Parliament Updates: BJP moves bill seeking mass movement for cleanliness, spread message of Clean India in Rajya Sabha; proceedings reconvene in Lower House

Over 3,000 sexual assault probe kits distributed for training to states: WCD ministry tells Lok Sabha

Over 3,000 sexual assault evidence collection kits have been distributed for training to states and union territories, the Women and Child Development Ministry said on Friday.

In response to a query in the Lok Sabha, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said 6,023 officers have been trained in collection, handling and transportation of forensic evidence by the Bureau of Police Research and Development and the Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science.

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Transgender Rights Bill should be sent to select panel, says Opposition

The Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said the government’s bill aimed at protecting the rights of transgender persons is not “comprehensive” enough and should be sent to a select panel for further scrutiny.

Instead of a new bill, the government should have brought the private member’s bill on the transgenders’ rights — moved by DMK leader Tiruchi Siva and already passed in Lok Sabha Last year, the opposition said.

Participating in a debate on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, opposition parties DMK, NCP, CPI and Aam Admi Party (AAP) alleged that the government has brought its own version tweaking major provisions suggested in the private member bill.

Sanjay Singh (AAP) said, “2 per cent reservation for transgenders and setting up of a commission were there in the private member bill but they have not been incorporated in the existing one.”

He observed that some of the provisions in the existing bill are not in favour of the transgender community. “Therefore the bill should be referred to a select committee for further scrutiny.”

Vandana Chavan (NCP) said unfortunately the government has not brought the bill in the same format as the private member’s bill of the DMK leader.

“There are absurd provisions like definition of transgender and district screening committee. …There should have been state councils and board. I suggest the bill be referred to a select committee,” she added.

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Rajya Sabha live updates

55 railway projects underway in Bihar, 362 percent rise in fund allocation, says Centre

There has been an increase of 362 per cent in the allocation of funds for railway projects in Bihar and as many as 55 projects are underway in the state, the Central government said on Friday.

Replying to supplementary questions during the question hour in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Railways Angadi Suresh Channabasappa said Rs 4,093 crore has been allocated for Bihar, an increase of 362 per cent, and that 55 projects are underway in the state.

On a specific query on when the Hajipur-Mohua rail line was started, he said it was started almost 14 years ago but has been pending for some reasons.

“No survey for Hajipur-Mahua New Line section has been conducted. However, a Reconnaissance Engg-cum-Traffic Survey (RETS) for new line between Bhagwanpur (located at a distance of 20 km from Hajipur)-Samastipur via Mahua (60 km) has been taken up,” Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said in a written reply.

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Lok Sabha takes up Compulsory Voting Bill

The Lower House resumes discussion on Compulsory Voting Bill, which was started in last session of Parliament. BJP leader Dushyant Singh spoke about voting percentages.

Private Members’ Bill taken up in Rajya Sabha 

Bills introduced in the Rajya Sabha include Special Financial Assistance to the State of West Bengal Bill by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Tea Garden Workers (Timely Payment of Dues) Bill by Saugata Roy, National Food Security (Amendment) Bill by Kirit Solanki, Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill by Feroze Varun Gandhi, Central Universities (Amendment) Bill by Riti Pathak.

Bill seeking mass movement for cleanliness, spread message of Clean India moved in Rajya Sabha

In the Upper Hosue, BJP leader Prabhat Jha wanted to pass Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (amendment of articles 51A) seeking to participate in mass movement for cleanliness and propagate the message of Clean India.

Make cleanliness fundamental duty, demands BJP leader in Rajya Sabha 

The proceedings in the Rajya Sabha resumed with BJP leader Prabhat Jha demanding to make cleanliness a fundamental duty under Artcle 51A of the Constitution.

Delhi’s air quality dips to ‘severe’ zone with AQI at 359

Delhi pollution remained one of the most severely debated topics in Parliament on Friday, with Union minister Prakash Javadekar arguing that National Capital’s air quality has improved in the last three years.

Incidentally, Skymet reported that the air quality index in Delhi was in the ‘severe’ category on Friday with an overall AQI of 359 and is expected to worsen in the next 48 hours. Skymet reported, “The air in many areas is in ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ category.” However, Javadekar and other BJP leaders in Lok Sabha continued to defend the Centre’s stance and made it a “political issue”. BJP’s Rajiv Pratap Rudy asked if the government would hold America accountable for the pollution that it creates.

25K tonnes of plastic waste generated everyday in India, 40 percent remains uncollected: Centre tells in Lok Sabha 

India generates more than 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste everyday, 40 per cent of which remains uncollected and littered in the environment, the Centre informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.

In a written response to a question in the Lower House, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said the demand of plastic has increased significantly. Due to its increased use in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, which has indirectly resulted into the challenge of plastic waste management.

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Not privatising Railways, but only outsourcing commercial services to private players, says Piyush Goyal in Rajya Sabha 

The government is not privatising the Indian Railways but only outsourcing commercial and on-board services to private players in order to provide better facilities to commuters, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said in Rajya Sabha on Friday .

Responding to a series of queries during Question Hour, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said such a step has been taken as it is not possible for the government to meet the fund requirement of Rs 50 lakh crore estimated for the next 12 years to operate Railways.

Not privatising Railways, but only outsourcing commercial and onboard services to private players, Piyush Goyal tells Rajya Sabha. 

“Our intention is to give better services and benefits and not to privatise the Indian Railways. The Indian Railways is and always continues to be the property of India and people of India,” Goyal assured in the Upper House.

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Govt selling profit-making PSUs to pamper some private players, claims Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Lok Sabha 

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Friday attacked the BJP-led government over disinvestment of PSUs, accusing it of pursuing privatisation to “pamper” some private players.

Government is selling family silver of the country to pursue privatisation and is doing so without Parliament scrutiny, he said while speaking after Question Hour.

Chowdhury said, “Government is selling profit-making PSUs to pamper some private players.”

Rajya Sabha proceedings resume

Private member bills are presently being introduced in the Upper House

Key features of Prohibition of E-Cigarettes Bill

The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Bill, 2019, seeks to replace an ordinance issued on 18 September.

The bill was introduced by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.

The bill makes the manufacturing, production, import, export, distribution, transport, sale, storage or advertisements of such alternative smoking devices a cognizable offence, attracting a jail term and a fine.

First-time violators will face a jail term of up to one year and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. For subsequent offences, a jail term of up to three years or a fine of Rs 5 lakh, or both, according to the ordinance.

The storage of e-cigarettes shall also be punishable with imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to Rs 50,000, or both, it said.

The government had cited health risk to people, especially youth and issued an ordinance to ban such products.

The bill authorised officials to conduct searches in premises, stating that where such searches were not permissible, authorities might attach properties, stocks of e-cigarettes or records maintained by the manufacturer, producer exporter, transporter, importer, stockist against whom a complaint had been made.

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India has decided to become part of the solution for climate crisis, says Javadekar In Lok Sabha 

As Lok Sabha discusses air pollution and climate change, Prakash Javadekar responds to the discussion by agreeing to include suggestions from all the leaders to ensure improvement in the air quality index in Delhi.

“The difference between climate change and air pollution must be understood. Climate change has long term effects while, pollutants have short-term effects. India has decided to become part of the solution for climate change,” said Javadekar.

Family members of former PMs will not be given SPG cover: official sources 

The family members of former prime ministers will not be guarded by the elite Special Protection Group (SPG) commandos, as per the amendments approved by the Union cabinet to the SPG Act, official sources said.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal told the Lok Sabha on Friday that the SPG Act (Amendment) Bill had been listed in the government’s business for next week.

Green cover increased upto 13,000 sqkm, claims Javadekar

Asserting that India has been part of many resolutions in the Paris Climate Agreement, Prakash Javadekar said the nation has generated 80K MW energy generation through renewable. He also said that the forest cover has increased upto 13,000 sqkm in last four years.

“In last four years, 13,000 sqkm green cover has increased, but we think forests are depleting,” said Javadekar.

India not responsible for climate change, claims Prakash Javadekar 

Explaining the green house effect in the Lok Sabha, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday claimed that India is not part of climate change crisis the world is currently subjected to, but should participate in the contribution to find solution and abate pollution. 

“India not responsible for climate change. The carbon emission by America, per capita carbon footprint, is 12 tonne, while in India the emission rate is not even four percent,” said Javadekar.

Indian government’s approach to deal with pollution ‘spasmodic’ in nature: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury 

Comparing the situation of air pollution in India with that of London and China, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Lok Sabha said “our approach is spasmodic in nature.” 

Lauding the foreign countries for dealing with the pollution crisis with their own formula, Chowdhury criticised the Indian government and said, “we have no long term perspective. Its a raring topic right now, after few weeks we will forget.”

SPG Bill to be taken up in Parliament next week, claims report 

SPG Amendment Bill will be taken up next week in the Parliament, reported CNN-News18 

Amendment to propose Special Protection Group (SPG) only to the Prime Minister, says govt sources. The Special Protection Group was set up in 1985 following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi the year before. In 1991, after the assassination of Indira Gandhi’s son Rajiv Gandhi, the SPG Act was amended to allow the force to protect former prime ministers for 10 years.

Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi, Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi and party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have now been granted Z-plus category protection across India, which entitles them to protection by the Central Reserve Police Force. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the only leader with SPG security currently.

Bill to ban production, import and sale of e-cigarettes introduced in Lower House

In the Lok Sabha, a bill to ban production, import and sale of e-cigarettes and similar products was introduced on Friday. The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Bill, 2019 seeks to replace an ordinance issued recently.

Mamata Banerjee doing nothing about deteriorating law and order situation in Bengal, claims Locket Chatterjee in Lok Sabha 

After BJP leader Locket Chatterjee alleged a breakdown in law and order situation in West Bengal, a ruckus erupted in the Lok Sabha. The BJP MP raised the issue of death of a female teacher, which triggered a hunger strike carried out by teachers and students, and thereafter hospitilisation of five-six people. 

Accusing chief minister Mamata Banerjee of evading her responsibilities, Chatterjee said, “We demand a probe in the death of a BJP worker who was found hanging from a tree last week.”

Parliament to discuss on lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir from next week, claims media reports 

Congress MP Aadhir Ranjan Chowdhury demanded a discussion over the lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir. According to media report, the Parliament is likely to take the issue from next week.

All MPs in the Lok Sabha agree that single-use plastic must be banned: Om Birla

Asserting that the Lower House represented 130 crore people, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that all the MPs agreed to the fact that single use plastic must be banned. 

“If the MPs of India take this resolution then the message will be spread among 130 crore people of our country,” said the Speaker of Lower House. 

BJP playing politics over water crisis: Arvind Kejriwal 

After BJP MP Vijay Goel raised the issue of Delhi’s deteriorating water quality in the Rajya Sabha in a bid to target Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of election season, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the ruling party was “playing politics over water crisis”. 

Listing the steps taken by the state government to ensure clean water in national Capital, Kejriwal said, “Delhi Jal Board will reform the water and sewer sector in the city.”

“We have changed the pipeline in places which complained of dirty water. The city has been facing the crisis for over seventy years. It is not possible to get rid of the problem in five years,” Kejriwal said. 

In the Upper House, the BJP accused the state government of failing to provide potable water to citizens.

BJP MP raises issue of deaths of migartory birds in Rajasthan in Rajya Sabha 

In the Upper House, BJP’s Kirori Lal Meena brought up the issue of the death of at least 17,000 migratory birds near Rajasthan’s Sambhar lake. Meena demanded an inquiry into the deaths of the birds.

BJP leader asks Centre to release fund for rehabilitation of calamity-affected people in Odisha 

BJD leader Amar Patnaik, BJD raised issue of cyclonic storms in Odisha and rehabilitation of calamity affected people. The BJD leader asked funds to be released as soon as possible under PM Awaas Yojana.

After air, Delhi next faces problem of water pollution: BJP’s Vijay Goel in Rajya Sabha

BJP MP Vijay Goel raised the issue of Delhi’s deteriorating water quality claiming that that the National Capital requires 38 million litres of water daily but half of city lived on tankers.

“After air pollution, Delhi’s problem is water pollution,” said Goel. 
 

The issue was raised as the slugfest between Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and Arvind Kejriwal continued. The Delhi chief minister and AAP chief has cried foul over the Bureau of Indian Standards report and demanded that the places surveyed be revealed.

Congress MPs stage protest in Parliament premises, demand transparency in electoral bonds scheme 

Trading barbs over the issue of electoral bonds, the Congress MPs on Friday held protest in Parliament premises demanding transparency in scheme. The Grand Old Party members demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence over the issue. 

Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor, Karti Chidambaram and Manish Tewari were among others present at the protest site near the Gandhi statue.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asks govt to fight plastic menace: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

Member of the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked the government to implement solid waste management to tackle plastic pollution. “Centre should take measures to fight the plastic menace,” said Chowdhury.

TMC gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir 

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) submitted an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over “continued shutdown in Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir)”.

Congress leaders Adhir Ranjan, Manish Tewari give adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha 

Member of the Lok Sabha and Congress leaders – Adhir Ranjan Choudhary and MP Manish Tewari – have given Adjournment Motion Notice in the Lower House over ‘disinvestment of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)’.

Discussion on Transgender Bill to continue in Upper House after Opposition suggests it must be sent to Select Committee

The discussion on the contentious Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019 will continue in the Rajya Sabha. Earlier, several Rajya Sabha members had demanded that it be sent to a Select Committee.

The Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said the government’s bill aimed at protecting the rights of transgender persons is not “comprehensive” enough and should be sent to a select panel for further scrutiny.

“Instead of a new bill, the government should have brought the private member’s bill on the transgenders’ rights – moved by DMK leader Tiruchi Siva and already passed in Lok Sabha in 2018,” the Opposition said.

Participating in a debate on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, Opposition parties – DMK, NCP, CPI and Aam Admi Party (AAP) –  alleged that the government has brought its own version tweaking major provisions suggested in the private member bill.

Centre has adopted several measures, including solar waste management to curb Delhi pollution: Prakash Javadekar

On Thursday, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar made a case for creating urban forests to provide lungs to cities gasping for clean air and introducing a programme in schools where students would grow and distribute plants. While addressing the House, the minister also said that the government has taken measures like crop residue and solar waste management, strict norms for construction and demolition activities, switching to BSVI emission as well fuel standards and norms for industrial pollution.

Debate over Delhi pollution to continue in Lok Sabha 

The Winter Session of Parliament will commence its fifth day on Friday at 11 am when the discussion on the pollution crisis in Delhi and NCR region will be taken up by the Lower House. Congress’ Manish Tewari and BJD’s Pinaki Misra will initiate the debate.