Rajya Sabha deputy chairman election LATEST updates: Finance Minister Piyush Goyal said that the capacity to slash the GST rates on more items would go up as Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenues and the compliance rate increases and the economy formalises. The Rajya Sabha has passed the National Sports University Bill 2018 despite the sloganeering by some Opposition members in Well. The Rajya Sabha has passed The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2018. CPM leader Sitaram Yechury has said that the government must bring an Ordinance to introduce the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, which overturns a Supreme Court judgment on the issue. Yechury, who often criticises the government to take the Ordinance route, said that the government belatedly introduced the legislation because of which it may not be passed in the House as today is the last day of the Monsoon Session. The Union Cabinet has approved amendment in the Triple Talaq Bill. Although the offence continues to remain non-bailable but a magistrate can give bail, ANI reported. As Union Minister Piyush Goyal introduced the Bills to amend the GST (Compensation to States), the IGST and the CGST laws for consideration and passing, the Opposition raised objections to his speech and asked for it to be expunged. Whereas, Congress members on Thursday created uproarious scenes in the Lok Sabha demanding a probe into the Rafale fighter aircraft deal by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, forcing an adjournment of the proceedings. The Congress members raised the issue as soon as the Zero Hour began with their leader Mallikarjun Kharge seeking the Speaker’s permission to speak on the alleged scam. Meanwhile, in Rajya Sabha after Thaawar Chand Gehlot rose to introduce The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2018 for consideration and passing, Kumari Selja of the Congress said that every 15 minutes there is a crime against Dalits. The Chairman of Rajya Sabha Venakaiah Naidu adjourned the House for 10 minutes as Opposition continued to protest. Meanwhile, in Lok Sabha as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan continued with normal proceedings, the Opposition members stormed into the Well of the House carrying placards and raised slogans against Rafale Deal forcing the Speaker adjourned the House first for 20 minutes till 1 pm. However, when the House met again, the protests continued and thus it was again till 2 pm. Members of the House are holding a discussion on amendments to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The government had bought in a bill to restore the original provisions of the Act which was first passed by the Cabinet and later the Lok Sabha. Chairman Venakaiah Naidu invited the new deputy chairman to take hold of the House and Harivansh Narayan Singh announced for its adjournment till 2 pm, soon after. Naidu will host a breakfast on Friday for all members along with the new deputy chairman. The newly-elected dy chair of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh said that he hopes that all members will work together with cooperation and tread on Gandhian principles for a smooth run of the Upper House going forward. ‘Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose’, Sonia Gandhi said as NDA candidate Harivansh Narayan Singh became the new Rajya Sabha deputy chairman. Whereas, Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Assam chief minister Sarbanand Sonowal tweeted to congratulate the newly-elelcted Rajya Sabha deputy chairman. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated JDU MP Harivansh Narayan Singh and praised his good deeds and contribution to the field of journalism. Whereas, the members of the Opposition like TMC’s Derek O’Brien and AIADMK MPs congratulated the newly elected dy chairman and also hailed the ‘clean polls’ where both the candidates cored ‘centuries’. Leader of the House Arun Jaitley said that he is hopeful that under the leadership of the newly-elected deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh, the level of public discourse will be elevated manifold. Narendra Modi while praising new dy chairman of RS, on a lighter note, said that he hopes there will be harikripa (God’s blessings) in the House with his election. After the Upper House elected NDA’s candidate Harivansh Narayan Singh as the Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman, Narendra Modi spoke in the House and praised the newly-elected dy chairman for his large-heartedness. NDA candidate Harivansh Narayan Singh elected as the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman with 125 ayes against 105 noes. Chairman Venakaiah naidu had to conduct the voting for RS deputy chairman again due to mistakes. Chairman Venkaiah Naidu has accepted the motions moved for both the candidates and the members will now vote. Division call for election of deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha has been announced by the Chairman. Secretary-General explains the voting procedure to the members. The Rajya Sabha has started has proceedings for the day as Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu addressed the Upper House members. YSR Congress decides to abstain from Rajya Sabha deputy chairman election. Meanwhile, BJP has issued a three line whip to its Rajya Sabha MPs to be present in the house on Thursday during the voiting for Rajya Sabha deputy chairman, ANI reported. A keen contest is on the cards on Thursday between NDA nominee Harivansh and joint opposition candidate BK Hariprasad for the post of Rajya Sabha deputy chairman, with both sides claiming majority support. The numbers, however, appear stacked in favour of the ruling coalition which claims the support of 126 members in the Upper House, which has an effective strength of 244 MPs. While Harivansh is a first-time MP of the JD-U, Hariprasad is a three-time parliamentarian of the Congress. Both the ruling NDA and the opposition camp gave notices on behalf of their respective candidates and their papers have been found to be in order, according to sources in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat. The election will be held at 11 am on Thursday, soon after the laying of papers. The post of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman has been lying vacant since the retirement of PJ Kurien on 1 July. The opposition camp is claiming support of various parties, including Congress, TMC, DMK, Left parties, SP, BSP, NCP, TDP. “We have decided to support Congress leader BK Hariprasad,” TDP leader Y S Choudhary said. The TDP has six members in the Upper House. On the other hand, the ruling NDA is intact, with the Shiv Sena and Akali Dal extending their full support to the official nominee, besides also by independent parties like the AIADMK and the TRS. Sources said the top BJP leadership, as well as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, are learnt to have talked to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his party’s support to Harivansh. The BJD has 9 MPs in the Upper House, while AIADMK and TRS have 13 and 6 MPs respectively. “We have numbers on our side and Harivanshji will comfortably win the election tomorrow. It would have been better if the deputy chairman was elected unanimously,” Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said. [caption id=“attachment_4277349” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
File image of Rajya Sabha. PTI[/caption] Congress senior spokesperson Anand Sharma claimed the opposition has the numbers as well as a formidable candidate in Hariprasad, even as he accused the government and the BJP of using every tactic and influence of their authority and power to swing the election. He claimed that the NDA did not have the majority in the Rajya Sabha, else the BJP would have fielded its own candidate, and said the ruling party is going well beyond its fold to get votes. Asked if the election was a fitness test for the opposition, Sharma said, “Do not pre-judge an election. Wait - otherwise the same thing can be extended even to the general elections. If anybody says why the opposition is contesting, is actually assaulting the very essence and spirit of democracy.” The opposition, he said, is unitedly contesting the election of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman as it is not happy with the present state of affairs and the prevailing environment in the country. “We have a formidable candidate not the NDA. The BJP, if it had the majority, should have fielded its own candidate. Even after fielding a candidate of a party, which has made few changes in its position in the recent past JD(U). “Still, they lack the majority and that is why they are desperate to reach out to others outside the fold of the NDA. I am making it very clear. The NDA as such did not have majority, does not have majority. They have gone well beyond the fold of the NDA to get votes,” he said. Hariprasad said when there is contest, “it is good contest”. “It is a great honor to me to be the joint candidate of the opposition for the post of deputy chairman,” he said. “We know that the Government of the India and the ruling party has been using every tactic, using the influence of their authority, power just to swing the election,” he said. Sharma said it is not only the numbers that make the candidate formidable and claimed theirs is a “better candidate”. “We have the numbers”. According to BJP’s calculations, Harivansh is likely to get the backing of 91 NDA members, three nominated and erstwhile SP MP Amar Singh. He also has the votes of some non-NDA parties – AIADMK (13 members), TRS (six), YSRCP (two) and INLD (one) — adding up to 117. Besides, the ruling alliance is counting on the support of nine BJD MPs, totalling 126 votes, BJP leaders claimed. Hariprasad has the support of 61 MPs of the Congress-led UPA, 13 members each of the TMC and the SP, six MPs of the TDP, five of the CPI(M), four each from the BSP and the DMK, two of the CPI and one MP of the JD(S), adding up to 109 members. One nominated and one independent member will also support the candidature of Hariprasad, sources in the opposition said. This would take the expected opposition total to about 111, they said. The arithmetic could change with the death of DMK chief Karunanidhi and uncertainty whether the party’s MPs would travel to Delhi for the election. The PDP, which has two MPs, has declared it is abstaining. The AAP with three members has not clarified its stand so for. However, both parties are unlikely to support the BJP-backed candidate. There are other imponderables with several smaller parties not declaring their intention.
Parliament Monsoon Session updates: Lok Sabha passes bill to allow proxy voting for NRIs; RS adjourned for today
Piyush Goyal said that the capacity to slash the GST rates on more items would go up as Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenues and the compliance rate increases and the economy formalises.
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TDP MP demands Centre intervention in view of several kidney ailment cases in Uddanam
During the Zero Hour, TDP MP Ram Mohan Naidu raised the issue of kidney ailment cases in Uddanam in Andhra Pradesh. “Previously, Uddanam was known for its lush green vegetation and coconut plantation. But it now has the highest number of kidney patients in one corner of the area. In the last 10 years, there have been deaths of 8,300 people. It’s not even sparing the rich; two MLAs have also died.”
He urged the Centre to intervene in the issue. “Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) should set up a special medical facility in the area. This time, they have to provide adequate funds for the facility. Central government should integrate kidney patients in Ayushman Bharat,” he said.
E-voting may not be totally safe, says Ravi Shankar Prasad on suggestion of remote digital voting for NRIs
Replying to a member’s suggestion that e-voting or digital voting may be facilitated for Indians staying abroad, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “E-voting may not be completely secure. We need further technology to ensure e-voting is safe. Plus there are problems in ensuring the secrecy of the vote, since it will be highlighted online.”
Why do we mistrust NRIs to cast vote, says Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad
In his reply to the discussion on the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad objected to comments of MPs who suggested that NRI votes could be influenced or bought.
He said, “When the Constitution of India put so much faith in the people of India, why are we doubting the NRIs. I’m very proud to say that all NRIs have reached abroad due to their hard work. NRIs has earned millions, but yet, their passport is Indian. Proxy is not a dirty word in Company Law and many other places. All the concerns which has been raised by many members can be fixed with rules.”
Smaller parties won’t get level-playing field to influence NRIs under Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2017
AAP’s Patiala MP Dharam Vira Gandhi said that by ensuring that over 1 million people living abroad could vote through a proxy, we may end up denying a level-playing field to smaller parties. He said that the small regional parties may not hold the means to reach those members and convince them to gain their vote, whereas national parties can. This may inadvertently help the big parties gain votes.
Lok Sabha passed following four GST-related bills
- Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2018
- The Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2018
- The Union Territory Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2018
- The Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to states) Amendment Bill, 2018
Amendment to People’s representative Act good for country**,** says Ravi Shankar Prasad
Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “My initial observation is that all migrant workers who have registered in the voters list, have the rights to get registered in the area where they’re working. Those NRIs who will be allowed are those who have their names in the voters list. They will authorise the confirmed proxy to vote. This is good for the country.”
‘How can NRIs be sure that proxies will vote according to their wishes?’
Several Lok Sabha members mentioned that foolproofing the mechanism for proxy voting will remain a concern. MPs, including Mamtaz Sanghamita, said that even family members may have different political leanings and biases. Then how can an NRI be sure that the proxy will caste the vote according to his or her wishes?
LS debates the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2017
The Bill seeks to amend the Representation of People Act, 1950 and the Representation of People Act, 1951 to allow for proxy voting for NRI voters and to make certain provisions of the Acts gender-neutral.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said that he feels sorry about the commotion in the House as nothing will be going on the record. “I wanted to run the House properly but this is how you behave. None of this sloganeering will go on record and only what the Members said and the voting will be recorded,” Naidu said before adjourning the House for today.
Piyush Goyal says GST on more goods may be slashed if revenue increases
Finance Minister Piyush Goyal said the capacity to slash the GST rates on more items would go up as Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenues and the compliance rate increases and the economy formalises.
The Minister said the “GST Council has reduced rates on many items and services in the last round. We want the consumer to be burdened less by indirect tax.” Elaborating, Goyal said that in the last one year, the GST Council has reduced rates on 384 items and 68 services. “186 items and 99 services were exempted from GST. Also sanitary pads were exempted from the GST,” he said.
Rajya Sabha debates The Homeopathy Central Council Amendment Bill, 2018
The government first introduced the amendment Bill in My 2018. The act establishes the Homoeopathy Central Council to regulate and enforce standards with regard to homoeopathy colleges and homoeopathy practitioners. The Bill seeks to disallow admissions in homeopathy medical colleges which do not conform to the prescribed educational standards.
Ravi Shankar Prasad urges Sonia Gandhi, Congress to support Triple Talaq Bill
Introducing amendments to the Triple Talaq legislation, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad urged Congress Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and her party for supporting the Bill. He said that the three proposed changes take care that deterrence is a part of the legislation, while it also offers opportunity for the couple to negotiate and overcome their differences.
Rajya Sabha passes National Sports University, 2018 Bill
The Rajya Sabha has passed the National Sports University Bill 2018 despite the sloganeering by some Opposition members in Well.
Cabinet approves amendments in Triple Talaq bill
The Union Cabinet has approved amendments in the law relating to Triple Talaq. Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “We’ve proposed three changes. If any husband gives instant Triple Talaq and breaks marriage then FIR shall only become cognizable when it is filed by victim or blood relation or relation by marriage. It has been made compoundable, if the wife and the husband desire to settle their differences then the magistrate can compound the offence on appropriate terms and conditions. Magistrate can also grant bail after hearing the wife.”
GST reduced AP to a consuming state from a producing state, says TDP MP Jayadev Galla
Galla said that the introduction of the GST into a consuming state from a producing state. “Andhra Pradesh has been a performing state, and it can be a performing state again but we are in a financial mess which was created by this Parliament while dividing the states,” Galla said.
He said that it was ridiculous that the Centre will compensate only for five years when Andhra Pradesh is also facing low revenue generation due to the unscientific division.
In Lok Sabha, TDP MP Jayadev Galla demands special status benefits for AP
During a debate on The Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2018 and The Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2018, Galla said, “Do not think that the people of Andhra Pradesh are political or legislative illiterates,” Galla said as he warned the government that the people will show their anger at the time of elections.
He pointed out that in introducing the GST, the funds given to Andhra Pradesh were nothing special but what was promised and given to all other states. “You are manoeuvring like Snowboarders to avoid the issue. Please don’t cheat us,” Galla said.
MC Mary Kom rises to support National Sports University Bill, 2018 in Rajya Sabha
Nominated member in the Rajya Sabha, and prominent sportswoman MC Mary Kom made a speech in support of the National Sports Univerity Bill. Her speech was drowned out by the constant sloganeering by Opposition members.
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu objected to this and urged the members to at least respect the views of a woman member, who is also a sportswoman and from the North East India, where the new University is going to be built. He reminded the members that the slogannering and protests would be expunged from the records. However, the disturbance continued in the House.
House debates National Sports University Bill amid din
The mention of Rafale deal leads to slogan shouting from the Opposition benches in the House. The sloganeering and disturbance was so loud that it drowned out the voice of MoS Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Rathore, who rose to introduce the National Sports University Bill 2018 for consideration and passing.
Slogans raised in Rajya Sabha over Rafale deal
As soon as the SC/ST Preventio of Atrocities Bill was passed, Congress leader Anand Sharma rose up to say that a JPC should be constituted on the Rafale deal, following which Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said, “We will see.”
Sitaram Yechury seeks Ordinance for SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities act if House fails to pass it
CPM leader Sitaram Yechury has said that the government must bring an Ordinance to introduce the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, which overturns a Supreme Court judgment on the issue. Yechury, who often criticises the government to take the Ordinance route, said that the government belatedly introduced the legislation because of which it may not be passed in the House as tomorrow is the last day of the Monsoon Session.
Bill to set up DNA banks to store profiles introduced in LS
A bill that seeks to set up DNA databanks across India to store profiles and proposes jail term for those who leak the information stored in such facilities was introduced in the Lok Sabha today.
It also states that all DNA data, including DNA profiles, DNA samples and records, will only be used for identification of the person and not for any other purpose. The bill, based on the one prepared by the Law Commission recently, says that national and regional DNA data banks will be set up for maintaining a national database for identification of suspects in cases, undertrials, victims, missing persons and unidentified human remains.
According to it, those leaking the DNA profile information to people or entities who are not entitled to have it, will be punished with a jail term of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs one lakh. Similar, punishment has also been provided for those who seek the information on DNA profiles illegally.
PTI
Ensure provisions to rule out misuse of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, says Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut
Raut said that the government initially supported the Supreme Court’s ruling, however, it changed its stance later because of political restraints. He asked the government to ensure that their are strong provisions within the law to rule out a chance of it being misused.
Meanwhile in Rajya Sabha, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut speaks about misuse of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act
Shiv Sena member Sanjay Raut rose in support of the Bill. He, however, raised some questions about the possibility of misuse of the powerful legislation to settle personal scores. Referring to the Supreme Court ruling, Raut said that the courts function on the principle that no innocent person must never suffer under any law.
LS: Congress’ Mallikarjun Kharge raises serious allegations on Rafale deal amid ruckus
Congress party leader Mallikarjun Kharge made is speech amid loud ruckus from the Treasury benches. Speaking on the Rafale deal, Kharge said that developments preceding the prime minister’s France visit indicated that even the defence secretary had no clue about the fact that Narendra Modi is going to announce the deal.
“Who authorised the prime minister to go ahead with the Rafale deal without consulting the Cabinet, without keeping in loop the Defence secretary, without making submissions with the CIC,” Kharge asked.
Cabinet approves amendment to the Triple Talq Bill, magistrate can now grant bail
Cabinet has approved amendment in the Triple Talaq Bill. Although the offence continues to remain non-bailable but a magistrate can give bail, ANI reported.
AIADMK MP raises issue of Dalit exploitation, women opression in Rajya Sabha
AIADMK’ Vijila Satyananth spoke about honour killing, cow vigilantism and atrocities against Dalits and women.
Opposition creates ruckus in Lok Sabha, asks to expunge Piyush Goyal’s speech
As Union Minister Piyush Goyal introduced the Bills to amend the GST (Compensation to States), the IGST and the CGST laws for consideration and passing, the Opposition raised objections to his speech and asked for it to be expunged.
Piyush Goyal introduced Bills to amend GST, IGST, CGST in Lok Sabha
As the Lok Sabha was reconvened and Union Minister Piyush Goyal introduced the Bills to amend the GST (Compensation to States), the IGST and the CGST laws for consideration and passing.
INC’s Kumari Sailja says there is crime against Dalits every 15 minutes, as Rajya Sabha discusses SC/ST Act Amendment Bill
After Thaawar Chand Gehlot rose to introduce The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2018 for consideration and passing, Kumari Selja of the Congress said that every 15 minutes there is a crime against Dalits.
Opposition created uproar in Lok Sabha over Rafale Deal
Congress members on Thursday created uproarious scenes in the Lok Sabha demanding a probe into the Rafale fighter aircraft deal by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, forcing an adjournment of the proceedings. The Congress members raised the issue as soon as the Zero Hour began with their leader Mallikarjun Kharge seeking the Speaker’s permission to speak on the alleged scam.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2:43 pm
The Chairman Venakaiah Naidu adjourned the House for 10 minutes as Opposition continued to protest.
Lok Sabha adjourned due to Opposition’s protest over Rafale Deal
Meanwhile, in Lok Sabha as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan continued with normal proceedings, the Opposition members stormed into the Well of the House carrying placards and raised slogans against Rafale Deal forcing the Speaker adjourned the House first for 20 minutes till 1 pm. However, when the House met again, the protests continued and thus it was again till 2 pm.
Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings, discussion being held on SC/ST Act
Members of the House are holding a discussion on amendments to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The government had bought in a bill to restore the original provisions of the Act which was first passed by the Cabinet and later the Lok Sabha.