Parliament Updates: LS adjourned till 3 pm tomorrow; House passes bill reducing MPs' salaries, amended Essential Commodities Bill

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Lok Sabha passes The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020

The Act empowers the central government to control the production, supply, distribution,  trade, and commerce in certain commodities. The Ordinance seeks to increase competition in the agriculture sector and enhance farmers’ income. It aims to liberalise the regulatory system while protecting the interests of consumers.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

SAD ’exposed’ after introduction of farm bills in Parliament, says Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said the introduction of farm bills in Parliament by the Centre had “totally exposed” the Shiromani Akali Dal’s “pretence” of protecting the interests of farmers of the state.

  With the BJP-led NDA government going ahead with laying the bills on the table of the House on the very first day of Parliament session on Monday, instead of accepting SAD’s “so-called plea” to defer the same, the Akali “charade” on the issue had been laid bare, the chief minister said.

Last week, the Akalis had appealed to the BJP-led Centre not to present three farm ordinances for approval in Parliament until “all reservations” expressed by farmers are “duly addressed”

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Lower House remains divided over Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill

House divided on the Bill over delimitation of stock. BJD’s Bhartruhari Mahtab and BSP’s Danish Ali oppose the Bill, with the latter accusing the government of selling everything, from airports to railways and now crop production, to corporates.

Lok Sabha is currently discussing the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020. The Bill amends the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Three ordinances were promulgated in the agricultural sector earlier this year, of which the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020, was one. Bills to replace all 3 ordinances were introduced in the Lok Sabha yesterday.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Punjab farmers block roads, say MPs supporting farm bills to be barred from villages

Punjab’s agitating farmers on Tuesday warned that any Punjab MP who supports the farm bills in parliament will not be allowed to enter the villages as they blocked roads at many places as part of their state-wide protest.  

The protesting farmers squatted on highways and other key roads for two hours at several places across the state against the three bills calling them anti-farmer. Commuters faced inconvenience because of road blockades while the authorities diverted traffic.            

The Centre introduced the bills on food and agriculture reform in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The proposed legislations seek to provide barrier-free trade for farmers’ produce outside notified farm mandis, and empower farmers to enter into farming agreements with private players prior to production for sale of agri-produce.        

MPs who support these farm bills in parliament will not be allowed to enter villages and we will teach him a lesson, warned Bhartiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal) general secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal. Calling the bills worse than coronavirus, he said they would negatively affect farmers, arthiyas (commission agents) and farm labourers, if implemented.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Free ration distributed to 2.67 cr migrants per month in May, June: Govt tell LS

Free ration was distributed to 2.67 crore migrant workers per month in May and June against the target of 8 crore under the Atmanirbhar Bharat package announced following the COVID-19 outbreak, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.  

“Until 31 August, about 2.67 lakh tonnes (provisional) of foodgrains have been distributed under the scheme to about 2.67 crore persons (i.e. 94.6 per cent of estimated beneficiaries by States/UTs) per month for the months of May and June,” Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs Danve Raosaheb Dadarao said.

The minister, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, further said the Centre had liberally allocated foodgrains to cover maximum migrants/stranded migrants. The government had allocated 8 lakh tonnes for two months. 

-PTI

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Shiv Sena, JDU extend support to Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill

As per The Hindu, DM Kathir Anand, DMK, says the the proposed amendment is open to debate before being passed, the ordinance route had bypassed the legislation route. “The amendment is likely to benefit the MNCs, big corporates, but not the farmers directly,” he says, urging the government to send the Bill to Select Committee.

Both the Shiv Sena and the JD(U) are also in favour of the amendment.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Congress MP asks Centre to seek detailed report on sexual assault of COVID patient in Kerala

Congress member Suresh Kodikunnil on Tuesday raised the issue of sexual assault on a COVID-19 patient in Kerala and urged the Centre to seek a detailed report on the incident.

Raising the matter during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, he said it shows that there is no protection available for coronavirus patients in the southern state. “The incident that has happened in the state of Kerala is a shame for the country. So I would like to request that the Health and Family Welfare Ministry should ask for a detailed report on the incident, Kodikunnil said.

Earlier this month, a 19-year-old woman COVID-19 patient was sexually abused by an ambulance driver while she was being shifted to a first line treatment centre near Pathanamthitta in Kerala, police said.

-PTI

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

MP’s Sougata Roy, Amar Singh oppose Essential Commodities (Amendement) Bill

MP Sougata Roy, MP Amar Singh on Tuesday opposed the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 in the Lower House. Singh said the legislation departs from the Principal Act as Act empowers the government to issue directions to ensure ’equitable distribution’ and ‘maintenance fair prices’ whereas a bill restricts power to ’extraordinary circumstances.’

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Proposed pay cut in salaries to save less than 0.001% of Centre’s COVID package: Report

The amendments to reduce salaries and allowances of MPs and Ministers, under The Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, are done to supplement the central government’s resources to fight the coronavirus pandemic. The question is whether this reduction has a significant impact to help ramp up financial resources needed to fight COVID-19.

As per PRS Legislative Research, the proposed reduction to the salaries and allowances of MPs and Ministers amounts to savings of around Rs 54 crore. This is less than 0.001% of Rs 20 lakh crore which is the amount of the special economic package announced by the centre, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Bill reducing MPs’ salary by 30% passed in Lok Sabha

Parliamentary Affairs Minister’s response to the issues raised: “The scope of the Bill is regarding 30% reduction in salary of members. I thank all the members who have supported it. This is unprecedented”.

“The government has taken unprecedented measures to tackle Covid-19. Rs.20 lakh crore had been given,” he says. Objections are raised by some members. “Till November, almost all poor people will be getting rations. MNREGA wages have also been increased,” says Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.

The motion for consideration of the Bill is adopted. Motion moved by Sougata Ray for increasing deduction to 35% is negatived by voice vote.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

No actionable inputs to show nexus between people in film industry, drug traffickers: Govt in LS

The government on Tuesday said no actionable inputs were received by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) revealing the alleged nexus between people in the film industry and drug traffickers.

Replying to a written question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said the NCB carries out searches, seizures, arrests and investigations continuously throughout the year on the actionable inputs developed on its own or received from other sources.

“During the period of COVID-19 lockdown, no such actionable inputs were received by NCB revealing the nexus between people in the film industry and drug traffickers.

“However, a case in this regard has been registered by NCB Mumbai zonal unit on 28 August, 2020. Till date, in this case 10 persons have been arrested. Drugs such as Ganja, Hashish, Tetra Hydro Cannabinol and Lysergic acid De-ethylamide have been seized in the operation,” he said.

-PTI

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

4,132 paramilitary die on duty in 3 years: MHA tells LS

A total of 4,132 paramilitary personnel died during duty between 2017 and 2019, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the deaths include gazetted officers, subordinate officers and other ranks.

The highest number of personnel who died during their service period belonged to the CRPF (1,597), followed by 725 of the BSF, 671 of the CISF, 429 of the ITBP, 329 of the SSB and 381 of the Assam Rifles, he said replying to a written question. 

-PTI

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Lower House tables Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill

 Lok Sabha begins discussing the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020. The Bill amends amend the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

TMC MP Mahua Moitra speaks in favour of restoring MPLADS funds

“The government came to power on promises of transparency and accountability. In the past six years, we’ve had very little of that from the government. The MPLADS is perhaps the only thing where MPs are directly accountable to their constituents " Mahua Moitra, TMC MP on  Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

‘Border issue unresolved,’ says Rajanth Singh in LS; Owaisi terms response ‘weak and inadequate’

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi has termed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s speech on China in the Lok Sabha as weak, inadequate and ‘a ‘ghinona mazaak’ in the name of national security.

Owaisi said that had he been permitted to ask the question, he would have asked the defence minister about the Chinese occupation of 1000 sq km of territory that India used to patrol.

Today @rajnathsingh made a statement on China on behalf of his govt. I have not seen a statement that is so weak & inadequate

This is a 'ghinona mazaak' in name of national security

I wasn't permitted to speak in the House following this statement. If I had, I would have asked: https://t.co/Liicae067O

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) September 15, 2020

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Blatant lies in Parliament by MHA that no one in J&K is under house arrest, tweets PDP leader

Jammu and Kashmir PDP youth leader Waheed Ur Rehman has accused the MHA of lying to the Lok Sabha. The MHA has submitted a written reply claiming that no one is under house arrest in Jammu and Kashmir. However, Waheed Ur Rehman said that he, along with many others, has been under house arrest for over seven months.

“Blatant lies in the parliament by Union Ministers that no one is under house arrest. It has now been 7 months of house arrest and 6 months of detention for many of us, since 5 August, 2019,” he said.

Blatant lies in the parliment by union ministers that no one is under house arrest. It has now been 7 months of house arrest and 6 months of detention for many of us, since 5 August, 2019. pic.twitter.com/9al2bOQfJO

— Waheed Para (@parawahid) September 15, 2020

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

We need MPLADs funds to extend help to people, says Adhir Chowdhary

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary says a unanimous resolution be passed for restitution of MPLADs, as MPs rely on MPLADs to extend help to the people in our constituencies. “We were ready to provide masks, ventilators and even ambulances in our areas from the fund. Almost 80% of the fund is spent in rural areas; why are you taking away the funds meant to be spent on Scheduled Castes?” he asks.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

223 people under detention in J&K, no one under house arrest now: Govt in LS

Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said the government of Jammu and Kashmir has reported that after the abrogation of Article 370 in August last year various measures were taken to maintain public order which included preventive detention of certain persons.

“As on September 11, 2020, 223 persons are under detention. No person is under house arrest in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha. Reddy also said after the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019, the number of terrorist incidents have reduced significantly. 

-PTI

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Please take our salaries, but not MPLADS funds, says LS MP

“Please take our (MPs) salaries, but please do not cut MPLADS funds (Members of Parliament Local Area Development) meant for development works,” said Navneet Ravi Rana, Independent MP from Amravati, Maharashtra, in Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Shashi Tharoor slams Rajnath Singh’s statement on India-China standoff 

For instance: since the Defence Minister excoriated China for transgressing the LAC, could the Govt explain why the Prime Minister had issued an extraordinary statement claiming that China had not entered our territory? Presumably the Government has changed the PM’s stand?

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) September 15, 2020

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

PM misled the country on Chinese encroachment: Rahul Gandhi attacks Centre

Meanwhile, Congress leader once again attacked the BJP-led Centre over the India-China standoff after Rajnath Singh’s statement in the Lok Sabha. In a tweet in Hindi the Congress leader said: " It is clear from the statement of the Defense Minister that Modi ji misled the country on Chinese encroachment. Our country has always been, and will remain, with the Indian Army. But Mr. Modi, w hen will you stand against China? When will we take back the land of our country from China? Do not be afraid to name China."

रक्षामंत्री के बयान से साफ़ है कि मोदी जी ने देश को चीनी अतिक्रमण पर गुमराह किया।

हमारा देश हमेशा से भारतीय सेना के साथ खड़ा था, है और रहेगा।

लेकिन मोदी जी,
आप कब चीन के ख़िलाफ़ खड़े होंगे?
चीन से हमारे देश की ज़मीन कब वापस लेंगे?

चीन का नाम लेने से डरो मत।

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 15, 2020

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Why is govt not reducing its own expenditure, asks Supriya Sule

“The Central Vista project must be cancelled, and more ventilators must be brought for the common man in this nation. Why is the government not reducing its expenditure to make sure that the costs come down,” said NCP MP Supriya Sule in Lok Sabha while discussing the Salary, Allowences and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

Several MPs speak in favour of restoring MPLAD Funds

Several MPs speak for restoration of MPLAD funds. As per The Indian Express, MPLAD is a central government scheme, under which MPs can recommend development programmes involving spending of Rs 5 crore every year in their respective constituencies. MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated ones, can do so.

Lok Sabha LATEST Update

MPs salary cut to amount to Rs 50 cr, which is ‘much lesser’ than Centre’s COVID package, says Congress

The Salary, Allowences and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill is currently being taken up in the Lok Sabha as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moves it for consideration.

Congress Member Dean Kuriakose said that total collection from the salary deduction would be around ₹50 crore, which is very less compared to the economic package announced by the government in view of the COVID-19 outbreak. Due to several reasons, the decision to freeze MPLADs for two years was wrong.

BJP MP Vijay Baghel from Durg (Chhattisgarh) endorses the Bill, that proposes to replace an ordinance brought in April through which 30% salary of parliamentarians was deducted.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Parliament begins discussing bill seeking to reduce MP salaries by 30%

Members of the Lok Sabha began discussions on a bill that seeks to reduce for one year the salaries of Members of Parliament by 30 percent “to meet the exigencies arising out of COVID-19 pandemic”.

As per PRS Legislative Research, the proposed reduction to the salaries and allowances of MPs and Ministers amounts to savings of around Rs 54 crore. This is less than 0.001% of Rs 20 lakh crore which is the amount of the special economic package announced by the centre, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

COVID-19 cases rising post-lockdown phase, says health minister

Lockdown from 25 March to 31 May successfully controlled aggressive progression of COVID-19 in India but there has been steady rise in number of cases in post-lockdown phase: Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Choubey tells Rajya Sabha

“Lockdown helped create additional health infrastructure. During this time, dedicated isolation beds went up by 22 times & dedicated ICU beds, above 14 times from what existed in March 2020. Testing capacity for COVID increased 10 times; limited indigenous manufacturing capacity for masks, PPEs, ventilators, etc. at the time of lockdown, was also enhanced to attain self-reliance. By slowing down Covid spread, 14–29 lakh cases & 37,000–78,000 deaths prevented.” he said.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Harsh Vardhan introduces Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill’

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan introduced ‘The Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill, 2020,’ which will grants institutions of national importance status by conglomerating the cluster of Ayurveda institutes at Gujarat Ayurveda University campus in Jamnagar.

Lok Sabha had already approved the bill in the last session, in which three Jamnagar, Gujarat-based institutes – Institute of Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gulabkunwerba Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya and Institute of Ayurveda Pharmaceutical Sciences, would be conglomerated.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Country is with military, but answer these questions first: Randeep Surjewala asks Rajnath Singh

After the Congress staged a walkout on Tuesday, Congress spokesperson, Randeep Singh Surjewala, in a tweet asked Rajnath Singh, “The country is united with the military. But tell us,  How did China dare occupy our land? Why did Modiji mislead us on China not infiltrating our region? When will we drive China back from our land? When will we show China the red eye?”

मा. राजनाथ जी,

देश सेना के साथ एकजुट है। पर ये बताएँ-

चीन ने हमारी सरज़मीं पर क़ब्ज़े का दुस्साहस कैसे किया?

मोदीजी ने चीन द्वारा हमारे क्षेत्र में घुसपैठ न करने बारे गुमराह क्यों किया?

चीन को हमारी सरज़मीं से वापस कब ख़देड़ेंगे?

चीन को लाल आँख कब दिखाएँगे?

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) September 15, 2020

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Congress stages walkout in Lower House

After Rajnath Singh finished his address in Lok Sabha, Congress MPs staged a walkout from the lower house, demanding discussion on India-China border issue.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

China continues to illegally occupy 38,000 sq kms in Ladakh: Rajnath Singh

“China continues to be in illegal occupation of approximately 38,000 sq. kms in Ladakh. In addition, under the so-called Sino-Pakistan ‘Boundary Agreement’ of 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. km. of Indian territory in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to China,” said Rajnath Singh in the Lok Sabha today.

“In the past too, we’ve had situations of prolonged stand-offs in border areas with China which were resolved peacefully. Even though the situation this year is very different both in terms of the scale of troops involved and the number of friction points, we remain committed to peaceful resolution.” he adds.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

India would protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity: Rajnath Singh

“I request this house to pass a resolution that we stand with our armed forces who are guarding our borders to safeguard India’s sovereignty and unity,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tells Lok Sabha.

“In meeting with Chinese Defence Minister, I clearly stated that while our troops had always taken a responsible approach towards border management, but at same time there should be no doubt about our determination to protect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” he added.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Prepared for all outcomes: Defence Minister tells LS

Rajnath Singh told the Lower House of Parliament: “I met my Chinese counterpart in Moscow recently, and put forward our concerns, but made it absolutely clear that India is very serious about issues of sovereignty.”

“A few days later, (external affairs minister) S Jaishakar met his counterpart in Moscow, and told him that if China respects the agreements signed and removes their buildup, then peace can return to the boundary between the two nations.” he said.

“However, I want to inform this House and through it the entire nation, that we are prepared for all outcomes to ensure India’s sovereignty is maintained,” he adds.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Violent conduct of Chinese troops is a violation of all past agreements: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday told the Lok Sabha that the “violent conduct of Chinese troops is a violation of all past agreements. Our troops have done counter deployments in the area to safeguard our borders.”

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Indian Army ready to deal with any situation along LAC, says Rajanth Singh

“China has mobilised a huge number of Army battalions and armaments along LAC and inner areas. There’re many friction points in eastern Ladakh, Gogra, Kongka La, Pangong Lake’s north and south banks. Indian Army has made counter deployments in these areas. I want to assure you that we are ready to deal with any situation,” Defence Minister Rajanth Singh, speaking in Lok Sabha, on India-China border issue.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Since April, China has been increasing troops along border: defence minister tells LS

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Lok Sabha that the perception of LAC is different for India and China. He said the government was actively coordinating with different intelligence agencies. “Since April, China has been increasing the presence of soldiers and arm deployment at the border. India has successfully warned China through diplomatic and military channels.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

India and China have different perceptions: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday told the Lok Sabha that India maintains that China is under the illegal occupation of Aksai Chin. Apart from this, Pakistan has illegally “sold” land in PoK to China, he adds. “Both India and China have two different perceptions of the LAC and this has led to a face-off between both armies.”

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

China believes LAC not ‘clearly demarcated’, says Rajnath

China believes that the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is not clearly demarcated, said the defense minister. “We want peaceful resolution to the LAC issue. I want to inform all that the LAC is not delineated and both India and China have agreed to maintain peace at the border. Any activity at the LAC will impact the relationship between the two countries,” says Rajnath Singh at Lok Sabha.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

Both sides have agreed to maintain peace, says Rajnath Singh

Both India and China agree that to maintain peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas, it is essential for the further development of bilateral relations, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tells Lok Sabha on India-China border issue.

Lok Sabha LATEST Updates

No discussion on India-China standoff, says Centre

As per media reports, there will be no discussion on China today. A suo moto statement by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be put in today, government told Opposition parties during Lok Sabha’s BAC meeting.