Parliament Monsoon Session updates: LS passes Bill for constitutional status to National Commission for Backward Classes

Lok Sabha adopts alternative amendments brought in by the government instead of amendment from Rajya Sabha

Thawar Chand Gehlot says it won’t be compulsory for a state to follow NCBC’s recommendations specifically for it 

The National Commission of Backward Classes’s recommendation related to the specific states will not be binding on the state, Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot. His assurance came after a BJD member asked for clarification on whether states which have their own list of backward classes will have to follow the provisions.

Thawar Chand Gehlot takes dig at Congress as Lok Sabha ends discussion on The Constition Bill

Lok Sabha extended proceedings till The Constitution Bill up is taken for voting. In his concluding response, Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said the Modi government is for the poor and the backward. Kharge protested as the Union minister extended his response. Gehlot said, “Sir, don’t do this to us. Your party was in governance for 10 years, but it did not do anything. At least let us do something.”

Deve Gowda said reservation for backward classes shouldn’t go beyond 50%

JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda said,“While accepting this amendment bill, I heard what other MPs had to say. Can we be able to provide reservation exceeding 50 percent to provide reservation to all communities which are excluded? We should not go beyond 50 percent. Other states did not take into consideration the Supreme Court judgment,” he said. 

He said that Karnataka s providing reservation to Muslims and nomadic tribes within the fifty percent ambit and hoped the commission it doesn’t dilute these initiatives in the state.

Ram Vilas Paswan hits out at Congress 

In Lok Sabha, Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan lashed out at the Opposition Congress for criticising the Centre on the Bill. “In the morning, Malliakarjun Kharge was agitated. But there was so much debate on SC/ST Act earlier, but why did Congress president Rahul Gandhi not speak a work on it during the debate on no-confidence motion?

“Opposition used to criticise Modi, but this matter exposes them,” he said.

Ram Vilas Paswan praises Modi govt for bringing Bill to empower NCBC

Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan praised the Modi government’s efforts to empower the National Commission of Backward Classes. “Initially, the Mandal Commission included backward classes which are commonly considered in all states. After the commission gave its recommendations, people approached the Supreme Court. The commission then became toothless because it had no authority. Now, the Modi government has taken efforts to bring in legislation. There are extremely backward classes which have no represention. Even they were included in the list,” he said.

SAD, BJP praise Narendra Modi for “historic” amendment to Constitutional Bill

RJD MP Jayaprakash Narayan Yadav said that while several commissions were set up to look into reservations, it was the National Front government that actually granted the reservation. He asked why the rest of the country cannot increase the reservation limit, like  Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Prem Singh Chandumajra (SAD) praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing the “historic” bill. BJP MP Rajesh Varma claimed the Bill should have been brought in 2012, when the Supreme Court recommended a commission on similar lines. He also pointed out that the creamy layer threshold has been increased to Rs 8 lakh. He lashed out at the Opposition for disrupting proceedings and not letting the Bill pass in the previous Session. “Crores of people from backward classes are still waiting for justice. These people are waiting for the Lok Sabha to pass the Bill,” he said.

SP MP slams BJP, Congress over Mandal Commission

Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav criticised the BJP for taking credit for the Mandal Commission. He said, “Only four people in the Modi Cabinet are from OBC. How many chief ministers and governors are from SC/ST? Class III and IV jobs in government sector that are being outsourced, why is there no reservation for these jobs?”

He said that the Congress also cannot take credit for the commission because they, too, hadn’t given prominent positions to those from the backward classes during their rule.

BJP leader says interests of ​backward were never considered
BJP MP Prahlad Singh Patel said that he would like to mention that he belonged to Lodhi caste before beginning his speech. Speaking on “I was the youngest in the Assembly when Mandal Commission was introduced. During an interview with Doordarshan, I had then said that I am not backward but my caste is. That time there was no recognition  of creamy layer,” he said.

“The interests of the backward was never considered; they were only used to do politics. You made the commission, but was it implemented?,” he asked.

BJP MP demand constitutional status for backward class commission

Lok Sabha is discussing The Consitution (One Hundred and Twenty Third Amendment) Bill, 2017. BJP’s Nityanand Rai demanded constitutional status for the backward class commission. “If the backward class commission is given constitutional status, the provisions of the reservation (for backward class) will be effectively implemented,” he said.

YSRCP leader K Geetha demanded that the Centre make state government’s role clear on the inclusion of specific castes in the OBC list. She supported Bill.

CPM MP says states should have more say in deciding OBC list

In the Lok Sabha, CPM leader  P Karunakaran said that the provision of 27 percent reservation for OBCs is not being implemented fully. “States should have more say in deciding the OBC list,” he said.

 Savitri and Jyotiba Phule must be conferred with Bharat Ratna, says TRS leader

Gowd enlists the benefits given to OBCs in Telangana and suggests Savitri and Jyotiba Phule must be conferred with Bharat Ratna.

The Constitution Bill is victory of 25 years of struggle, says TRS leader

TRS leader BN Gowd says this Bill is the victory for 25 years of struggle. He recalls how the reservation policy was finally approved by the VP Singh government. reservation has a psychological effect. If I become an MP, my people get confidence, he adds. As he speaks, sloganeering continues in Lok Sabha. 

Blaming the Congress rule, the Congress “hugged” and “made eye contact” with the OBC. They would know our pains, he says. All parties must do self-introspection, he says.

Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant says only 12 percent of OBC got jobs

Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant says only 12 percent of OBC got jobs even though they comprise 40 percent. Quoting a report, Sawant says it is due to low enrollment in education. The commission has been granted judiciary powers but the Bill is unsure if a person with judiciary knowledge be made the members. He lauds Tamil Nadu’s 69 per cent reservation. We must learn from them, he says.

Thaawarchand Gehlot moves The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-third Amendment) Bill, 2017

In Lok Sabha, Union minister Thaawarchand Gehlot moves The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-third Amendment) Bill, 2017. The Bill amends the Constitution to create a National Commission for Backward Classes.This Bill was originally passed by Lok Sabha on 10 April, 2017 and transmitted to Rajya Sabha for their concurrence. Rajya Sabha passed the Bill with an amendment at its sitting held on the 31 July, 2017 and returned it to Lok Sabha on 1 August, 2017.

Rajya Sabha adjourned following ruckus over discussing NRC draft

Rajya Sabha is adjourned after Opposition storms Well over farmers’ plight. “Ruckus in the House has become a fashion everyday,” says an angry Chairman after commotion breaks out over the absence of home minister. Trinamool members also want home minister’s reply on the NRC issue. Venkaiah Naidu says when Rajnath Singh was there, no one had allowed him to speak.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar urges Opposition to support Constitution Bill

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar urges the Opposition to support the Constitution Bill which seeks to grant constitutional status to OBC Commission.

Meanwhile, Congress protests against NRC Assam in Kolkata

TMC MP Saugata Roy raises the NRC issue again 

TMC MP Saugata Roy raises the NRC issue again and says the Mathuvas are blocking rails since their names are excluded in the draft NRC. Anbumani Ramadoss of PMK says the purpose of NEET was to decommercialise medical education and to produce quality doctors. But today a student who has scored negative marks in physics and chemistry is studying medicine. A student who got 13.3 percent marks gets into medicine. How do you bring quality doctors like this, he asks.

‘Is caste discrimination behind IIT suicides,’ asks Vijila Sathyananth of AIADMK

On the issue of why there is a fall in the number of students who passed the IIT-JEE? Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar says a new cut-off was calculated so that reserved seats are filled-up. We have also increased the seats by 1000 this year, he adds. AIADMK member asks, “What are the steps being taken to enroll more SC/ST students in IIT” Prakash Javadekar says only over 100 seats are not filled and it is unfortunate that many people are not opting for agricultural engineering.

When Vijila Sathyananth (AIADMK) asks about suicides in IITs and whether caste discrimination is a reason for such suicides, Javadekar says there is another discrimination in IITS, gender. He says, “Due to super numeric quota 840 girls made it to engineering in IIT.”

Congress’s Mallikarjun Kharge demands SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities ordinance be brought soon

 Congress’s Mallikarjun Kharge demands SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities ordinance be brought soon in Lok Sabha. Union Minister Rajnath Singh responds, “The govt has already approved the bill yesterday. We want to pass it in this session of parliament.” You bring ordinances for every small issue, why didn’t you bring an ordinance for this issue, Kharge asks.

Rajnath Singh tells Lok Sabha that SC/ST changes were approved

Rajnath Singh speaks on SC/ST issue, says provisions were approved.

TMC MP Saugata Roy says adjournment motion was given on NRC issue

TMC MP Saugata Roy talks about NRC issue and how 40 lakh people are rendered homeless, they have again issued an adjournment issue today. He even says home minister should go to Assam again.

Mallikarjun Kharge brings up SC/ST BIll, says govt has not done anything to n nullify SC order

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Mallikharjun Kharge raises the issue of dilution of SC/ST Act. The government has not done anything to nullify the Supreme Court order, he claims. You bring ordinances for every small issue, why didn’t you bring an ordinance for this issue, he asks.

CPM MP brings up issue of journalist killing 

In Rajya Sabha, CPM MP Jharna Das Baidya brings up the issue of killing of journalists in recent times. She alleges the press freedom is curbed in her state. Journalists have to be allowed to do their work freely, adds Derek O’Brien. A JD(U) member mentioned a newspaper report saying an erstwhile jawan is washing dishes to make his living. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says all his dues have been paid. The Chair requests members to be liberal in helping such jawans.

Pratap Singh Bajwa brings up issue of student migration from Punjab

Pratap Singh Bajwa says over 2.5 lakh students from Punjab leave the State and country for higher education and employment. He claims something is wrong in this country as the brain drain affects the country. The allocation for higher education must be increased and more employment opportunities must be created.

Around 4,000 women are recruited as seafarers: Nitin Gadkari

In Lok Sabha, AIADMK MP asks, “what steps are being taken to add more women seafarers,” to which transport minister Nitin Gadkari says over one lakh Indian seafarers are working. The government will consider the member’s suggestion, he says. Around 4,000 women are recruited as seafarers, says the minister.

Meanwhile, Assam governor says draft of NRC is historical for Assamese people, done as per wishes of Assam accord

Meanwhile, Assam governor Jagdish Mukhi said, “Central govt has right to know about the foreigners staying in the state or country. It will be better if every state has NRC prepared, they should not only prepare NRC rather they should update it with every census, this will ensure full proof security in the country.”

Rajnath Singh to introduce Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018 in Rajya Sabha

In Rajya Sabha, home minister Rajnath Singh will introduce the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018, to amend the Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, as it was passed by the Lok Sabha. Other Bills to be taken up are the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2018 and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2018, which will be moved by Piyush Goyal and Prakash Javadekar, respectively. These two were also passed by the Lower House.

JP Nadda will move the National Medical Commission Bill, 2017

JP Nadda will move the National Medical Commission Bill, 2017 to ensure availability of adequate and high-quality medical professionals; that encourages medical professionals to adopt latest medical research in their work and to contribute to research; that has an objective periodic assessment of medical institutions and facilitates maintenance of a medical register for India and enforces high ethical standards in all aspects of medical services; that is flexible to adapt to changing needs and has an effective grievance redressal mechanism and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, be taken into consideration.

We will keep fighting until justice is given to Andhra Pradesh: TDP MP Jayadev Galla

TDP MP Jayadev Galla says, “We will keep fighting until justice is given to Andhra Pradesh.”

Both Houses convene, Naidu congratulates Ghulam Nabi Azad and Nejma Heptullah

Rajya Sabha Chairperson M Venkaiah Naidu lauds Ghulam Nabi Azad and Nejma Heptullah for winning the Best Parliamentarian Awards. Azad is the Leader of the Opposition, while Heptullah was a former member of the House. In Lok Sabha, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan reads obituary reference and moves over to Question Hour.

Sushma has prostrated herself in front of Chinese power, says Rahul Gandhi

In response to Sushma Swaraj’s Dokalam statement on Wednesday, rahul Gandhi says “Sushma has prostrated herself in front of Chinese power”

TDP MPs protest in Parliament over the demand of special status for Andhra Pradesh

TDP MPs protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament over the demand of special status for Andhra Pradesh. TDP MP Naramalli Sivaprasad has dressed up as a magician on Thursday. He has earlier dressed up as a woman, a washerman and a school boy among others.

Rajya Sabha to discuss recent increase in MSPs for Kharif crops

The other Bills to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha are Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (2nd Amnd) Bill, RTE (2nd Amnd) Bill. Rajya Sabha will discuss the recent increase in MSPs for Kharif crops.

Opposition writes to Venkaiah Naidu expressing unhappiness over how they aren’t allowed to speak in House

Opposition parties like Samajwadi Party, Congress and TMC are drafting a letter to M Venkaiah Naidu, expressing unhappiness over the way they are not being allowed to speak in the House.

Rajya Sabha has listed 6 Bills for discussion today:

Lok Sabha 120 percent productive, Rajya Sabha 70 percent productive

Halfway through the Monsoon Session Rajya Sabha has lost some time due to disruptions in terms of productivity while Lok Sabha has managed to get some work done. The productivity of Lok Sabha stands at 120 percent whereas Rajya Sabha stands at 70 percent, PRS legislative said.