Parliament updates: Lok Sabha passes UAPA Amendment Bill as Sonia Gandhi walksout; Rajya Sabha unanimously passes POCSO Amendment Bill

What is POCSO Amendment bill?

An intense debate on the POCSO Amendment Bill follows in the Rajya Sabha. Opposition stresses on introducing POCSO courts in cities, along with district courts. 

• The bill increases the minimum punsihment for 'penetrative sexual assault' from seven years to ten years, adding that if a person commits penetrative sexual assault on a child below the age of 16 years, he will be punishable with imprisonment between 20 years to life, with a fine.
• Adding two more grounds to the defintion of 'aggravated penetrative sexual assault', the bill includes, assault resulting in death of child, and assault committed during a natural calamity, or in any similar situations of violence. The bill also increases minimum punishment from ten years to 20 years, and the maximum punishment to death penalty.
• The bill further adds wo more offences to the definition of aggravated sexual assault. These include — assault committed during a natural calamity, and administrating or help in administering any hormone or any chemical substance, to a child for the purpose of attaining early sexual maturity.
• The bill defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child including photograph, video, digital or computer generated image indistinguishable from an actual child and enhances the punishment for certain offences.

We should applaud Derek O'Brien: Smriti Irani

At least twenty-eight MLAs have spoken on the POCSO Amendment bill in Rajya Sabha. Smriti Irani addresses the Rajya Sabha. Recounting Derek O'Brien's abuse that he faced during his teens, Irani stresses how such incidents leave an imprint on mind. "After 46 years of the incdient, Derek revealed to the world what happened to him. We should applaud this," Irani says. 

Courts must maintain a child-friendly atmosphere: NCP's Vandana Chavan tells Rajya Sabha 

NCP's Vandana Chavan said that session courts are given the status of the special courts. Because of the same, such courts continue with their day-to-day work and only once in a while undertake cases that come under the POCSO Act. Hence, courts only dedicated to cases under the Act must come into being, she says.

She says that such courts must maintain a child-friendly atmosphere. At present, even the questions asked to the child are not child-friendly and instead tend to add to the trauma, she says. Chavan also said that the government must take strict action to ensure that the identity of the child is protected. Moreover, the government must also look into the question of rehabilitation.

Rajya Sabha: NCP questions Smriti Irani over extremely low conviction rates under POCSO Act 

NCP member in Rajya Sabha Vandana Chavan says conviction rates under the POCSO Act are extremely low. On the other hand, the pendency or the waiting period for a settlement is extremely high, she says. Although there is a clause in the Act that enables the constitution of special courts to deal with such cases and that such cases have to completed within a period of one year, pendency rates are high.

Rajya Sabha discusses POCSO

Mere legislation is not enough, govt should ensure it's implemented: TDP

TDP's Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar says mere legislation is not effective in such cases. The government should make sure it is implemented as well. He says sexual offences against children should be made the rarest of rare cases. In the cases of the possession of pornography, minimum punishment should be meted out instead of just a mere fine.

Kumar said a number offences against children go unreported. Moreover, thousands of cases are registered but no chargesheet is made by the police, he says. In the absence of a chargesheet, the courts cannot proceed. The government should ensure that the chargesheet is created by the respective police station when such cases come up. He also says special courts or fast-track court should be implemented under the POCSO Act. Apart from the investigation and the court proceedings that take place, the government must also concern itself with the rehabilitation of the victim, he says.

When a girl child is raped and murdered, it should be considered a case of double murder: PDP in Rajya Sabha

As the discussion and consideration of the the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019 continues in Rajya Sabha, PDP's Nazir Ahmed Laway says when the girl child is raped and murdered, it should be considered a case of double murder because not only the child, but her family and the nation is also murdered. Hence, the strictest punishment should be meted out to the perpetrator of such offences. Laway says he is standing here for all the mothers of the nation. 

Punishment for offences for using child for pornographic purposes

Derek O'Brien gives own example while discussion POCSO in Rajya Sabha

Urging people to speak out about sexual assault and harassment, Congress leader Derek O'Brien recited an incident when as a 13-year-old he was "sexually molested". He says it took him many years to tell others about the experience. He urged Members of Parliament, including actors, to speak about incidents of sexual assault or harassment. "The more people will talk about it, the more children will be safe," Derek said. 

Congress says the Amendment talks about punishment instead of focusing on the children. Let the court decide on the punishments.

Discussion on POCSO Amendment bill underway in Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha discusses the POCSO Amendment Bill. Members suggested stringent punishment for child sexual abuse and formation of committees. 

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in Rajya Sabha by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Irani on 18 July, 2019. The Bill amends the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.  The Act seeks to protect children from offences such as sexual assault, sexual harassment, and pornography.

Ban on unregulated deposits — What does it mean

The Unregulated Deposit Scheme Bill, 2019 will help put a check on illicit deposit-taking activities that decieve poor and the financially illiterate of their hard earned savings. It will replace the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Ordinance, 2019.

The ban on unregulated deposits and its promotion is expected to put a closure to this illicit activity. The Banning of Unregulated Deposit Scheme Ordinance has provisions which ban deposit takers from promoting, operating, issuing advertisements or accepting deposits in any unregulated deposit scheme. Many depositors have been taken for a ride by illicit entities running such scheme and duping people. An outright ban empowers the government to take action against such entities, while it strengthens the case of regulated banking activities.

Lok Sabha passes UAPA Amendment Bill

Investigation by NIA

Under the Act, investigation of cases may be conducted by officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police or above.  The Bill additionally empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases.

Who may commit terrorism under UAPA

UAPA Amendment Bill introduced by Amit Shah on 8 July

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha by Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah on 8 July, 2019. The Bill amends the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.  The Act provides special procedures to deal with terrorist activities, among other things.

Lok Sabha passes UAPA Amendment Bill

Opposition asks for division as the Bill is put to vote. Only 8 Members have voted against the Bill. Clause-by-clause voting is taken up. The Bill is passed. House is adjourned till 4.15 pm.

There's need for provision to declare terrorist: Amit Shah on UAPA Bill

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stressed on the need for a provision to declare an individual as a terrorist. "There's a need for a provision to declare an individual as a terrorist, UN has a procedure for it, US has it, Pakistan has it, China has it, Israel has it, European Union has it, everyone has done it," Shah said. 

Whenever anti-terror laws are diluted terror strikes increase: BJP in Lok Sabha

BJP's Satya Pal Singh said that terrorists are not usual criminals. "It is difficult to investigate them. Many ask what is the need for this law? Why do you need laws for POCSO or traffic violation? That's because the magnitude of crimes decide the punishment," he said. 

Singh claimed whenever anti-terror laws are diluted terror strikes increase.

Karti Chidambaram of Congress on UAPA Bill

Karti Chidambaram tells Lok Sabha: "We can't give up individual rights. Many of us in this House started our life as activists. The right to dissent must be protected."

Sonia, Tharoor and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury walkout of Lok Sabha

The Opposition members, including Congress leader of the Floor Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, staged a walkout in Lok Sabha. After Home Minister Amit Shah slammed the Opposition and said that terrorism needs a strong law to stop it. He says that UPA-era laws were also similar. He says that those who finance, help terrorists should also be called terrorists. Members of the House should not disagree with this, he remarks. He says Yasin Bhatkal would have been arrested sooner, if he had been designated as a terrorist.

Those who are involved in urban Maoism will not be spared, he says in response to Supriya Sule's point about the arrest of activists under the UAPA. Shah also mocked Chowdhury, asking him to be patient when Members are making a point. "Aapka naam sahi hai - Adhir," Shah quipped. Chowdhury demanded that the Bill should be sent to a Standing Committee.

Lok Sabha | 'Activists who help terrorists, should be labelled as terrorists or not?' Amit Shah asks House

Amit Shah defended the UAPA Amendment bill in the Lower House and said that all those who indulge in terrorist activities, should be labelled as a terrorist. "A terrorist has violence in their mentality, it's not about how many terrorist organisations are banned. Terrorists have to be stopped to stop terrorism in the world," Shah said.

Asaduddin Owaisi blames Congress for making laws like UAPA, BJP backs AIMIM leader 

AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi launched a scathing attacking on the BJP-led ruling government and said that the UAPA Bill violates Article 21. It takes over the judicial rights. "Are you outsourcing your nationalism to some international convention?"

Owaisi blamed Congress for making such laws. "Let a Congress leader be arrested in this law, only then they will know." Congress objected to the claim and Owaisi, in a rare occurrence, received support from BJP members.

UAPA Bill allows individuals to be designated as terrorists without due process: Mahua Moitra 

Moitra further added: "The UAPA bill seeks to do two things: In Clause 5, Section 25, National Investigation Agency (NIA) can go into any state and search the properties of any individual without the permission of the state Police which questions the federal structure of the country. In Clause 5, Section 35, the amendment to the bill allows for individuals to be designated as terrorists without due process. This bill is anti-federalism, anti-constitutional and anti-people. So I urge the Home Minister to withdraw the bill."

Lok Sabha: UAPA is anti-federalism, anti-constitutional and anti-people, says Mahua Moitra

Arjun Ram Meghwal says that the ruling party has never called anyone "anti-national". Moitra said her statement was against propaganda machinery and not a single member.

Moitra said this Bill seeks to designate individuals as terrorists without due process. The Treasury Benches heckled her as she spoke and asked the Chair to maintain order in the House. She said that the Bill also takes away the powers of the State. She calls the Bill anti-federalism, anti-constitutional and anti-people.

UAPA Bill taken up by Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha took up The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 for consideration and passing. Vinayak Raut of the Shiv Sena says that for the first time when a Home Minister (Amit Shah) visited Jammu and Kashmir, there was no opposition. This is the first time the Amarnath yatra has happened without any incideent, he added. 

Amit Shah replies to a question on witness protection in Muzzaffarnagar riots incident

Mos Home Affairs Kishan Reddy while answering a question on mob lynching said that lynching takes place in West Bengal and Kerala too and the government takes them up on a case-by-case basis.

Meanwhile, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha asked about communal riots in Muzzaffarnagar and that 40 accused have been acquitted. he questioned what is being done for witness protection. To this, Home Minister Amit Shah replied saying that the minister will respond when he has the information on the specified time period. He said that the question was on the Muzzaffarnagar incident which doesn't fall in the three-year ambit on which the question was raised.

Lower House takes up The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019

Lok Sabha takes up The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 for consideration and passing. Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Raut said that for the first time a Home Minister (Amit Shah) visited Jammu and Kashmir and there was no opposition. "This is the first time the Amarnath Yatra has happened without any incident," he said.

'We want to hear from the horse's mouth,' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asks PM to respond

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked Narendra Modi to come to the House and respond to the Opposition's queries regarding the controversy surrounding the US President's comments on the Kashmir issue.

"We do not know what US President Donald Trump and Narendra Modi talk during the G20 Osaka summit? Today the prime minister was supposed to be present here but he is not here. In 1971, after the war, we had settled some terms and then during the Shimla Agreement, it was said that India and Pakistan can discuss it bilaterally," he said. "We want to learn the fact from the horse's mouth, i.e. Modi's mouth whether Donald Trump lied or not."

Kashmir issue wasn't discussed at all during Modi-Trump meeting: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has already told the House that the Kashmir issue was not discussed in the meeting of US President Donald Trump and PM Narendra Modi. There is no question of mediation in the Kashmir issue as it will be against the Shimla agreement. Rajnath said that he is ready to respond if the members are willing to complete the debate. 

Congress walks out of Lok Sabha

Opposition MPs, led by the Congress, staged a walk-out insisting Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarifies on the controversial claim of Donald Trump that the Indian prime minister had asked the US President to act as a mediator in the Kashmir issue. Before leaving the House, Leader of Opposition Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury questioned the PM's silence over the issue. Leader of DMK Parliamentary Party TR Baloo supported Congress' demand seeking clarification from Modi on Trump's gaffe.

'We have to empower the poor', need to uphold Ambedkar's values, says D Raja in farewell address

In his farewell speech in Rajya Sabha as a Member of Parliament, DMK leader D Raja said: "We consider the parliament is the supreme institution in our democracy. I wish the parliament remains as how it was visualised by Ambedkar and other reformers. We, the people should be our understanding. In a country like ours, very diverse. People must be safeguarded. Politically marginalised people must be treated as human beings. Citizens don't need empathy or sympathy. They need to have their human rights and democratic rights."

Raja also spoke on the women's reservation bill and the issue of women empowerment and took up the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils. After his address, the Chair remarked: "Raja has only retired, he is not tired."

Our govt is committed to ensuring welfare and safety of Indians working abroad: EAM S Jaishankar

Answering a question raised during Question Hour in Lok Sabha on how the Ministry of External Affairs is monitoring the issues faced by people living abroad, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, "There is an e-migrate mother platform which looks after the welfare of labourers and tracks difficulties of the people living abroad. I can tell you there is enormous help given for monitoring people who are facing difficulties living outside the country and the positive approach of our government ensures this."

AIADMK Dr V Maitreyan breaks down during his farewell speech in Rajya Sabha

In his farewell address to the House, Dr Maithreyan said, "After a long stint of 14 and half years. This is my sunset years." Turning emotional, Dr Maithreyan remembers late Jayalalalithaa and Arun Jaitley and wishes him a speedy recovery. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also thanked the Chairperson, Leader of Opposition, AIADMK leader, Jairam Ramesh, Ram Gopal Yadav, Naresh Agrawal, CM Ramesh, TK Rangarajan, and others. He recalled the times of Anna and Jayalalithaa. "It is my turn to look at Tamil Nadu from India's prism," Dr Maithreyan said in his last speech.

Rajya Sabha bids farewell to five MPs

As the Upper House assembled, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu lauded six members from Tamil Nadu, who are retiring today. "The House will miss their vivacious, aggressive and progressive action," the Chair said. The members retiring today are: D Raja, KR Arjunan, Dr R Lakshmanan,  T Rathnavel, and Dr Maithreyan. 

Dr Maithreyan said the only thorn in his heart was that this House didn't take notice of the Tamil genocide in Sri Lanka. Whereas, Raja recalled the contribution of Communist MPs. "Parliament is the highest forum to take up the consideration of people. I am only retiring from this House. I will continue my work for the people," he said in his last speech in the House.

Ruckus in Lok Sabha over Donald Trump's Kashmir statement

There is a ruckus in Lok Sabha as Opposition MPs continue to protest in the Lower Huse seeking a reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on the statement of US President Donald Trump on Kashmir.

Uproar in Lok Sabha over PM's silence on Trump statement

As the Lok Sabha convened, Leader of Congress Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "keeping quiet" about the entire controversy over Donald Trump's claim that the prime minister had proposed US mediation in the Kashmir matter.

Nirmala Sitharaman to introduce two bills today

The Appropriation (No 2) Bill, 2019 and the Finance (No 2) Bill, 2019 — cleared by Lok Sabha last week — were returned by the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday after a voice vote. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be introducing the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Upper House and Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha.

BJP gives Zero House Notice in RS in over Bihar floods

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Gopal Narayan Singh has given Zero Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over "severe drought in south Bihar and heavy floods in north Bihar". 

Shiv Sena gives Zero Hour Notice in RS over 'delay in production of Vande Bharat Express'

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut gave Zero Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over "delay in production of Vande Bharat Express". 

PDP MP gives Zero Hour Notice in RS over troubles of J&K migrants

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MP Nazir Ahmad Laway has given Zero Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over 'problems of Jammu & Kashmir migrants'.

'Modi govt has betrayed people': Anna Hazare on RTI (Amendment) Bill

A day after the Lok Sabha passed amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, social activist Anna Hazare accused the Union government of betraying Indian citizens through the move. "It is expected that while drafting legislation, the government take the opinion of citizens. If the draft and the Act are both made only by the government, then it is not a democracy but a dictatorship," Hazare said.

PTI

AIIMS doctors, students protest against NMC Bill

Doctors staged a protest outside All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Tuesday over National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill. While alleging that many clauses of the bill such as increasing management or NRI quota to more than 50 percent, National Exit Test (NEXT) and Mid-level practitioner or bridge courses are not acceptable to all the doctors in the country, the protesters termed the bill 'anti-student' and 'anti-poor'. Moreover, the doctors burnt the bill in various medical colleges as a mark of the protest.

Earlier on 17 July, the Union Cabinet approved the NMC Bill, 2019 that provides for the setting up of a medical commission in place of Medical Council of India (MCI) and repeal of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.

ANI

In the Lok Sabha today:

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019; The Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2019 and The National Medical Commission Bill, 2019 will be taken up for consideration and passing in the Lower House on Wednesday.

In the Rajya Sabha today:

After the Question Hour, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will introduce The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2019. Apart from that, The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019 will be taken up for consideration and passing.