Parliament updates: Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day following ruckus over triple talaq bill

Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die

Lok Sabha sat for 13 days, 61 hours during Parliament's Winter Session

Consumer Protection Bill, New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill introduced in Lok Sabha

Ram Vilas Paswan rose to withdraw the The Consumer Protection Bill, 2015. The Consumer Protection Bill and the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill have been introduced.

Extract from the Parliamentary panel chaired by TMC MP Derek O'Brien on rude staff behaviour, especially IndiGo

"The Committee observes that the problems affecting the airlines are not personal; it is institutional. An institution like Indigo has to develop a consumer friendly approach in dealing with their passengers. The Committee believes that being a leader in market share, Indigo needs to look inward and find out the reasons for the discourteous attitude and rude and indifferent behavior of their employees, whether it is their cabin crew or the ground staff. The Committee emphasizes that the arrogant behavior of employees should stop."

Rajya Sabha bids farewell to retiring members, including Congress MP Karan Singh

List of business in the Lok Sabha for today:

1) Consumer Protection Bill
2) New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill

3) Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill.

4) Dentists (Amendment) Bill
5) National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill
6) Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill

Agriculture sector needs support, says Arun Jaitley on farm loan waiver

Arun Jaitley says the agriculture sector needs support. "Both the central and state governemtns have been making efforts," says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Lok Sabha.

BJP issues whip directing members to be present in both Houses today

Both Houses to be adjourned sine die post lunch

Last day of Winter Session of Parliament begins

Parliamentary panel says behaviour of airline staff, especially Indigo, condescending

Triple talaq could most likely be taken up again in 2018 Budget Session

List of legislative business in Rajya Sabha for today:

1) Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill, 2017

2) Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017

3) Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013

4) Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2017

5) Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017

6) Appropriation (No. 5) Bill, 2017

Fate of triple talaq bill hangs in balance 

Now with just one more day remaining in the ongoing Winter Session, the fate of the controversial bill remains shrouded in suspense as the government virtually rejected an overwhelming demand on Thursday from the Opposition for referring it to a Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha for detailed consideration. The Opposition, on the other hand also refused to relent as Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the Bill was not fit to be passed as it as it would "finish off Muslim women" instead of "empowering them."

Even Pakistan pays more salary to their judges than we do, says TRS MP Konda Vishveshwar Reddy

Speaking in the Lok Sabaha, TRS MP Konda Vishveshwar Reddy said that the hike in the judge's salary has been long ovrdue. To reassert his point, the MP said that while advocate charge lakhs of rupees for every sitting, the judge earns only Rs. 90,000. "Even a mid-level executive earns more than a High Court judge. The Pakistan judges are paid more than 10 times of what we are paying here," he said. 

Watch: Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav's speech on state of Indian economy in Rajya Sabha

Rafale Deal: France will not share manufacturing technology with India, MoS Defence in Parliament

Tathagata Satpathy bats for primal reforms in judiciary in Lok Sabha

Speaking on a bill to raise salaries of judges, BJP MP Tathagata Satpathy said that the judiciary needs several basic reforms. His suggestions included that advocates be allowed to advertise for their services, judges should have a system for automatic appraisal of salaries rather than the House debating each time they gate a pay hike. He also said that there was no reason that the judiciary was so reluctant to open itself to scrutiny. He said the provision for an TRI should be brought in. 

Elections can be won on mere slogans, but please work in the interest of nation, Ram Gopal Yadav urges govt

Speaking during the discussion on state of Indian economy, Ram Gopal Yadav said that the elections are never fought on facts and figures or policy matters. They are won on slogans. However, the government must work for improving the state of economy. 

Notwithstanding the Congress' remarks on metrics demonstrating the health of economy, Yadav said that the figures are merely a web to confound the common man, and mean little on the ground. He said that if the people in villages are getting enough to eat, earning enough to protect themselves in harsh winters, then the economy is good otherwise it is not. 

Meanwhile... Supreme Court invalidated triple talaq but never asked govt to frame law

Surmounting NPAs are UPAs gift to the nation, says BJP's Bhupender Yadav

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"I heard that an honourable member said that this government celebrates even slightest of improvements in numbers and metrics of economy like a little rainfall is cherished after a drought. It is right because the policy paralysis under the 10 years of UPA rule were akin to not just a drought but a misery. That's what they gave the nation in their 1o year's rule," Yadav.

Gopal Chinayya Shetty says there is a need to regulate advocates fees too

Shetty said that the entire process of fighting a litigation has become so costly that justice will soon evade common man. He said that the advocates usually charge a fee every time even if the court just reschedules the date of hearing. He said that there should be a mechanism to regulate the fees charged by advocates. 

Gopal Chinayya Shetty lauds NJAC system for Supreme Court's judges appointment

Shetty, while speaking on the discussion over The Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2017 touched upon the National Judiciary Appointment Commission. 

He said that the Commission will have members from the Opposition as well and it is more open and inclusive than the collegium system. 

Congress' Anand Sharma starts discussion on state of economy

Sharma said that Indian economy, contrary to the prime minister and finance minsters' claim, is not a galloping economy but a gasping economy. "None of the growth engine of the economy are running," Sharma said. 

He asked the government to specify the national investment, debts, and other economic indicators. He claimed that both national investment rate, and national saving rate, which are indicators of financial wealth of citizens, have fallen. He also said that the ratio between GDP growth and debt was increasing. 

Rajya Sabha takes up short duration discussion

Chinese incursion for one kilometre into Arunachal Pradesh is matter of national security: RSP MP NK Premachandran

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RSP MP from Kollam, NK Premachandran raised the issue of Chinese aggression on Indian borders after reports emerged of China's incursion for one kilometre into Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh. He called it an issue of national security and demanded the Centre's response to it. He also added it was important was as Chinese officials have openly stated China has never recognised Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory.

Centre to hold debate at 6 pm on triple talaq bill

According to sources, Centre will try to hold a debate at 6 pm on the triple talaq bill before sending it to the Select Committee. The Bill, which criminalises instant divorce among Muslims with a three year penal provision, was passed by the Lok Sabha last week.

Most of the opposition parties, including the Congress, had supported the passage of the Bill in the lower house with some reservations. BJP’s absolute majority in the Lok Sabha helped the ruling dispensation in the easy passage of legislation. The statute when brought to the Rajya Sabha faced some stiff resistance on Wednesday when a collective opposition insisted on sending the Bill to the Select Committee of the House.

Disabled persons needs place to stay apart from opportunities, says BSP MP Satish Chandra Misra 

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, BSP MP from Uttar Pradesh, Satish Chandra Misra says disabled persons need a place to stay apart from opportunities to come up in life. 

Claims of Assam NRC driving out a certain section of population are baseless allegations: Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha

As protests erupted in Lok Sabha over the Assam National Registry of Citizens, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "Assam NRC is being conducted under the Supreme Court's supervision. If somenone's names have been left out, they can register again. It cannot be deleted. It is not a conspiracy to drive out certain sections of the population. Such allegations are baseless." 

TMC MP Saugata Roy said the first draft of the NRC in Assam is a conspiracy to drive out Bengalis from Assam.

Dropout rates high due to lack of toilets, quality training: HRD minister Prakash Javadekar

Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar responds to questions on the education sector. When asked about the dropout rate, Javadekar said one of the reasons was the lack of toilets. “We constructed more toilets. Another reason was due to lack of quality training,” he said.

Urge Centre to engage with Donald Trump's administration over H-1B visa issue, says Congress MP Rajeev Gowda

Flagging the issue of H-1B visas in the US under Donald Trump's administration, Congress MP from Karnataka Rajeev MV Gowda said, "More than 50% of H-1B visas issued goes to Indians. It is bad for US to engage in such a disruptive move. I urge the government to engage with their US counterparts as livelihoods of thousands of Indians is at risk." 

Centre should reconsider renaming West Bengal as Bangla: Ritabrata Banerjee

West Bengal MP Ritabrata Banerjee said the Centre should consider renaming West Bengal as Bangla. A resolution in the matter was already passed in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, he said in Rajya Sabha.

Fireworks factories shut in Sivakasi, adverse impact on fireworks industry, says DMK

DMK MP Tiruchi Siva says following ban on firecrackers in Delhi, factories in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, have shut down causing deep economic hurt to businesses. "Fireworks is not the only reason for pollution. The work goes on throughout the year but the sales come up during Diwali," says Siva. 

Jignesh Mevani, Umar Khalid incited Bhima-Koregaon violence: BJP MP Amar Sable

"Jignesh Mevani, Umar Khalid made inflammatory speeches leading to violence in Maharashtra. The Congress tries to connect every Dalit atrocity with Sangh. This too should be condemned like attacks against Dalits," says BJP MP Amar Shankar Sable in the Rajya Sabha amid protests from other members. 

Ramadas Athawale condemns Bhima-Koregaon violence

"Everyone must strive to end caste wars and conflicts. Those involved in the incident must be brought to hook," says Ramadas Athawale.

"We should not see the Bhima-Koregaon as a political issue. Rather than politicising the issue,  we should try to control the situation and bring life back to normalcy. The state government will take strict action against the culprits," he said.

BSP demands Supreme Court-monitored probe into Bhima-Koregaon violence

Bills listed for consideration today:

Lok Sabha

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
High Court and The Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2017
Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-third Amendment) Bill, 2017
Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017
Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017
National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017

Rajya Sabha

Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill, 2017
Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017
Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013
Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2017
State Banks (Repeal and Amendment) Bill, 2017
Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016

Congress should expect stinging rebuttal to its Gujarat poll campaign

Amit Shah's maiden speech on GST could have a few pointers for Congress?

RECAP: Govt lying about Opposition's intentions on triple talaq bill

The Congress said that the government was lying about the Opposition’s intentions on Triple Talaq Bill in Rajya Sabha.

The government alleged that the Congress and other Opposition parties were trying to derail the bill by demanding it should be referred to a select committee, that too without giving a notice a day in advance.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters that the BJP does not believe in democracy. "The bills are generally referred to the select committee based on the ‘Sense of the House’ i.e majority. But, the government didn’t accept which once again proved that the BJP doesn’t believe in democracy, parliament, and parliamentary democracy," Azad said.

He added: "It is legally mandatory that all bills must go through a standing committee of Lok Sabha and if it doesn’t happen then such bill should be referred to select committee of the Rajya Sabha." 

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Union Finance Minister have lied on the issue.

"The government is playing politics in the name of triple talaq bill by selectively misquoting and misrepresenting even the Supreme Court Constitutional Bench judgement, which was done by Leader of Rajya Sabha (Arun Jaitley) today," Sharma said.

He added: "If the other House has not scrutinised the bill, it is the constitutional duty of the Rajya Sabha to do that. The government doesn't want a debate on it, so it is wrong on the part of the Law Minister to say that we (Opposition) don't want to debate it."

We are all for this bill, it is a faulty bill. No womens' groups, stakeholders were consulted, says TMC MP Derek O' Brien

Rajya Sabha adjourned for the fourth time till 11 am on Thursday as ruckus over triple talaq bill continued

Jaitley referred to judgement of SC, I want to correct the record, says Kapil Sibal

'Mahila Virodh' slogan raised against Opposition in Rajya Sabha

House is taken by surprise, says Jaitley on Anand Sharma's notice

The house is taken by surprise that a motion is suddenly moved, it has not been submitted a day before. The motion has to be given at least 24 hours in advance, says Arun Jaitley on Anand Sharma's notice.

Congress leader Anand Sharma moves resolution to pass triple talaq bill to select committee 

TMC, Congress want the bill to be sent to the Select Committee for consideration

TMC and Cong want the bill to be sent to the Select Committee for consideration. "We are not opposed to the bill, but we want the bill to be strengthened. We want it to be sent to the Select Committee,"  TMC leader said.

Triple talaq practice is still continuing in some areas, says RS Prasad

Congress wants triple talaq bill to be deferred

'Bhima-Koregaon violence issue raised deliberately so that Triple Talaq Bill can be stalled'

Rajya Sabha resumes amidst uproar on triple talaq bill issue

Proceedings of Rajya Sabha to resume shortly

Cabinet nod to establishment of AIIMS in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana

Kumar Vishwas speaks to the media a the announcement of AAP's Rajya Sabha nominees

Congress accuses Hindutva outfits of triggering Maharashtra clashes

As several parts of Maharashtra continued to reel under caste violence, Congress on Wednesday accused the RSS and certain Hindutva outfits of triggering it and demanded a probe by a Supreme Court judge into the clashes.

Congress in Lok Sabha demands statement from Narendra Modi

"RSS is behind the Bhima-Koregaon violence," said Mallikarjun Kharge in Lok Sabha. Uproar erupted in the House as soon as Kharge made this statement.

"Whether it is in Gujarat, Una, Rajasthan, there is nothing but injustice wherever BJP is in power," Kharge said. "A Supreme Court judge should be appointed and he should inquire this. The prime minister should come to the House and make a statement. When such incidents are happening, he does nothing," he added.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon after a massive ruckus was caused over Dalit protests in Maharashtra.

BJP leaders discuss key issues and bills at parliamentary meeting

The BJP held its parliamentary board meeting on Wednesday, whereby they discussed the triple talaq bill and the Constitution's 123rd amendment bill which will give constitutional status to the OBC commission.

Modi, Advani, Amit Shah attend parliamentary meeting

Congress demands apology from BJP MP for remarks on armed forces

Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day

Rajya Sabha passses the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Amend) Bill, 2017

Finance minister Arun Jaitley announces contours of electoral bonds for political funding

In a bid to clean election financing, the government on Tuesday outlined contours of the new electoral bonds that donors can buy from SBI and said receiving political parties can encash only through a designated bank account.

The electoral bonds, which are being pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties, will be available at specified branches of State Bank of India (SBI) for 10 days each in months of January, April, July and October.

The bonds, which would be valid for 15 days, will not carry the donor's name even though the purchaser would have to fulfil KYC norms at the bank, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in the Lok Sabha while announcing the contours of the scheme.

 Select Committee submits report on the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017 

Lok Sabha adjourned for the day

Rajya Sabha passes Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2017

No plans to create second capital in South: Govt tells LS

The government has no plans to create a second capital in South India, the Lok Sabha was informed today. Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, while replying to a written question on whether the government has any proposal to create a second capital in South India (Hyderabad), said, "No".

Can't prevent misuse of Bitcoin by terrorists: Government tells RS

There is no mechanism to prevent the misuse of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin by terror groups and other anti-national elements, the government said on Tuesday, adding it was awaiting the report of an expert group on the subject.

"One of the features of cryptocurrency is that there is lack of dependence on the state. It functions with a degree of anonymity. It operates within a virtual community which is created and enjoys the trust of that virtual community," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told the Rajya Sabha.

"The government is examining the matter. A Committee under the chairmanship of the Economic Affairs Department Secretary is deliberating over all issues related to cryptocurrencies to propose specific actions to be taken... Instead of taking any knee-jerk action, let's wait for the report of this committee."

He said there were 785 different types of cryptocurrencies operating worldwide.

CRPF camp attack raised in Lok Sabha

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The attack on a training centre of the Central Reserve Police Force in Jammu and Kashmir was raised in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, with opposition leaders accusing the government of inaction.

The House also witnessed slogans against Pakistan being raised, as soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan entered the House, with some shouting 'Pakistan Murdabad'.

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia raised the issue during the Zero Hour and also mentioned Bharatiya Janata Party member Nepal Singh's comments, who reportedly said "those in the Army are bound to die".

"Pakistan-sponsored terrorists attacked a CRPF camp, in which five of our jawans were martyred. The concern is that while on one hand, Army jawans sacrifice their lives, on the other hand, government does not appear serious about it. In the last three years, there have been so many incidents..." Scindia said.

"The Prime Minister has also been quiet on the issue. On the other hand, National Security Advisor (Ajit Doval) is meeting his Pakistani counterpart..." he said.

Meanwhile, IMA calls off pan India strike after Centre sends NMC bill to Standing Committee

The Indian Medical Association had called for suspending routine services today to protest against a bill that seeks to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body. 

The National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, as it stands today, proposes to allow practitioners of alternative medicines, such as homeopathy and ayurveda, practice allopathy after completing a “bridge course”. However, the Centre has agreed to refer it to Parliamentary Standing Committee for closer scrutiny after the uproar over the bill. 

Lok Sabha debates The Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill 2017

NMC bill referred to Parliamentary Standing Committee, says Parliamentary Affairs minister Ananth Kumar

Congress, Samajwadi Party support the amendment in Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 

What is the insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2017?

The bill is an attempt to regulate the liquidation and insolvency of companies that file for bankruptcy. According to PRS legislature the bill prohibits certain persons from submitting a resolution plan in case of defaults. These include: (i) wilful defaulters, (ii) promoters or management of the company if it has an outstanding non-performing debt for over a year, and (iii) disqualified directors, among others. Further, it bars the sale of property of a defaulter to such persons during liquidation.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2017 being discussed in Rajya Sabha

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi says that the triple talaq bill will be passed in Rajya Sabha with constructive debate and discussion

Venkaiah Naidu to chair a meeting to discuss triple talaq bill

NCP leader Majeed Memon says the party has already made it clear that it is entirely against criminalisation of triple talaq

NCP wants the Triple Talaq bill to be sent to select committee, DMK wants criminalisation clause removed

BJP issues a whip to all its parliamentarians asking them to remain present in the Parliament between 2-4 January

Muslim women celebrating triple talaq bill do no know law: Owaisi

"Section 3 says triple talaq does not end marriage. The burden of proof will now be on the innocent women. What kind of justice is this that a non-Muslim gets 1 year but Muslim will get 3 years," Asaduddin Owaisi told India Today.

He claimed that the Muslim women celebrating the bill "did not know the law" and hoped that the Select Committee reject it in Rajya Sabha since the bill needs to be debated.

Will take steps through democratic means to 'amend, improve or scrap' triple talaq bill: AIMPLB

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The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) expressed serious reservations over the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill which was passed by the Lok Sabha and said it will take steps through democratic means to "amend, improve or scrap" it.

The Shia Waqf Board, meanwhile, called for making the punishment to those indulging in 'triple talaq' more stringent. "We will take whatever steps required through democratic means to amend, improve or scrap it. There is no move to go to court as of now...The bill was brought in a haste," AIMPLB spokesperson Maulana Khalil-ur-Rehman Sajjad Nomani said. He said the board should have been taken into confidence on the issue.

Ravi Shankar Prasad pins hope on Congress' support in Rajya Sabha

Speaking to India Today, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that he understood the concerns of victims of triple talaq. "I have to maintain a balance between the law and your(victims') concerns. I hope that Congress support the bill in Rajya Sabha the same way it has in Lok Sabha," he said.

Ravi Shankar Prasad addresses concerns on triple talaq bill

Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "We did not mislead the House. Supreme Court said that triple talaq is wrong. The law has not been made in haste. We are viewing this with the prism of humanity, not politics." 

Lashing out at the concerns over the criminal aspect of the offense, Prasad said," We have left the decision of jail term on the magistrate."

Asaduddin Owaisi slams Ravi Shankar Prasad over failure to 'discriminate between civil law and criminal law'

"The Union law minister has failed to discriminate between civil law and criminal law. Not a single Muslim country has a penal provision. Triple talaq is a verbal and emotional abuse," Asaduddin Owaisi said.

Owaisi alleged that the Centre was giving an advantage to the offenders and was not helping the situation. "Your dream of having more Muslims in jail will be achieved. Please send the bill to the Standing Committee. You are forcing a Muslim woman to file an FIR against her husband. You are giving a handle to the Muslim man, who will have 90 days. If you are true to your intentions, create a corpus of 1000 cr," he said.

RSP raises concern on Centre's 'over-enthusiasm '

RSP leader NK Premchandran said: "​The main apprehension is the over enthusiasm of the NDA government led by the BJP. There is a cloud of suspicion. Triple talaq is already declared by Supreme Court as null and void. It has become the law of the land. Then the question is what is the need of further legislation?"

IUML says triple talaq cases in India 'negligible'

ET Muhammed Basheer said that of the population of Muslims in the country, triple talaq cases were negligible. "You are unnecessarily taking gun to kill the mosquito. You have jeopardised the sanctity of the House," he said.

SP opposes three-year jail term proposed in triple talaq bill

SP leader Dharmendra Yadav said that the Centre should involve the state government while making the triple talaq bill into a law. He further criticised the three-year jail term suggested for offenders in the bill.

Are we here to break marriages, asks NCP

NCP leader Supriya Sule claimed that the bill on triple talaq did not help married Muslim couples reconcile. She said: "Marriages can be reworked. when you put a father in court. He could be a bad husband, but he could also be a wonderful father. Are we here to break marriages or to reconcile? This nation needs legislation from the heart. The personal touch with so much digitisation has just gone."

YSRC opposes criminal aspect to triple talaq bill

YSRC leader Varaprasad Rao Velagapalli said: "By putting extra (efforts to criminalise Muslim men), we are dealing the case in diverse manner for Hindus and Muslims. The punishment of 3 years should be taken back. I wish that government should have taken advice of state government.. I think this is the high time. The government is shedding extra tears for Muslim women"

CPM opposes attaching 'criminal remedy' to triple talaq bill

CPM leader A Sampath said in Lok Sabha:" My party has made its stand very clear. This bill is a transgression of the civil side and the criminal side. Marriage, succession, inheritance, adoption, dissolution of marriage is on the civil side. What type of criminal remedy can be attached to it? Supreme Court called the practice illegal. Here we have issues of equality also come into the fore."

Sampath further criticised the Standing Committee for not involving women's organisations before the bill was tabled. "None of the women's organisation were consulted. We think we know what women want. We dictate and they have to receive. We make rules and they have to accept," he said.

Tathagata Satpathy warns of 'happenings' if Lok Sabha passes 'criminality angle' in triple talaq bill 

In Lok Sabha, BJD leader Tathagata Satpathy criticised the government for delaying taking up the issue of triple talaq. "The government is so focussed on discussing whether bamboo is a grass or a tree to did not feel it necessary to bring forth an ordinance in this particular case. The game is somewhere else," he said.

He added: "Bringing in criminality angle. When we are talking about introducing criminality into divorce, this is a civil matter. I am talking of the poorest of the poor. They see law in different angles. When there is compulsion by law that either you live together or go to prison, there could be happenings that are beyond the control of the government functionaries."

BJD opposes 'criminal' aspect of the triple talaq bill

In Lok Sabha, Biju Janata Dal leader Tathagata Satpathy said: " This is about more than a decade that I have been noticing, we have only been passing economy-related bill. This (bill on triple talaq) is one of the socially relevant bill that the govt has found time for. The Opposition is very focussed. We are opposing the way it is being introduced.

"Our opposition is about the way you intend to apply this bill. This bill is definitely not an initiative of this government. We always pass bills but we always seem to forget the implementation aspect and that is where things are going wrong in this country. Despite the AIMPLB saying that no such acts will happen, 100 plus annulments happened after the Supreme Court judgment."

BJP slams Congress for 'appeasement politics'

"Why didn't UPA end medieval laws," BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi asked in Lok Sabha as the Lower House discussed the bill on triple talaq.

"The bill is not a ramvan to end all miseries. The practice of triple talaq needs to be discouraged. Supreme Court has said it is an arbitrary practice. Many people think women are commodities and that needs to be stopped," she further said.

Lekhi said that the laws of the Hindus and the Christians have been modified such that customary practices do not interfere with the rights of women. “Women are the biggest minority in this country,” Lekhi said.

Meenakshi Lekhi seeks law against maulanas who encourage triple talaq

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"Like other countries, India should ban triple talaq," said BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi.

Lekhi went on to call the practice of instantaneous divorce as "a joke on marriage". "This is practice over Whatsapp, email, text message. When you get married, you take the society along with you," she said

Congress bats for women empowerment

INC leader Sushmita Dev said in Lok Sabha: "Everybody wants social reforms. It is not just an idea, it is a right. I want to ask Ravi Shankar Prasad, will we see the women's reservation bill coming to the Parliament. It is not just the representation of women, if you would have allowed more women in the Parliament, a legislation like this, full of lacunae, wouldn't have seen the light of the day in this House." 

Sushmita Dev speaks on triple talaq bill

INC leader Sushmita Dev said, "When the Supreme Court's judgment came Congress had a press meet. We welcomed the Supreme Court judgment. When the Supreme Court requested the Parliament to legislate on it, in a technical term, I'd say it was a minority judgment. The bill seeks to amend a critical law. We have seen historically that talaq is a unilateral act. Since 1939, women have been approaching court. However, the reality is, that this is a practice that is prevalent till today."

In Lok Sabha, Ravi Shankar Prasad says bill on triple talaq protects rights of women

"The issue is not of faith, or puja but it is simply of gender justice, equality," said law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Prasad, who is also the IT minister, further added: "I had gone to Patna. I witnessed burqa-clad women were learning IT. On one side, we are hailing digital India and on the other side there is 'talaq, talaq, talaq'". Lok Sabha is India's biggest panchayat. I appeal, firstly, that this bill not be seen as a succession bill. Secondly, don't tie it under caste aspect,and, thirdly, don't tie it with religion. Fourthly, don't view it under vote bank."

Ravi Shankar Prasad speaks on triple talaq bill

"We hoped that the condition would improve after the Supreme Court's decision," said law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

"Countries like Eqypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh have regulated triple talaq. The Islamic countries have regulated triple talaq. They have said you can't say talaq in one sitting. The big question that I want to raise is that Islamic. India is a secular country. If here the women are facing abuse, we need to take a decision," said Prasad.

Meanwhile in Rajya Sabha...

Bill on National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special provisions) Second Amendment Bill 2017 has been tabled in Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha had passed the bill on Wednesday.

UP Minister Mohsin Raza slams AIMPLB members

'Historic day', says AIMWPLB member

If every bill is money bill, then what is the use of Rajya Sabha? asks Naresh Agrawal

With the GST bill being declared a money bill, SP's Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Agrawal cries foul, saying that if every bill passed in the Lok Sabha is declared a money bill, then what will be the utility of the Upper House. To this, PJ Kurien, the deputy chairman of the House , taunted that the Samajwadi MP can amend the Constitution if he wants to. 

Rajya Sabha re-convenes 

However, the Chair urges Congress MP BK Hariprasad to express regret for defying Chairman of the House. 

Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 pm 

Bifurcation issues between two Telugu states remain

It takes time to set up separate high courts after bifurcation of states. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana need to sort out the issue with mutual consent, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Responding to the questions related to the  bifurication issues, Home Minister Rajnath Singh added that governments of both states need to work together to resolve the issue. 

Triple talaq is immoral, says Subramanian Swamy

Manish Tewari says Congress supports the bill 

"Congress supports the Supreme Court's judgment. Triple talaq should definitely go but as far as the bill is concerned, it will be scrutinised by the Parliamentary committee. If there are difficulties in the provisions that will be dealt with. Congress is definitely supporting triple talaq bill but the provisions will be scrutinised," says Manish Tiwari to CNN-News18.

Neighbourhood policy needs to be re-oriented, says Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary

Speaking during the Zero Hour, West Bengal Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary said, "Maldives media has been showing Narendra Modi as anti-Muslim. Now, China through its OBOR plan is entering the periphery of our neighbouring countries. I believe that our neighbourhood policy needs to be reoriented." 

Zero Hour in Lok Sabha

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While the discussion and voting over the triple talaq bill will take place after 2 pm, the Lok Sabha is currently conducting Zero Hour. 

Watch: Sushma Swaraj's statement in the Rajya Sabha

Pakistan Foreign Office to hold press conference at 5.30 pm IST

Pakistan Foreign Office is set to hold a press conference at 5:30 pm IST. The dept will be responding to India’s claims that #KulbhushanJadhav’s family was mistreated. Pak FO will also clarify its stand on taking away Jadhav’s wife’s shoes and not returning them. 

Triple talaq to be passed today itself

The triple talaq bill will be put to vote and passed in the Lok Sabha today itself, announced Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. 

Beyond the focus on triple talaq bill

Arun Jaitley introduces The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

Ravi Shankar Prasad highlights a case of instant triple talaq

On Thursday morning, in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur district, a woman was divorced through instant triple talaq for waking her husband up late in the morning. The husband left his home after divorcing her and is untraceable as of yet.

BJD opposes triple talaq bill

Congress opposes triple talaq bill

Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge says that the party does not support the triple talaq bill as ruckus breaks out in the Lower House over the bill.

Triple talaq bill is for the honour of women, says RS Prasad

"This is a hisotric day for India. This law is not linked to any religion, it is about the honour of women. The SC outlawed talaq e biddat But still goes on. Injustice is still going on. However, I ask whether the Parliament will still be silent? The parliament has to decide whether the Muslim women have any rights. Triple talaq still goes on. We are bringing a law finally. People say that it is against basic structure of the Constitution but isn't the honour of women important?" asked Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. 

BJD opposes triple talaq bill 

Toeing the Opposition's line, the Biju Janata Dal said that the bill has fundamental flaws in it. 

AIMIM chief Asadudin Owaisi speaks 

Opposing the bill over the criminalisation of the Islamic practice, Owaisi said that the law will be injustice to Muslim woman and lead to the abandonment of Muslim woman. 

Triple talaq bill introduced in the Lok Sabha

Not returning the shoes was an act of cruelty, says Swaraj

Deputy High Commissioner wasn't allowed to come with family, says Sushma Swaraj

Pakistan used the event as a propaganda tool 

"In April 2017, I had said that the death sentence was given in illegal manner. We were in constant touch with the family. We were helping them connect with Jadhav. The Pakistan government allowed a meeting in December. It is unfortunate that the meeting could have been a path-breaking event but Pakistan used it as  a propaganda tool,"

Sushma Swaraj speaks in Lok Sabha 

Rajya Sabha adjourned again.. 

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned within five minutes after being reconvened. The Upper House has been adjourned till 2 pm. 

Ruckus in Rajya Sabha 

The Congress party is continuing to create a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha over Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde's comments against the Constitution. The Congress MPs are demanding a point of order in Question Hour. However, Chariman Venkaiah Naidu refused to allow it. 

Meanwhile in Lok Sabha..

Lok Sabha held its Question Hour, which went on smoothly. 

Kulbhushan Jadhab confessed to mother, wife, claims Pakistani media

After harassing his mother and wife, Pakistan media now claims that Kulbhushan Jadhav "confessed" to being an "Indian spy" during the trio's recent meeting. Pakistan's Geo News claims that the mother immediately chided Jadhav and asked him to speak the truth. The mother and wife, after the meeting, have repeatedly reiterated that the former Navy officer was being forced to toe Pakistan's narrative.

Rajya Sabha adjourned 

The Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 pm after Congress raises objections over Hegde's comments on the Constitution. 

Commotion in Rajya Sabha over Hegde 

BJP raises objection over Rahul Gandhi's tweet against Arun Jaitley

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Rahul had twisted Jaitley's name as "Jaitlie" in his tweet. 

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Ramdas Athavale speaks

Union Minister Ramdas Athavale gives a poetic statement to back Sushma Swaraj's statement, "Kulbhushan ki khatre mey hai jaan, Hua hai unke maata pita ka apmaan". He also thanked the Congress for supporting the government. 

Jadhav's mother was not allow to speak in Marathi

"Kulbhushan Jadhav's mother was not allowed to speak in Marathi. Two Pakistani officials present in the meeting kept stopping her repeatedly but when she continued, the intercom was switched off," Sushma Swaraj said in Rajya Sabha.

'It was nothing like humanitarian gesture'

"It was nothing like a humanitarian gesture. Human rights of the family members were violated again & again & an environment of fear was created for them," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha speaks in one voice on Kulbhushan Jadhav case

In a rare sense of unity, all parties in the Rajya Sabha have denounced the manner in which Jadhav's family was treated in Pakistan. 

Jadhav spoke in duress, says Sushma Swaraj

"I spoke to the family of Kulbhushan Jadhav over the phone. She said that he was speaking under duress. He was telling whatever he was being tutored.  He did not look healthy too. I hope people all Members of Parliament as well as the common man will denounce the behaviour of Paksitan," Sushma Swaraj said while concluding her statement. 

Ghulam Nabi Azad speaks 

"We fear that if we speak a lot here, then there will be a danger to the life of Jadhav. but we know that the Pakistani Army does not believes in democracy. It does not know how to behave with prisoners who have been implicated in false case. What they did with Jadhav's wife and mother is condemnable. We may have political differences but on this issue we stand with the government," the LoP in Rajya Sabha said. 

Pakistan's behaviour beyond absurd, says Sushma

Sushma Swaraj speaks

Anant Kumar Hegde apologises 

The Rajya Sabha is moving smoothly right now

The Upper House is awaiting a statement by Sushma Swaraj over Kulbhushan Jadhav row. 

Anant Kumar Hegde once again clarifies his statement in Lok Sabha

"I can never go against the Constitution as a citizen. It is Supreme for me," says Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde. However, Mallikarjuna Kharge interrupts and says that Hegde has insulted Babasaheb Ambedkar. 

Both Houses reconvene 

Anant Kumar Hegde clarifies

Congress protests against Hegde's statement 

Anant Kumar Hegde clarifies his stand

Three days after his controversial statement over the word 'secularism' in the Constitution, Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde has said the Constitution of India is supreme for him. 

Congress protests against Anant Kumar Hegde in Parliament premises

Modi appeals for unanimous passage for triple talaq bill

Congress likely to support anti-triple talaq bill

Congress sources tell CNN-News18 is that the party will be supporting the anti-triple talaq bill. However, the party is apprehensive of the criminality clause in the law, adding that the three-year jail for the divorce is arbitrary and Draconian. 

This day will be more significant in Muslim women's life than Eid or Bakrid, says victim

Pakistan to share report on slippers with India

Sources told CNN-News18 that Pakistan will share the report on Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife Chetnakul's slipper with India. Pakistan had taken the slipper away suspecting a metallic object to be in it. 

Bills to be tabled in Lok Sabha apart from triple talaq

In Lok Sabha, Urban Development Minister Hardeep Puri will table The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Amendment Bill, 2017.

Later, Prasad will table The High Court And The Supreme Court Judges (Salaries And Conditions Of Service) Amendment Bill, 2017.

The bill will increase the salaries of the Chief Justice of India, other judges of the Supreme Court, chief justices of the high courts as well as other judges of high courts by over 2 times.

Rahul slams BJP for creating a 'web of deceit'

Triple talaq bill to be tabled today

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill is listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on 28 December, according to the list of business in the Lower House.

The bill, prepared by an inter-ministerial group headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, makes instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat in any form – spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp – "illegal and void" and provides for a jail term of three years for the husband.

We will get some relief because of new law, says a victim

The Constitution is under threat, says Rahul Gandhi

BJP parliamentary party meeting underway

Congress' 133rd foundation day 

The Indian National Congress is celebrating its 133rd foundation day today. It is for the first time that Rahul Gandhi will be steering an event as the president of the party. 

BJP issues whip to all MPs

According to CNN-News18, the BJP has issued a whip to all its MPs to attend today's proceedings in Parliament. The Lok Sabha will be discussing the triple talaq bill today. 

Pakistan reporters' ask insensitive questions: Aapke kya jazbaat hain apne kaatil bete se milne ke baad?

BJP Parliamentary party meeting to begin shortly

Opposition attacks NDA government over Jadhav row

Various political parties, including the Shiv Sena, Trinamool Congress and AIADMK, strongly protested how Pakistan treated the wife and mother of Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former navy officer sentenced to death in Pakistan. The episode drew outrage on social media as well. 

"We are even more depressed now than we were before the visit," a relative of Kulbhushan Jadhav told news agency PTI. The family refrained from commenting further as it is an international issue. "If we speak something about it, that may hamper the process," he said.

Congress to protest outside Parliament over Anantkumar Hegde comment

Updates for 28 December begin

Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day

Rajya Sabha passes The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy Bill, 2017

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assures RS of autonomous functioning of new Indian Institute of Petroleum 

"Many members have expressed concerns over the autonomy of the institute. I would like to assure them in this House today that it is our government's intention to make the institute fully autonomous. However, we cannot expect it to turn into a JNU, or DU from day 1. In the initial phases, there will be some hand holding but later on it will be completely autonomous.," Pradhan said. 

Rajya Sabha extends time until The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy Bill, 2017 is passed

LS passed law to protect unauthorised colonies, slums in Delhi

The Lok Sabha today passed a bill to protect slums and unauthorised colonies in the national capital region from punitive action till a framework for orderly arrangements are in place. The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill gives immunity to slums and some unauthorised constructions till 31 December, 2020. The immunity under the existing Bill ends on 31 December.

Lok Sabha adjourned for the day 

Lok Sabha passes The Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill, 2017

'Govt yet to receive proposal to fill up judges' vacancies in SC'

There are six vacancies of judges in the Supreme Court, while nine high courts are working without regular chief justices, but the government has not received any proposal from the apex court collegium to fill up the slots, the Rajya Sabha has been informed. Union Minister of State for Law P P Chaudhary, in a written reply, has informed the Upper House of Parliament that the "government has not received any proposal for filling up of the six vacancies of judges in the Supreme Court and for appointment of chief justices in the nine high courts, which are functioning with acting chief justices".

The approved strength of the Supreme Court is 31, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). 

TRS MPs demand setting up of Telangana High Court

Members of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) disrupted proceedings in the Lok Sabha demanding immediate setting up of a High Court for Telangana. Raising the issue, TRS parliamentarian AP Jithender Reddy said the Centre is yet to set up a High Court for Telangana even three years after the formation of the state.

The TRS MPs also trooped into the Well of the House, showing placards and raising slogans demanding setting up of a High Court for Telangana.

Lok Sabha debates Good and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill, 2017 amid din

No concession for patients suffering from arthritis: Railways

The railways today said it had no quota for patients suffering from arthritis and no plans of offering any concession in passenger fare for them as it was already losing revenue over the discounts granted in over 50 categories. 

Rajya Sabha debates The Indian Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2017

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar disassociates govt from Hegde's remark, says BJP committed to Constitution 

"I just want to say that Modi ji and our Govt are committed to the constitution of India and ideals of Baba Saheb Ambedkar: Ananth Kumar," Parliamentary Affairs Minister in Lok Sabha on Opposition uproar over Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde's remark. 

Ruckus in Lok Sabha over Mallikarjun Kharge's use of unparliamentary word

Reacting to Anantkumar Hegde's comments on secularists and the Constitution, senior Congress MP Malliakrjun Kharge attributed these words to Hegde: Those who label themselves secularists, they neither have mothers nor fathers, their blood line is not know. Kharge then asked that whether the minister was calling secularists Ba*****.

The Speaker took strong objection to the use of words and expunged the comments from record. She also added that nobody knows for certain what the minister had said, and since he was not present in House, the House's time should not be wasted on the issue.  

Congress govts in past left issues in limbo: BJP MPs 

Discussion about unauthorised colonies in Delhi is underway in Lok Sabha. BJP’s Ramesh Vidhudi has alleged that the Congress party has left the issue hanging for years.

From the Opposition, CPM MP Mohd. Saleem stood up to respond but refused to speak during the din. He again brought up the comments made by Hegde, but the Speaker refused to take those remarks on record. 

Hardeep Singh Puri, MoS Housing and Urban Development Ministry speaks on NCT of Delhi amendment bill

Don't make it a practice to pass bills in din, pull up Union minister Anantkumar Hegde, Saugata Roy tells Speaker

AITMC MP Saugata Roy requested the Speaker to not pass bills while the House is not in order. He also said that the Speaker must pull up Union minister Anantkumar Hegde for insulting the makers of Constitution. He also added that he would not voice his opinions in the House as a mark of protest. Lok Sabha Chairman, however, dismissed the request and added that the House cannot be adjourned every day.  

Lok Sabha continues discussion on National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2017 amid Opposition uproar

Naresh Agrawal writes to Rajya Sabha chairman over  ill-treatment of Indian prisoners in Pakistan

Amid controversy over Naresh Agrawal's comment, the SP MP has written to Rajya Sabha chairman over the alleged ill-tretment of Indian prisoners in Pakistan. He also alleged that the government was not doing anything about it.  

Sumitra Mahajan asks Opposition benches to not show placards

Soon after the Lok Sabha resumed, Congress MP's started waving placards at the Treasury benches. They were protesting against Anant Kumar Hegde's comments on Constitution.

Lok Sabha has been adjourned until 2.45 pm

I,on behalf of Congress, say that we disassociate from any comments that may have hurt prime minister's dignity, says GN Azad of the Congress

Any view that Narendra Modi meant to insult Manmohan Singh or other leaders during election speeches is erroneous and uncalled for, Arun Jaitley says

Trinamool gives adjournment notice over Kulbhushan

Trinamool joins Opposition Congress party in demanding a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs over the Kulbhushan Jadhav's meeting with his wife and mother in Pakistan.

Opposition demands Sushma Swaraj's statement on Kulbhushan Jadhav issue

Opposition parties to raise Kulbhushan Jadhav issue in Parliament

Odisha MP Bhartruhari Mahtab speaks for the farmers

Mahtab talks about how unseasonal rain and cyclones cause great harm to crops and farmers as well. He says the infrastructure needs to rebuilt after these calamities.

Kerala MP Richard Hay talks about the coastal areas affected by the cyclone

Richard Hay says he had visited the coastal area of Kerala and Kanyakumari himself. "The fisherfolk want homes, food, education and security. I am not getting this from the media. I have visited the people and have listened to them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman had consoled those people," he said.

Professor Richard Hay, the nominated member from Kerala, talks about the ground situation in Kerala in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi

KC Venugopal argued for the fisherfolk

Union minister Prakash Javdekar criticises Congress for disrupting Rajya Sabha proceedings

Congress MP from Kerala KC Venugopal leads the debate on Cyclone Ockhi

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He admits that enough warning was given but there is a need for specific alarm systems. "Modern technology is needed to help the people. Unfortunately there has been a lapse by the authorities in informing the people about the cyclone. I am not blaming anyone as this should not be a political issue," he said.

Discussion on Cyclone Ockhi under Rule 193 to commence

Question asked on infrastructure development

BJP MP from Rajasthan, Dushyant Singh, asks a question about the conservation of tigers

Triple Talaq criminalisation bill absent in Lok Sabha's revised list of business

Health issues continue to dominate proceeding in Lok Sabha

The issue of nurses' allowances has been raised. The concerned minister insists that most of the nurses' demands have been met and discussions are ongoing for the others.

It seems doubtful that Triple Talaq criminalisation bill will be discussed today

Adjournment means no legislative business will take place in the Rajya Sabha over the next four days as well

Rajya Sabha adjourned till Wednesday

Opposition asks for adjournment

In the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition insists that it is better to adjourn the matter with it raising uproar. It asks the Rajya Sabha to be adjourned till 2 pm till when the issue is resolved.

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad asks for Rajya Sabha to be adjourned till the parties decide on the remarks issue outside Parliament

Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien says Rajya Sabha TV should not be cut off when protests are taking place as that is one of the ways for the Opposition to express itself

Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Bhaurao Raut raises the issue of health

Raut raises the issue of the deaths in the Gorakhpur hospital. He asks for the Centre to keep a check on the funds which are given to the state governments for health issues. Anupriya Patel, MoS, Health and Family Welfare answers saying that the Centre does indeed monitor the funds and the MP could monitor those funds for their own constituency as well.

Uproar over apology by Narendra Modi

Business in the Rajya Sabha is proceeding fairly quietly while there is constant sloganeering in the Lok Sabha by the Opposition.

Proceedings start in both Houses

In the Rajya Sabha, M Venkaiah Naidu read the obituary of legislator Jalaluddin Ansari and a minute's silence was observed. Question hour starts in Lok Sabha.

Congress gives adjournment motion

Cyclone Ockhi to be discussed today

Discussion on natural calamities in the country with special reference to cyclone Ockhi in South India

On Thursday, a bill to double judges' salaries was introduced

Triple Talaq criminalisation bill likely to be introduced today

BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe has given adjourned motion notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 on remarks of Congress leaders against PM Modi

Updates for 22 December start here

Lok Sabha adjourned till Thursday morning

Lok Sabha passes the Indian Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2017 before adjourning it till Thursday

Union environment minister Harshvardhan says soon people will be encouraged to take up bamboo cultivation

Legislation to amend the Indian Forest Act to exempt felling and transportation of bamboo

The legislation to amend the Indian Forest Act to exempt felling and transportation of bamboo grown in non-forest areas from the state permit, was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The Indian Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2017 — which would omit bamboos growing in non-forest areas from the definition of trees — was introduced by Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan even as BJD leader B Mahtab raised concerns and opposed the legislation.- PTI

In India, one tonne bamboo costs Rs 10, 000 in some parts and Rs 10-15,000 in other parts

SDF leader Prem Das Rai raises the 'complications' in regularising bamboo 

"People of north Sikkim were completely cut-off because of Mantam lake which was created because of landslide. They then made a bamboo bridge and are now able to cross the lake on foot," Prem Das Rai said in Lok Sabha.

Rai demanded that the bamboo be unleashed from "all kinds of regulations". In 2014, He added that he had brought a similar bill on bamboo with a private members' bill in 2014.

"I had done research. We had sent researchers in Tripura, Nagaland., Sikkim. Problems found were mainly regulatory. One of the reasons of high cost is on the count of the fact that bamboo, the amount of rent-seeking behaviour is just too much. Therefore, as a first step, we need to take a holistic approach. The first step is to redefine bamboo (by removing it from tree category)," Rai said.

The farmer does not need our sympathy, they need less interference, says Tathagata Satpathy of BJD

Over 2 lakh Chinese tourists visited India in 2017: Alphons

More than two lakh Chinese tourists visited India in 2017, according to data provided by the tourism ministry in Parliament on Wednesday. The figures provided by Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons in the Rajya Sabha assume significance in the backdrop of India's recent standoff with China over the Doka La issue.- PTI

BJD's Tathagata Satpathy objects to bill, says farmers will be affected by removal of bamboo from bill

G Hari of AIADMK enlists benefits of bamboo, says hopes this would be taken into consideration while passing bill

Bijoya Chakraborty of Guwahati BJP said this bill will immensely help tribal people

Discussion begins in Lok Sabha on The Indian Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2017

Lok Sabha passes The Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill, 2017

Provisions of this bill violate rights of people, whose land is being acquired: MK Premchandran, RSP

No question of 'middle path' till PM Modi apologises, says Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury

With Parliament witnessing repeated adjournments over Narendra Modi's remarks against his predecessor Manmohan Singh, Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury on Wednesday said that there was "no question of a middle path" on the matter till the prime minister apologised for his comments.

"There is no question of middle path...The country's prime minister has alleged that the former prime minister has taken steps against the country and that too with the enemy nation. Don't you think it is an issue that calls for an apology?" Chowdhury told reporters.- PTI

 Lok Sabha informed of over 1,000 cases of people securing jobs using forged caste certificates 

Over 1,000 cases of people securing jobs using forged caste certificates have been reported by various central government departments, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. The Department of Personnel and Training had in June sought data from all central government organisations regarding appointments made on the basis of fake caste certificates.- PTI

AP Jithender Reddy of Telangana TRS brings focus to unused defence lands

Lok Sabha discusses the Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill, 2017

Mohammed Salim of CPM requests transparency in property amendment bill.

Lok Sabha functioning despite constant sloganeering by Congress MPs

The Lower House is currently being presided by Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai. The House is discussing the Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property Bill (Amendment), 2017. The bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha by Urban Development Hardeep Singh Puri. 

Meanwhile... sloganeering can be heard in the Lok Sabha too

Rajya Sabha adjourned until 11 am on Thursday

Both Houses are reconvened 

However, the Congress MPs have again created a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha over Narendra Modi's comment against Manmohan Singh. Some of the MPs descended to the well of the House. The slogans of "Narendra Modi maafi maango" are being echoed in the House. 

Lok Sabha too adjourned till 2 pm

Uproar continues in Rajya Sabha

Meanwhile... Lok Sabha has reconvened 

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm

Ruckus continues in Rajya Sabha

Congress MPs continue to create a ruckus in Rajya Sabha. All Congress MPs raise slogans against Modi. 

Rajya Sabha proceedings begin

Kerala JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP MP Veerendra Kumar resigns

Disgruntled Janata Dal-United leader MP Veerendra Kumar on Wednesday resigned from the Rajya Sabha, days after rebel JD-U leaders Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar were disqualified from the Upper House.

The 80-year-old, also a Karala media baron, submitted his resignation to Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday morning, Arun Kumar Shrivastava, also a rebel JD-U leader, told IANS.

Shrivastava said Veerendra Kumar, who was elected to the Upper House from Kerala last year with support from the Congress-led UDF, resigned "so that no one questions his integrity that he is aligning with (Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U President) Nitish Kumar".

Narendra Modi government looks to woo India's youth 

BJP booth-level workers should work towards ensuring victory

SP's Naresh Agarwal defends Rahul Gandhi after he watches movie on result day

Rajya Sabha too stands adjourned till noon

Venkaiah Naidu's plea to Congress MPs to go back to their seats fall on deaf ears. 

Ruckus in Rajya Sabha

Opposition leaders come to well of the Rajya Sabha to protest against Modi's comment on Manmohan. 

Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 pm

Opposition sloganeering against Narendra Modi continues

Rajya Sabha begins proceedings 

Day 3 of the Winter Session had some lively debate on GST

The Centre favours including petroleum products in the ambit of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) but it would want a consensus with the states before taking such a step, Finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Tuesday. 

Rajya Sabha passes amendment to the Companies Act, 2013

The Rajya Sabha passed the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2017 by a voice vote. It was adopted by the Lok Sabha in July this year during the Monsoon Session.

The bill amended the companies law to strengthen corporate governance standards, initiate strict action against defaulting companies and help improve ease of doing business in the country.

Rajya Sabha passes bill to give more autonomy to IIMs

The Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017 — which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July this year — grants statutory powers to the IIMs in their running including the appointment of directors and faculty members.

The bill gives them powers to award degrees instead of postgraduate diplomas.

WATCH: PM Modi being welcomed at the meeting

BJD MPs demand resolution to Mahanadi dispute

MoS Agriculture Krishna Raj rushed to RML hospital

Dharmendra Pradhan to table IIPE bill in Rajya Sabha

The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy Bill, 2017 will be tabled by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the Rajya Sabha.The bill will make it an institution of national importance. 

Government to table Indian Forests Bill in Lok Sabha

Government likely to meet Opposition leaders today

Times Now reports that the government may meet Opposition leaders in a bid to find an amiable solution to the deadlock that rose after Narendra Modi insinuated that Manmohan Singh and his colleagues met Pakistani delegation during elections.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for BJP parliamentary meet, will address MPs

Updates for 20 December begin

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 am tomorrow

Rajya Sabha passes The Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017

Jairam Ramesh questions how board of directors will be appointed at IIMs after new bill

Congress leader said that the government should describe how they plan the transition between the current boards at IIMs and the Board of Governors as proposed in the new bill. He also asked what would be the criteria for appointment of these governors. 

Lok Sabha concludes proceedings for the day, to reconvene tomorrow at 11 am

Lok Sabha passes Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill

Lok Sabha considering Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill

No proposal to make Aadhaar linkage mandatory for property, says govt

There was no proposal to make Aadhaar linkage mandatory for property transactions, Parliament was informed today.

Work on 10 waterways will be completed by 2018: Gadkari tells LS 

Gadkari told the Lok Sabha that a river traffic control system was already functioning between Haldia and Patna. He added that work on 10 waterways will be completed by 2018. 

Nitin Gadkari responds to questions raised on Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill

Naresh Agrawal says he supports IIM bill but questions lack of similar reforms in IITs, AICTE

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Agrawal said he would support the bill only for the fact that at least there was some will to bring about the change. He, however, lamented the lack of similar reforms in other educational institutes such as IITs or other higher education institutes. 

He also brought up the problems faced by students passing from regional language schools. 

Samajwadi Party's Naresh Aggarwal rises to speak

Lok Sabha members seek talks with China on Brahmaputra pollution; Ananth Kumar vows to raise issue at 'highest level'

After Lok Sabha members on Tuesday expressed concern over the Brahmaputra river being polluted by China, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar assured the House that he will take up the issue at the "highest level" in the government.

The matter was raised by Bhartruhari Mahtab of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) during Zero Hour. 

In Lok Sabha, Dushyant Chautala raises point of depleting water resources as House debates increasing budget for development of waterways

IIM Bill proposes greater autonomy to IIM

IIM amendment bill proposes larger autonomy for management institutes and provisions to allow them to grant postgraduate degree rather than a diploma

Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar presents IIM amendment bill

Uproar in Rajya Sabha, as Prakash Javadekar rises to present IIM amendment bill

Samajwadi Party's Naresh Aggarwal objected to the passage and debate on two bills in the same day, adding that it eats away the time of short duration discussions. After a brief exchange, Yadav only resumed his seat after being assured from the Treasury Benches that at least one short duration discussion will be held in the House. 

Rajya Sabha Companies (Amendment) Bill

Rabindra Kumar Jena of BJP asks Gadkari to route several waterway networks through Odisha

Jena said that the state of Odisha has since-long been discriminated agaist by the central government. He requested Gadkari to formulate schemes to include the state in the development of transport networks. 

"Odisha coast canal should be included in the national waterways to give the state the benefit of the revolutionary transport network," Jena said. 

In Rajya Sabha, MoS PP Chaudhary rises to answer queries on Companies Affairs amendment acts

Saugat Roy of TMC rises to speak on Central Road Fund Amendment bill, says party supports bill

"He is channeling money from one pocket to another pocket of his own ministry and we do not oppose it," Roy said. He said that since the money was being rerouted he will support the bill. 

On a lighter note, however, Roy wondered why, Rudy, the speaker before him was removed from the cabinet, even though he is a splendid speaker. 

He says that Gadkari used to be a vikas purush, but has now become a sapno ka saudagar (trader of dreams)." He said that whenever someone raises the point of funds, he says he will manage from foreign funds or here or there. 

Roy also demanded a white paper on the actual ground work done in his ministry. 

Rajeev Prasad Rudy praises Gadkari's work style, lauds plans for improving inland waterways

Meanwhile... Congress attacks Narendra Modi outside Parliament over PMs comments on Manmohan Singh

In Lok Sabha, Nitin Gadkar moves for amendment of Central Road Fund act

In Rajya Sabha, Tapan Sen of CPM says Company Affairs amendment bill inadequate

The CPM leader pointed out that the expenditure of CSR funds is not yet bounding on companies. He said that the Corporate Affairs Ministry merely accepts a mere explanation as to why money on CSR has not been spent. 

He also said that the bill allows same relaxations to SMEs as it does to big companies which "amounts to holding the country at ransom."  

Repealing of archaic bill(s) passed in Lower House

Section 377 needs democratic consensus to repeal

The minister conceded that there is merits in decriminalizing Section 377 but there is opposition to it as well. There needs to be democratic consensus to repeal it. We need to debate, discuss and decide.

Meanwhile in LS, Law Minister RS Prasad responds to objections and questions raised on repealment of archaic bills

One size can't fit all, says Vivek Gupta in Rajya Sabha

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Gupta also said that the government is trying to fit everyoe under a sigle law, while evidence from past points to the contrary. He said that small and medium enterprises continues to suffer and the Companies amendment bill has nothing to address that issue.

Vivek Gupta, AITC, says bill remains inconclusive

The bill will lead to conflict between two arms of the government. The removal of certain reasonable restriction will make money laundering easier," Gupta said. He said that the provision to give deposit security has been done away with, which is a serious problem. 

"This bill fails to address the differences between various acts like the RBI act, and SEBI act. There are various discrepancies which must be addressed," Gupta said. 

Samajwadi Party's Sanjay Seth suggests changes in Companies Amendment Bill

"Changes required to ensure that reserved seat for woman director is not occupied by family members of promoters," Seth said. He also raised the point of concentrated expenditure of CSR funds. "A lot of big companies are in Maharashtra, Gujarat. Hence CSR money is spent in those regions. CSR must be done in other regions of this country," he said. 

BJP's Narendra Keshav Sawaikar rises to support repealment of archaic law

Shiv Sena MP asks government to repeal Section 370

Shiv Sena in the Lower House, demanded that along with the 235 archaic laws, the government must also repeal Section 377, which grants Jammu and Kashmir special status. 

235 old laws to be repealed by this law!

Chidambaram says corporate governance leaves much to be desired

"Corporate Governance leaves much to be desired in India. May be it is a legacy issue in the country. The law is old. It took 15 years for us to bring the new law. In between, there were various excesses in corporate world. There have been no proper regulation of companies. So, there is much to be desired. Like, many companies do not pay taxes but are part of the Registrar," Chidambaram says while concluding his speech. 

235 old laws to be repealed by this law!

There is an undeclared Emergency now, says TMC MP

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee says, " While there is no doubt that the Emergency in 1975-77 affected many people, there is a kind of Emergency without even constitutionally declaring it nowadays. It is important to make a distinction between the official emergency in 1975 and the post-2014 situation," Banerjee adds. 

What will the Repealing and Amendment Bill, 2017 do?

This Bill seeks to repeal 131 Acts. Among the Acts that will be repealed, 30 are pre-Independence laws. This Bill also includes nine Ordinances promulgated before Independence.

P Chidambaram speaks on amendment to Companies Act

Chidambaram said that the Bill has noble objectives. However, he added that the relaxations given to small and medium companies under this law will apply to all companies because we have only one Companies Act. Chidambaram said that there is a need to consider having a separate comprehensive legislation for small and medium companies.

Bill being introduced in both Houses

The government has tabled the Companies Act (Amendment), 2017 in the Rajya Sabha. On the other hand, the government has introduced the Repealing and Amendment Bill, 2017 in the Lok Sabha. 

Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha reconvene

Rajya Sabha too is adjourned till 2 pm

Government condemns Congress in LS

"Not happy with what they did. That they came into the well is shameful. You can interrupt us but do not disrupt the proceedings. They insulted the Chair. Even Mallikarjuna Kharge disrupted the House. We condemn it." Ananth Kumar said. 

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm

Issue of Brahmaputra's contamination resonates in Lok Sabha

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The issue has been raised by several Assam MPs in Lok Sabha. Looking at the seriousness of the issue, Union Minister Ananth Kumar has assured the House that the Centre will look into the issue. 

Meanwhile in Lok Sabha

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Petroleum products not out of GST ambit 

"A constitutional bill has been passed. It stated that petroleum products is not out of the law. It is a part of GST but the decision to levy GST is concerned, it will be taken only after council takes decision. For that we need a 3/4th majority," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. 

P Chidambaram talks on GST on petroleum products

"When will the GST council decide to bring it under the ambit of GST? what is the position of the Centre?" the former finance minister asks. Chidambaram says that the Centre has a veto power over the decision taken by the council. 

He said that despite the crude oil prices falling, the price of diesel and petrol has remained the same. "Now that BJP is in power and at Centre, when will it bring the petroleum under GST?" he adds. 

JP Nadda speaks on AIIMS' quality 

Over a question whether the government is taking any steps to address the lack of medical infrastructure, Nadda says that AIIMS standards cannot be diluted. But he adds that there is a lack of faculty which is being addressed.

Jaitley to intervene in Manmohan-Modi spar

In Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley says, "Leaders of opposition shall be invited to discuss this issue." After his assurance, the House has been functioning smoothly. 

In Lok Sabha, Lalu Yadav's NSG cover issue is raised

JP Narayan Yadav of the RJD tells the House, "I request Lalu Prasad Yadav's NSG protection to be reinstated. He might be killed today. A lot of people adore him and he needs to be protected."

Lok Sabha update

The lower house is discussing matters of urgent public importance. 

Meanwhile in Lok Sabha

Some understanding required, says Venkaiah Naidu 

Chairman Venkaiah Naidu asks Congress to not raise the issue and disrupt the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha. He said that the issue needs to be sorted out with a discussion with the Leader of the House (Jaitley). 

Sloganeering continues in Lok Sabha

While the Lok Sabha reconvenes, the noise over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement continues to disturb the working of the House. 

Congress now creates ruckus 

In RS, Azad says if any leader is found to be guilty then punish them. "PM Modi maafi maango" is heard in the House. 

LOP Ghulam Nabi Azad speaks in RS

Azad raises the issue of alleged EVM tampering in Gujarat. He also raises the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi making insinuation against Manmohan Singh, Hamid Ansari and Mani Shankar Aiyar. 

Zero Hour ends in Rajya Sabha. Now Question Hour

Renaming of Dyal Singh College in Delhi is raised 

"Government believes in "sabka saath sabka vikaas". The committee is trying to create communal divide in the country. i request the government to replace the managing committee of Dyal Singh College in Delhi," SAD MP Naresh Gujaral says while requesting the government to not rename the institute "Vande Mataram College."

Congress opposes special courts for lawmakers

Anand Sharma of the Congress says, "If the perception is created that special courts are needed only for MPs, other people should not have to bear the brunt of it." He adds, "It has an inherent potential to be abused in entirety by the government of the day."

Declare Cyclone Okhi a national calamity: D Raja 

"The farming community in the coastal belt stands thoroughly devastated. I ask the government, 'Why can't you declare this as a national disaster? What is preventing this?'" CPI leader D Raja asks the government. 

Sloganeering continues from Congress MPs

Slogan shouting continued in the Lok Sabha as the Chair asked them not to disturb the Question Hour. "If you don't want the House to function, give that in writing,"  Mahajan said before adjourning the LS for half an hour. 

Lok Sabha adjourned till 12. PM

Make law to protect data privacy, says TMC

Speaking in RS, TMC MP Sukhendu Shekhar Roy urges government to protect the personal data linked to the Aadhar. He adds that privacy is a fundamental law and hence the government needs to make a law to protect the data from third party external organizations. 

Stubble burning issue finds a voice in Rajya Sabha

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Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Pratap Singh Bajwa asked the government to intervene in the stubble burning by the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. He also raised the issue of Sri Lankan cricketers wearing masks does not bode well for India's international reputation. 

Stubble burning issue finds a voice in Rajya Sabha

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Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Pratap Singh Bajwa asked the government to intervene in the stubble burning by the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. He also raised the issue of Sri Lankan cricketers wearing masks does not bode well for India's international reputation. 

SP taunts NDA in Rajya Sabha

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Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, SP MP Naresh Agarwal asks Arun Jaitley if the NDA government will create special trial courts to try those who defaulted on Rs 8 lakh crore. His statement came after the government sought to push a new law to expedite the trial of MLAs and MPs. 

Arun Jailtey slams Opposition 

Leader of House Arun Jaitley says, "Everybody must get speedy trials. Do we have vested interests in delaying trials of politicians?"

Opposition opposes law for creating special courts to try criminal lawmakers

Rajya Sabha update

While Derek O' Brien raises the issue of FRDI bill, Congress MP Anand Sharma talks about undertrials in India, urging the Modi government to do something to curb the issue. 

Ananth Kumar requests for calm

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar asks Congress MPs to not bring electoral issues into the House. 

Now, Congress MPs come to the well of the Lok Sabha 

Congress MPs shout 'Narendra Modi maafi maango' in Lok Sabha

Opposition creating ruckus in Lok Sabha

The Congress has moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha seeking an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his comment on Manmohan Singh.

FRDI Bill in the line of fire

The TMC has issued a notice for discussion on FRDI bill in Lok Sabha. 

Both Houses reconvene 

TMC MPs protest against FRDI bill 

Calling the FRDI bill anti-people, the Trinamool Congress and other Opposition parties are all set to corner the government over the law. 

WATCH: Rajya Sabha adjourned on Monday after Opposition ruckus

Two key bills expected to be moved in Lok Sabha

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While Nitin Gadkari is expected to move the Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill, Hardeep Puri is expected to do so with the Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill. 

RECAP: Three BJP MPs resign

While Yogi Adityanath and Keshav Prasad Maurya resigned as they shifted to Uttar Pradesh politics, Nana Patole had quit the party citing Modi government's indifference towards agrarian crisis. 

Updates for 19 December 2017 begin

Lok Sabha adjourned till 11 am on Tuesday

Lok Sabha continues to pass motions amid ruckus

The Opposition raises slogans demanding an apology from Narendra Modi ("Pradhan Mantri maafi mango"). Meanwhile the Speaker continues to run the House as numerous motions are passed in rapid fashion by voice votes.

Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings and adjourns within minutes

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 am on Tuesday after Opposition continued to raise slogans in the House.

​Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon amid Cong uproar over Modi's insinuations against Manmohan Singh

Lok Sabha adjourned after BJP member's statement

The Lok Sabha witnessed an adjournment minutes after it met on Monday amid an uproar, and Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House till 12 noon.

While opposition members were seen standing at their seats and protesting, from the treasury benches — BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, who had the first question listed against his name, said the Bharatiya Janata Party was headed for victory in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

"Congress has lost Himachal Pradesh, and I want to thank the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) for the unprecedented victory in Gujarat," Somaiya said

Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon

Rajya Sabha adjourned as well

The Upper House will resume proceedings at 12 noon.

Lok Sabha adjourned within minutes, reports CNN-News18

Narendra Modi arrives in Parliament

Updates for 18 December start here

Rajya Sabha reconvenes after third adjournment on the first day

Proceedings begin in Rajya Sabha

RECAP: Rajya Sabha witnessed two adjournments on first day

The Upper House witnessed two adjournments in the morning of the first day of the Winter Session. While it saw an adjournment for 20 minutes till noon in the beginning after Opposition uproar over disqualification of rebel JDU leaders Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar Ansari, the second one was over the Prime Minister's remarks.

Modi's Pakistan allegations against Manmohan Singh aren't ordinary: Azad

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad raises the issue of Modi's allegations against former prime minister Manmohan Singh and others of conspiring with Pakistan for Gujarat election. "Ye sadharan aarop nahi hai (This isn't a ordinary allegation)," Azad said. 

Naidu adjourns Rajya Sabha till 2.30 pm

Amit Shah makes debut in Rajya Sabha

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BJP chief Amit Shah made his debut in Parliament today. He was elected as a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat in August this year.

Shah has been allotted a front row seat of the treasury benches in the Rajya Sabha with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Shah will be occupying the seat held by M Venkaiah Naidu till he was elected as the Vice-President.

The notification for the new seating arrangements has been issued by the Rajya Sabha secretariat for new members. Shah's seat is on the other side of the aisle from Modi and BJP's leader of the house, Jaitley.

Why was Sharad Yadav disqualified?

Former JD(U) president Sharad Yadav on 12 December, 2017 moved the Delhi High Court seeking setting aside of his disqualification from the Rajya Sabha. Yadav, in his plea, said he was not given any chance by the authorities before passing an order against him.

Yadav, along with another MP Ali Anwar, was disqualified from the Rajya Sabha on 4 December. Yadav had joined hands with the Opposition after JD(U) president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar dumped the grand alliance with the RJD and the Congress in Bihar and tied up with the BJP in July this year.

The Rajya Sabha chairman had agreed to the JD(U)’s contention that the two senior leaders had “voluntarily given up” their membership by defying the party’s directives and attending events of Opposition parties.

The JD(U) had sought their disqualification on the grounds that they had attended a rally of Opposition parties in Patna in violation of its direction.

Yadav was elected to the House last year and his term was scheduled to end in 2022. Anwar’s term was to expire early next year.

Advocate Nizam Pasha, who filed the plea on the behalf of the leader, said the matter regarding which faction is the real Janta Dal was sub judice and a final decision is yet to be passed.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 pm

The Opposition forced the first adjournment of the Rajya Sabha as leaders stormed the well demanding an explanation over JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav's expulsion. The Upper House is adjourned till 12 pm. 

Ruckus in Rajya Sabha over Sharad Yadav's disqualification from Rajya Sabha

Opposition leaders in Rajya Sabha questioned the Chair's decision to disqualify senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav. Even as Chairman Venkaiah Naidu continued to tell the leaders of Opposition to sit down, Leader of Opposition in Upper House Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the Opposition did not intend to question the Chair's decision but demanded clarification on why was Yadav expelled from the Rajya Sabha. 

Lok Sabha adjourned for the day

After obit references, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the Lower House for the day. The House will meet again at 11 am on 18 December, 2017. Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly Election results will be announced on 18 December, as well. 

Mallikarjun Kharge responds to Modi's 'constructive session' appeal

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, in response to Narendra Modi's appeal for a constructive session, said, "We are always in favour of constructive suggestion. We are very much interested to run Parliament and issues to be discussed, provided the government should take interest and create such an atmosphere which is conducive for discussion. They should respect the opposition."

Meanwhile...

INLD Lok Sabha MP Dushyant Chautala rides a tractor to the Parliament

Watch: Modi addresses media ahead of Winter Session

I am confident that it will be a productive session: Narendra Modi

Hoping that the Winter Session will be a "constructive" one, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media and said, "The Winter Session of Parliament is starting and I am confident that it will be productive session. I hope there is constructive debate and we come up with innovative solutions to our nation's problems. May this Parliament Session contribute to the nation's growth. At yesterday's all-party meeting, we all were clear that we need to take the country ahead and this session should be used positively to achieve that."

Congress demands Modi's apology in Parliament

After bitter and acrimonious campaigning for Gujarat election, the Opposition, especially Congress, is up in arms and it is therefore expected that the first day of the Winter Session will be a stormy one.

Speaking to ANI, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "For the first time a prime minister has accused former prime minister, former vice-president and diplomats of conspiring with Pakistan for Gujarat elections. Modi must clarify in Parliament."

NDA meeting to take place at 4 pm in Parliament today 

Cabinet meeting to take place at 1 pm in Parliament today 

Legislative agenda for the Winter Session of Parliament