Parliament Updates: Lok Sabha likely to adjourn sine die tomorrow, says PTI

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Massive backlog in recruitment, promotions of SCs, STs in NDMC: Parliamentary panel

A massive backlog exists in the direct recruitment and promotion of SCs and STs in various posts at the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), a parliamentary panel has pointed out.

According to a report of the committee on the welfare of SCs and STs on the subject "Reservation for and employment of SC and ST in NDMC", representation of SC/ST employees, who attended the training, seminars, symposia, conferences in foreign countries during the last five years, is not adequate.

"The committee noted that a massive backlog or shortfall exists in the direct recruitment and promotion of SCs and STs in group A, B, C and D categories of posts," the report, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, said.

The panel recommended that the NDMC in conjunction with the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) should devise an effective plan and make sincere efforts to overcome such shortfall, and the backlog should be cleared on priority basis, it said.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Speaker extends Lok Sabha proceedings till 10 pm

Speaker Om Birla has extended the Lok Sabha proceedings till 10 pm today. The House is taking up the Zero Hour now.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Only 0.16% people speak Urdu, the current official language of state: Centre

Reddy said that according to the Census of 2011 only 0.16 percent of the state's population speaks Urdu, which has remained the sole official language in the state. He said that Kashmir, spoken by over 56 percent population, Dogri, the language of over 20 percent people and Hindi, spoken by over 2 percent people were all ignored in the state for 70 years. 

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Lok Sabha discusses Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill 2020

Minister of State Home Affairs, G Kishan Reddy introduced the bill in thee Lok Sabha. 

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Lok Sabha passes key labour reform bill

Lok Sabha passed the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020, The Industrial Relations Code 2020 and The Code on Social Security 2020 by a voice vote, even as the Opposition remained missing from the House. 

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Database on migrant workers soon

Ministry of State, Labour and Employement Santosh Kumar Gangwar says "this government gives importance to the plight of migrant labourers. Many initiatives for for their benefit have been introduced. We are looking at provision for a database on migrant workers."  The minister also said that the bill has provisions for migrant workers to get a yearly travel allowance to go back to their home states. The bill also provisions for a free health checkup. 

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Lok Sabha Monsoon Session likely to end tomorrow

The Lok Sabha is likely to be adjourned sine die on Wednesday, eight days ahead of the scheduled end of the Monsoon Session, amid concerns of spread of coronavirus among lawmakers, sources said on 22 September, reports PTI.

The House, which will meet at 3 pm on Wednesday is likely to be adjourned sine die (when there is no decided date for resumption) around 5 pm after taking up an extended Zero Hour, the sources said.

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

RS Dy Chairman goes on fast over Opposition's 'humiliating' conduct towards him

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh invoked his humble origins in Bihar and socialist inspirations like JP and Karpoori Thakur on Tuesday, as he went on a fast citing opposition members' "humiliating" conduct towards him, which the ruling NDA has made into a political issue in the poll-bound state

He announced his 24-hour fast in a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, speaking at length about his anguish over the ruckus in the House during the passage of two farm bills on Sunday

The content of his letter - enlivened by emotions, reference to the Mahabharata and his ideological moorings - coupled with his gesture to offer tea to opposition members accused of "insulting" him and sitting on a dharna against their suspension, drew lavish praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Suspended RS MPs end dramatic sit-in after oppn decide to boycott House

With the Opposition deciding to boycott the Rajya Sabha, its eight suspended MPs on Tuesday ended their overnight sit-in inside the Parliament House complex and said they would take their fight against the farm bills to the street.

The suspended Rajya Sabha parliamentarians, who spent the night on the lawns near Mahatma Gandhi's statue in what several old-timers said was the first such overnight protest in the complex, got a surprise visitor in the morning -- Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh who came with tea and snacks.

Till late night, the protesting MPs raised slogans and sang songs while a host of Opposition leaders such as National Conference's Farooq Abdullah, Samajwadi Party's Jaya Bachchan and Congress' Ahmed Patel, Digvijaya Singh and Shashi Tharoor visited them to express their support.

-PTI

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

YSRC says labour codes will help attract FDI

Margani Bharat of the YSR Congress said the codes will push forward ease of doing business in the country as well as help in attracting more foreign direct investments.

According to BJP's Virendra Kumar, the codes will help in ensuring the welfare of labourers and also reduce 'inspector raj'. 

TDP's Jayadev Galla and Dileshwar Kamait (JD-U) also supported the codes.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Bill to benefit tea garden workers most, says BJP MP Raju Bista

Raju Bista of BJP said, supporting the three labour code bills, said that the tea workers of Bengal gets daily wage of ₹176 instead of the allocated ₹350, as the Minimum Wages Act was not implemented in the tea gardens. The Bill will thus benefit the tea garden workers most, he adds.

"It also guarantees men and women same rights. An appointment letter to migrant workers will be given now. The workers will aslo be provided ration at their workplace," adds the BJP MP.

Additionally, AIADMK  MP says, in the wake of COVID-19, the migrant workers are facing a lot of issues. "Therefore, I urge the government to provide them free rations. The government should also arrange free health check-up for them," he said.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Bills will create  better future for workers, says Dilip Ghosh

BJP's Dilip Ghosh told the Rajya Sabha that the condition of migrant workers in Bengal are deteriorating be it the workers of tea gardens or coal fields. "There was a time when everyone used to come in Bengal in search for work but now migrant labourers from Bengal has to go down south." he said.

"I hope the Bills will create a better future for these workers," added Ghosh.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Labour reform Codes to provide a milestone for welfare of workers, says labour minister

The labour reforms that are being undertaken by the government will prove to be a milestone for the welfare of workers, Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar said in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Lok Sabha took up three bills on the labour code, which were moved by Gangwar, amid boycott of House proceedings by several opposition parties, including the Congress, in protest against the suspension of eight Rajya Sabha members.

While moving the bills for consideration and passage, the minister said the government has come out with the changes in the legislations after extensive consultations with state governments and other stakeholders.

He said about three-fourth of the recommendations of the standing committee, which scrutinised the codes, have been incorporated in the bills by the government.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

BJD, YSRCP support labour safety Bills

Pinaki Misra of the BJD said that the Standing Committee laboured over many months on the Bills, the government accepted 74% of the recommendations. The nomenclature of "Chief Inspector", which is a reminder of inspector raj, should be reconsidered.

As per The Hindu, YSRCP Member Margani Bharat expresseD disappointment over 10 labour unions having approached the ILO to complain against the Indian government, with respect to the proposed legislations. We are supporting the Bills, he said.

Parliament LATEST Updates

Over 1 crore migrant labourers return to home states on foot during Mar-Jun: Govt

More than one crore migrant labourers returned to their home states on foot during March-June 2020, including those who travelled during the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdown, the government said on Tuesday.

"COVID-19 has resulted in migration of large number of workers from destination states to the home-states, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways V K Singh told Lok Sabha in a written reply.

As per the data compiled by Ministry of Labour and Employment, more than 1.06 crore migrant workers, including those who travelled on foot during the lockdown, returned to their home states, he said.

-PTI

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Speaker Om Birla meets Opposition members after they boycott LS session 

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is holding a meeting with members of Opposition parties after they announced a boycott of the session in solidarity with suspended Rajya Sabha MPs and in opposition of the Farm Bills, news agency ANI reported.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Labour codes to create a database of all migrant workers in India: BJP MP

BJP MP Pallab Lochan Das from Tezpur (Assam) terms the codes a major reform for the benefit of working class. "We have already universalised the minimum wage system and expanded its applicability, the definition of migrant worker has been changed for the first time," said Das.

"They can register with a portal and get all the benefits meant for migrant workers. This will also create a database of all migrant workers in the country." he added.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Lok Sabha begins debate on labour safety codes

Lok Sabha begins discussions on the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 amd the Code on Social Security, 2020. 

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Opposition boycotts Lok Sabha session

Various opposition parties, including the Congress and the TMC, on Tuesday boycotted Lok Sabha in solidarity with the eight Rajya Sabha members who were suspended for unruly behaviour.

Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said all opposition parties are boycotting Parliament in solidarity with the Rajya Sabha members who were suspended on Monday. "You have compelled us to do so," he said.

Opposition parties, including Congress, TMC, BSP and TRS, walked out of the Lok Sabha.Chowdhury did not specify for how long the boycott would continue.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla warned that members should not mention about the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha. He said all references made by members would be removed from the records.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Unfortunate that what happened in RS is being discussed in LS: Pralhad Joshi

'What happens in one House has never been discussed in another House. This is highly unfortunate that what happened in Rajya Sabha is being discussed here. Deputy Chairman was even beaten up," Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Pralhad Joshi tells Lok Sabha.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Opposition demands farm bills be withdrawn

Lok Sabha session begins. Speaker Om Birla urges smooth proceedings so that the session does not go on till midnight. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury replies saying "our only demand is for the withdrawn of the Farm Bills."

Other Opposition parties bring forth the issue of farmer protests and the contentious Farm Bills and raise slogans against it.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Lok Sabha re-assembles after being adjourned for an hour

Parliament LATEST Updates

Farmers need 'Many Thousand Markets' not 'One Market': Chidambaram

Senior Congress leader and former Union finance minister P Chidambaram also attacked the government over the farm bills issue.

"Government has released advertisements defending the farm bills. One line in the advertisement says that 'One Nation One Market' will give freedom to the farmers," he said in a series of tweets.

"Eight-five percent of farmers are small farmers with a little surplus to sell. If they have to sell the few bags of paddy or wheat, they need 'Many Thousand Markets' all over the country, not 'One Market'," Chidambaram asserted. "What do the Bills do to create thousands of farmers' markets in large villages and small towns?" he asked.

Asserting that thousands of markets will give freedom to farmers, he asked if the government's intention is to guarantee MSP, why is there no clause in the bills that stipulate that the "price shall not be less than the MSP" for that produce.

Parliament LATEST Updates

Rahul Gandhi accuses Centre of working for 'crony capitalists'

The Congress on Tuesday stepped up its attack on the government over the farm bills issue, with Rahul Gandhi accusing the Modi government of working for the development of crony capitalists and destroying farmers.

The Congress and some other opposition parties have been protesting against the farm bills, alleging these would harm the interest of farmers and benefit corporates, a claim denied by the government.  The Centre has asserted that the bills would be beneficial for farmers and increase their income.

"2014- Modi ji's election promise of Swaminathan commission MSP (minimum support price) for farmers. 2015- Modi government said in court that this will not be possible. 2020- Black agriculture laws," Gandhi tweeted in Hindi.

Then, in a four-line verse in Hindi, the former Congress president sarcastically said, "Modi ji's intention is 'clear'" with his new "anti-agriculture experiment". Development of crony capitalist "friends" at the cost of farmers, he said, according to a rough translation of his Hindi tweet.

Parliament LATEST Updates

TMC protests against farm Bills in Kolkata

Members of the Trinamool Congress women's wing staged a sit-in demonstration in Kolkata on Tuesday over the farm bills. Around a hundred activists protested near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on Mayo Road with empty plates on which slogans such as "krishokder jonyo lorchi lorbo" (will continue to fight for the farmers) were written.

TMC women's wing president Chandrima Bhattacharya said her party will continue the protest against the "anti-farmer bills" through various programmes in the coming days.

The Trinamool Congress in a tweet also said that the BJP was pursuing an agenda of "pseudo-nationalism" and carrying out "fascist attack" on grassroots workers of the society. "We will fight your fascism from the pavement to Parliament," it said.

-PTI

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Rajya Sabha passes 7 key bills in three and half hours

Meanwhile, in one of the most productive days in its history, Rajya Sabha on Tuesday in a matter of three and half hours passed seven key bills including one that removes cereals, pulses and onion from the essential commodities list and another that abolishes penalty for certain offences by companies.

This after most of the opposition including the Congress, Left parties, the TMC, the Samajwadi Party and the NCP decided to boycott House proceedings in protest against the suspension of eight MPs for the remainder of the session for unruly behaviour.

Only members from the ruling BJP and its ally JD-U and those of parties such as AIADMK, BJD, YSR-Congress and TDP, which have been extending support to the Modi government on various issues, participated in the debates on the bills.

In most bills, the members participation was sparse and the minister's reply brief.

-PTI

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Lok Sabha adjourned for an hour

Lok Sabha adjourned for one hour, following sloganeering by Opposition MPs over farmers protest

Lok Sabha was adjourned for an hour even before Zero Hour mentions after Congress raised the issue of MSP not finding mention in the recently passed agriculture Bills. They were supported by Trinamool Congress and DMK members.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Congress MP claims he was manhandled by Delhi Police

Congress member Ravneet Singh told the Lower House that he, along with three other members, went on a candle match till Vijay Chowk. He claims they were manhandled. Prohibitory orders restrict five people and more assembling, but we were only four people.  Speaker Om Birla said he has sought report from Delhi Police.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Lok Sabha proceedings begin

Amidst sloganeering, Lok Sabha proceedings have begun. Speaker Om Birla is chairing the session.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Adjournment motion notices in Lok Sabha

• TMC MP Saugata Roy has given an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over "farmers’ protest against Government policies in the farming sector".
• DMP MP A Raja has given an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha, demanding discussion on draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2020 and its impact on sustainable development
• Congress MP MK Raghavan has given an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha demanding discussion on 'border issues with neighbouring countries'

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

What is the Industrial Relations Code Bill, 2020?

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Arvind Kejriwal lauds protest by suspended RS MPs over farm Bills

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday targeted the government over the passage of the "dangerous" farm Bills without division of votes in Rajya Sabha, while lauding the sit-in protest on the Parliament premises by the eight suspended MPs.

Kejriwal said these eight MPs were fighting for the rights of farmers without worrying about heat, mosquitoes or other inconveniences and have spent the night protesting in the Parliament complex.

"They are not asking for anything for themselves. They are fighting for democracy and the Constitution. They are struggling for the farmers of the country," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi. Farmers across the country are saying that these laws will end them, he added.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Bills to be taken up in Lower House today

Lok Sabha will assemble at 3 pm. Here are the Bill to be taken up for consideration and passage in the Lower House today: 

• The Occupational Safety, Health And Working Conditions Code, 2020.
• The Industrial Relations Code, 2020.
• The Code On Social Security, 2020.
• The Factoring Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

Rajya Sabha Latest Updates

Take this black law back: Sanjay Singh to PM over farm Bills

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh on Tuesday tweeted eight opposition MPs, including him, suspended for Sunday’s unprecedented chaos in the Rajya Sabha, were not fighting for tea but for the welfare of the farmers.

The AAP leader in a tweet in Hindi said: “Mr Modi, we are not fighting for our tea. We are fighting for the welfare of our farmers, which you have taken away. I humbly request you - I am returning your tea with all due respect, please return my farmers’ morsel,”

He further asked the prime minister to take back the 'black law'. 

He was responding to PM Modi’s praise for Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson Harivansh, who had offered tea to the suspended MPs. Harivansh is at the centre of the entire controversy.

Rajya Sabha Latest Updates

Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 9 am on Wednesday after the passage of the Rashtriya Raksha University Bill, 2020 and Taxation Amendment Bill 2020.

As Opposition Benches remained empty following a walkout, the House discussed five bills in two hours and passed a total of seven bills since the session began at 9 am today.

Rajya Sabha Latest Updates

Will consider revoking suspension after MPs apologise: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the government will consider revoking the suspension of eight Rajya Sabha MPs only if they apologise for their unruly behaviour in the House.

"We expected the Congress would oppose such unruly behaviour by Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha," he told reporters. Referring to tweets by party leader Rahul Gandhi, who is outside the country accompanying his mother Sonia Gandhi for her medical check-up, Prasad said, “What kind of politics is this that a tweet comes from abroad and MPs behave like this."

“We have never seen a Congress MP dancing on the Rajya Sabha table and tear papers," Prasad said.

Rajya Sabha Latest Updates

House passes the National Forensic Sciences University Bill

The Rajya Sabha passed the National Forensic Sciences University Bill 2020, moved in the House by MoS Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy.

Ahead of the passage of the Bill, Reddy said that the Bill assumes importance amid rising crimes in the country, with 1.50 lakh cases pending at forensic science labs due to lack of manpower. He also said that it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to set up state-of-the art forensic research and education institutions.

He added that the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University is being upgraded to a national university, for which the Gujarat government has given in-principle approval.

Rajya Sabha Latest Updates

House passes The Companies (Amendment) Bill

Ahead of the Bill's passage, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Bill includes 48 amendments in 13 sections aimed at decriminalisation and related matters and one chapter pertaining to ease of living.

The 35 non-compoundable penal sections remain, "we are not touching them", she said, adding that, "We are not giving an opportunity for fraud, deceit and injury to public interest."

Reduction in penalties for certain offences as well as in timeline for rights issues, relaxation in CSR compliance requirements and creation of separate benches at the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) are also among the proposed amendments.

Rajya Sabha Latest Updates

House passes The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020

The Rajya Sabha passed The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020 by voice vote. Responding to concerns of MPs over Yes Bank and PMC Bank scams, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the amendment aims to protect the interest of depositors.

Rajya Sabha Latest Updates

Nirmala Sitharaman moves Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020

BJP MP Ashwini Vaishnaw, lauding Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh on his "non-violent response to violent actions", said the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill has a "human angle" to it.

When the promoters of Yes Bank tried to swindle the hard-earned incomes of people, the government took quick action and a reconstruction plan was formulated, he said. The plan was applauded all over the world and said that examples such as those of PMC and Yes banks show the importance and requirement of the Bill.

"Cooperative structure of 'one share, one vote' is not being changed," he said, adding that cooperative federalism is not being compromised.

Sharad  Pawar to observe fast in support of suspended MPs

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar said he stands with the eight MPs who were suspended by Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu for unruly behaviour. The 79-year-old leader said he will fast for a day to show his support.

Pawar told reports, "One suicide case is being talked about for the last three months. Ignoring other issues is not right. Farmers are also dying by suicide and the government needs to focus on that too."

Rajya Sabha Latest Updates

House passes Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill

Ahead of the passage of the Bill, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Danve Raosaheb Dadarao said the ordinance was brought in, in the midst of the lockdown so farmers had a way of selling their crops. The Minister said the Bill is in the interest of farmers and consumers.

The Bill seeks to remove cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion and potatoes from list of essential commodities.

Rajya Sabha Latest Updates

House passes Indian Institutes of Information Technology Laws Bill

The Rajya Sabha passed the Indian Institutes of Information Technology Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which amends Indian Institutes of Information Technology Act, 2014 and the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-Private Partnership) Act, 2017.

The Bill seeks to declare five Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) set up under the Public-Private Partnership model in Surat, Bhopal, Bhagalpur, Agartala and Raichur as institutions of national importance.

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Rajya Sabha dy chairman offers tea to protesting MPs; Modi says gesture shows his 'big heart'

The sit-in protest by eight suspended MPs on Parliament premises continued for the second day on Tuesday, with Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh offering them tea in the morning.

The suspended parliamentarians spent the night in the lawns near Mahatma Gandhi's statue, a first such overnight protest in the Parliament complex, old-timers said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Harivansh Singh's gesture was proof of his greatness.

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Oppn to boycott rest of Monsoon session 

Congress MP and INC chief whip Jairam Ramesh listed seven reasons why the Opposition has decided to boycott rest of the Monsoon session of Rajya Sabha.

"The manner in which Bills have been bulldozed by the government; the manner in which eight MPs were suspended without being given a hearing and without division on suspension motion as per the rules; the manner in which Leader of Opposition has not been allowed to speak; the manner in which the Government has simply failed to accommodate views of the Opposition; the manner in which crucial Bills have not been referred to Standing or Select Committees, the manner in which division vote was not allowed on the 2 agricultural marketing Bills; the manner in which MSP was not made part of the agricultural marketing law and not made applicable to private trade," tweeted the Congress leader. 

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Bill to give impetus to education, employment in North East region: BJP leader

Speaking on the Indian Institutes of Information Technology Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020, BJP leader Kamakhya Prasad said information technology will gain more importance in the post-COVID world. He said the Bill will give an impetus to education and employment in the Northeastern states.

gives an impetus to education and employment in the northeast region and supports the Bill.

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Education minister resumes speech on Indian Institutes of Information Technology Laws Bill

Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank resumes his speech on the Indian Institutes of Information Technology Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

The Bill amends Indian Institutes of Information Technology Act, 2014 and the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-Private Partnership) Act, 2017.

The Bill seeks to declare five Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) set up under the Public Private Partnership mode in Surat, Bhopal, Bhagalpur, Agartala, and Raichur as institutions of national importance.

Rajya Sabha LATEST Updates

Will boycott session till govt accepts demand for another farm bill: Ghulam Nabi Azad

Rajya Sabha Latest Updates

Govt not hellbent on keeping suspended MPs out of House: Pralhad Joshi

Pralhad Joshi said that the government was ready to hold discussion of Bills with the Opposition and said the Centre is not hellbent upon keeping the suspended MPs out of the House. "If they express regret, the government will look into it," he said. 

"Is it not painful what happened in the Upper House? Is it a way to behave? If they express their regret, the government is not bent upon to run the business without them. We are ready to hold a discussion as we're on a strong footing," Joshi said.

Rajya Sabha Latest Updates

Hope we don’t move towards one nation, one party: Ghulam Nabi Azad

Referring to ‘one nation, one market’ advertisements in newspapers on Tuesday following the passage of farm Bills, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “"The MSP announced yesterday should have been done before. Today, the government has issued an advertisement saying 'one nation, one market'. Don't go towards one nation, one party.”

He also said the government should bring a new Bill to make MSP mandatory on private companies. He also sought the revocation of suspension of eight Rajya Sabha MPs.

“Till our demands which include revocation of suspension of the eight MPs and government to bring another bill under which no private player can purchase below MSP are not met, the Opposition will boycott the session,” he concluded.

Rajya Sabha Latest Updates

Oppn will boycott session till demands are met: Ghulam Nabi Azad

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said no one is happy with what transpired in the House over the past two days. "We fight for each minute in the House like it's a fight at the border. If we go beyond time restrictions, things will be de-escalated 90 percent," he said.

"Day before yesterday was the last straw that broke the camel's back. Bills don't go to standing committee or the select committee. I don't approve of the fight - breaking the mics, standing on the tables. But it was the last straw," he said.

He went on to speak on the denial of division of votes, adding that there were 18 parties on one side and NDA on one side.

Recalling late Arun Jaitley’s statement that the government becomes illegitimate if division of votes is denied, Azad said that the stature of the Leader of Opposition has been downgraded. "There would be no time constraints put on the LoP. We could speak freely," he said.

Rajya Sabha Latest Updates

Modi lauds Deputy Chairman's visit to suspended MPs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded deputy chairman Harivansh Singh for serving tea to "those who attacked and insulted him a few days ago as well as those sitting on Dharna". "He has been blessed with a humble mind and a big heart. It shows his greatness. I join the people of India in congratulating Harivansh Ji," he tweeted.

He went on to say, "For centuries, the great land of Bihar has been teaching us the values of democracy."

Rajya Sabha Latest Updates

Opposition leaders visit suspended MPs

Senior opposition leaders, including NC leader Farooq Abdullah, JD(S)' HD Deve Gowda, Samajwadi Party's Jaya Bachchan, Congress’ Ahmed Patel and NCP's Praful Patel, paid a visit to the eight MPs who were suspended on Monday due to unruly behaviour. Congress' Shashi Tharoor also visited the Rajya Sabha members, who sat in protest throught the night.

Rajya Sabha Latest Updates

Harivansh Singh meets suspended MPs

Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Singh met the eight MPs, who were suspended for unruly behaviour during the debate on two farm bills on Sunday and have been protesting in the Parliament Complex since their suspension on Monday morning.

The MPs were suspended for snatching papers from the Chair, throwing the rule book at Singh and damaging the mics, apart from sloganeering and disrupting the House.