have nothing to do with MSPs: Narendra Singh Tomar

Addressing the Upper House, Narendra Singh Tomar said: “I want to assure everyone that the bills have nothing to do with MSPs. MSPs were there and will continue. I would request everyone to reconsider their views on the farm bills.” 

The Agriculture Minister says the two Bills, which have been passed by Lok Sabha, are historic and will bring revolutionary change. Farmers will have the freedom to sell their produce wherever they want, he says.

These Bills are not related to MSP, he says, adding that there appears to be some “incorrect information” doing rounds in this regard.

KK Ragesh, Derek O’Brien and Tiruchi Siva move motions to send both Bills to a select committee.

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Narendra Singh Tomar moves Farmers’ and Produce Trade and Commerce Bill

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar moves Farmers’ and Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, in Rajya Sabha

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Police on standby ahead of farmers protest in Haryana

Police deployment at Sadopur border in Ambala ahead of the farmers protest today. The Bharatiya Kisan Union’s Haryana unit will hold a statewide protest against the Centre’s farm bills on Sunday during which they will block roads for three hours, even as Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar appealed for deferring the stir and invited them for talks.

Haryana BKU chief Gurnam Singh said the Centre did not withdraw the three agriculture-related ordinances and presented them as bills during the ongoing session of Parliament, which have been passed in the Lok Sabha.

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Parliament’s Monsoon Session likely to be curtailed as COVID-19 cases among MPs rise

The ongoing monsoon session of Parliament is likely to be curtailed and may end by the middle of next week in view of the threat of the COVID-19 spread among parliamentarians, official sources said on Saturday.

At a meeting of the business advisory committee of Lok Sabha, which has floor leaders of all parties besides the government representatives and is chaired by the Speaker, most political parties favoured curtailment of the session, which started on 14 September and was scheduled to conclude on 1 October.

A final decision will be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs.

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Zero Hour notices in Upper House today

Congress MP Ripun Bora on Sunday gave a Zero-Hour Notice in the Rajya Sabha over the “demand for the modification of modalities of the Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus package announced to combat the economic loss due to Covid-19 pandemic”

BJP MP Saroj Pandey gave a Zero-Hour Notice over the demand to implement Ayushman Bharat Yojna in the state of Chhattisgarh. BJP MP Vivek Thakur gave a notice over “the need for clarity on the uniform implementation of proposed Covid-19 vaccine in all states”.

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Upper House proceedings begin

Former Prime Minister and newly-elected Rajya Sabha MP HD Deve Gowda takes the oath. Welcoming him, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu says that Gowda is a good addition to the House. One of the senior most politicians in the country has come to our House, says the Chairman.

Papers being laid by MoS Parliamentary Affairs.

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Three Bills taken up by RS today

The three bills are – the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill; the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill; and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill. Almost all opposition parties are demanding that the bills should be sent to the select committee of the House.

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Upper House to take up contentious farm bills today

Rajya Sabha is likely to take up the contentious farm bills on Sunday with the Congress and many opposition parties trying to put a united front to oppose these proposed legislations terming them as anti-farmer and pro-corporate, even as the ruling BJP is also reaching out to several regional outfits for support.