Winter Session: After Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabja Adjourned Sine Die
The winter session is scheduled to go on till 13 December.
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The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned sine die, a short while after ruckus in the Lok Sabha over Rahul Gandhi’s “rape in India” comment led to the Lok Sabha being adjourned sine die on Friday, 13 December. This brings to an end the Winter session of Parliament.
Earlier on Friday, leaders paid tributes to the people who lost their lives on this day in the 2001 Parliament attack.
- The Winter Session is scheduled to go on till 13 December
- The Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019 was passed in Rajya Sabha by voice vote on Monday
- The Lok Sabha has passed the Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu Bill 2019, seeking to merge the two UTs
- The controversial Transgender (Protection of Rights) Bill 2019 was also passed during this Winter Session
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Cong MP Raises Issue of Waiver of Education Loans in Lok Sabha
Congress MP Manish Tewari, during a question on waiver of education loans, told the Lok Sabha that unemployment rate today is at a 45-year high.
He asked that, given the current economic slowdown, will the government consider maintaining a central database where they have information about those who have availed education loans or not?
BJP Demands Apology from Congress MP for Behaviour Towards Smriti Irani
As the parliament sat for another day during the Winter Session on Monday, 9 December, 2019 the Bharatiya Janata Party demanded an apology from Congress MP's for their alleged misconduct with Union Minister Smriti Irani in the House on Friday, 6 December.
LS Passes Bill for Stringent Punishment to Those Possessing Illegal Arms, Indulging in Celebratory Gunfire
A Bill providing the maximum punishment of life imprisonment for manufacturing and carrying illegal arms was approved by Lok Sabha on Monday, 9 December.
Piloted by Home Minister Amit Shah, the Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019 also ensures that those using firearms in a rash or negligent manner in celebratory gunfire, endangering human life or personal safety of others, shall be punishable with an imprisonment to two years or with fine which may extend to Rs one lakh or with both.
The Bill was passed by the Lower House after rejecting several amendments moved by the Opposition members.
The home minister said that the Bill has been accorded special status to sportspersons who need firearms and ammunition for practice and participating in tournaments.
"They (sports persons) will be entitled to get licences for different types of firearms," Shah added.
Under the proposed provision, a person can have a maximum of two firearms, as against the present norm of three, he added.
SPG Bill, Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman Diu Bill 2019 Get President's Nod
President has given his assent to the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Bill, 2019.
President has also given his assent to the Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill 2019, reported ANI.
Cong MP Moves Zero Hour Notice Over Rise in Onion Prices
Congress MP Chhaya Verma on Tuesday moved a Zero Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over 'unprecedented rise in price of onions in the country,' news agency ANI reported.
BJD MP Moves Zero Hour Notice in RS Over 2019 Global Hunger Index
Biju Janata Dal MP Prasanna Acharya on Tuesday moved a Zero Hour Notice in the Rajya Sabha over the 'alarming position of India in 2019 Global Hunger Index.'
BJP MP Moves Zero Hour Notice Over Demand of Padma Award for Late Mathematician
BJP MP RK Sinha moved a Zero Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday over a demand for a Padma Award and renaming of Patna University to honour late Mathematician Vashishtha Narayan Singh.
CAB to be Tabled in Rajya Sabha on 11 December: Sources
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which was cleared by the Lok Sabha on the intervening night of 9-10 December, will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, according to sources cited by news agency ANI.
Amid reports of the Upper House taking up the bill, protests were held by Left parties outside Parliament on Tuesday.
TMC MP Saugata Roy Moves Adjournment Motion Over JNU Lathicharge
TMC MP Saugata Roy on Tuesday gave an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha over the "brutal lathicharge on Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students by Delhi Police on Monday, 9 December."
Cong Moves Adjournment Motion Over Violence Against Women, SC/STs
Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh submitted an Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, 10 December, over 'violence on women, children, SC/STs in the country'.
Home Minister Amit Shah Takes Questions on Jammu and Kashmir
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing the Lok Sabha, answered questions on the Infiltration of Militants in Jammu and Kashmir. While answering the question, the Home Minister said that the situation in the area is completely normal. He further said that the problem is with the Opposition since they predicted bloodshed. "Nothing of that sort happened, not one bullet was fired."
Further, Shah answered to Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, saying that 99.5 percent students in J&K sat for their examination, and 7 lakh people and that 7 lakh people have availed OPD services in Srinagar is a clear indicator that things are normal in the region.
Upon being asked about the politicians held in detention in the area, Shah said that the government doesn't want to keep them even a day extra. "Whenever the administration thinks is the right time, the political leaders will be released," he said.
"Farooq Abdullah's father was kept in jail for 11 years by Congress, we dont want to follow them, as soon as admin decides, they will be released."
‘From Make in India, to Rape in India’: Cong MP Slams PM Modi Over Silence on Violence Against Women
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary, while speaking on women’s safety in the Lok Sabha, said that its unfortunate that the Prime Minister who speaks on everything, is silent on crimes against women.
No Proposal for Reservation in Private Sector Under Consideration: Ministry of Social Justice
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, on whether the government has taken steps for providing reservation in private sector, said that as per information provided by Dept for Promotion of Industrial and Internal Trade, no such proposal for reservation in private sector is under consideration.
LS Passes Bill to Extend SC-ST Quota in Legislatures
Lok Sabha on Tuesday unanimously passed a Constitution amendment bill to extend reservation to SCs and STs in Lok Sabha and state assemblies by another 10 years even though the opposition slammed the government for not giving the benefit to the Anglo-Indian community.
Responding to the debate on the Constitution (126th) Amendment Bill, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asserted that quota in legislatures for SCs and STs was required to build a new political leadership of the two communities.
52,720 Integrated GST Refund Claims Pending for More Than One Year: Thakur
As many as 52,720 Integrated GST (IGST) refund claims are pending for more than one year, Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur informed Parliament on Tuesday, reported PTI.
The reasons for this pendency include non-submission of required documents by the applicants, he said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.
A number of companies applied for Goods and Services Tax (GST) refund since the introduction of the tax regime, he said, adding a total of 1,86,158 entities have filed 36,42,272 refund applications, out of which 34,46,010 refund applications have been finalised as on 2 December.
Govt Proposes to Send Personal Data Protection Bill to Joint Select Committee of Both Houses of Parliament
The government on Wednesday, 11 December, proposed sending the Personal Data Protection Bill to a joint select committee of both the Houses of Parliament amid protests by the opposition, which said the right of privacy of citizens is being compromised.
Even before the bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the government will bring a resolution in the House to refer it to a joint select committee of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
He said the proposed committee could bring out a report before the Budget session, which usually begins in the last week of January.
Shashi Tharoor of the Congress, who heads the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Technology, protested the move and said it should be referred to his panel.
Prasad said the joint panel will have the sole agenda of going through the bill as the parliamentary standing committee has other bills to scrutinise.
TRS, Shiv Sena, TMC Protest in Lok Sabha over GST Dues
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Shiv Sena and Trinamool Congress (TMC) members demanded in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that the Centre release the GST dues to the states.
As soon as the Question Hour commenced, the TRS members stood up with posters asking for the release of the dues related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST). They also raised slogans. They were joined by the members of the TMC and the Sena.
When the GST was introduced from July 1, 2017, the Centre had assured the states through a legislation that the revenue shortfall arising from their taxes being subsumed in the new indirect tax will be compensated fully for the first five years.
But the compensation to the states has not been paid since August.
Govt Carrying out Reforms to Boost Economy: Goyal
The government has carried out a number of reforms in various sectors and it is a continuous process for improvement in the economy, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
He said some of the reforms were by way of amendments in various acts such as the Finance (Amendment) Bills, the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, amendments in the Goods and Services Tax Act and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
"The government has already carried out a number of reforms in various sectors and the reform process is a continuous process for improvement in the economy," Goyal said during the Question Hour.
Centre Taking Steps for Development of Mining Sector: Govt Tells LS
The Centre has taken a number of steps for the development of mining sector in the country, including formulating a new mineral policy, Union Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi said in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The minister said the central government has also amended the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017 and the concept of star rating and the period to achieve it has been modified considering the problems faced by the medium and small mine owners.
"The central government has taken various steps for development of mining sector in the country. The central government has also formulated National Mineral Policy, 2019 for a vibrant and forward looking mineral sector," he said during Question Hour.
Bill to Set up Central Sanskrit Universities Introduced in LS
A bill to set up central Sanskrit universities was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The Bill, moved by HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', seeks to convert three Sanskrit deemed universities presently functioning in the country into central universities.
The three Sanskrit deemed universities that will be converted into central universities include the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan and the Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth in New Delhi and the Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth in Tirupati.
Rajya Sabha Passes Bill to Include Certain Communities from Karnataka in ST List
A bill to include certain tribal communities in Karnataka into Scheduled Tribe category was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed in the Upper House with voice vote. The bill seeks to include Parivara and Talawara tribal communities in ST category to ensure they get the reservation and other benefits provided by the government.
The amendments have been made in the list of STs in Karnataka.
Parliament Passes Bill to Set Up Unified Body to Regulate IFSCs
Parliament on Thursday passed a bill to set up a unified authority for regulating all financial activities in international financial services centres (IFSCs) in the country.
The Rajya Sabha passed the bill by a voice vote. The Lok Sabha had approved the proposed legislation on 11 December.
The first IFSC in India has been set up at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Parliament Passes Bill to Extend SC/ST Reservation in Legislatures
Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed a Constitution amendment bill to extend reservation to SCs and STs in Lok Sabha and state assemblies by another 10 years.
Lok Sabha had passed the bill on 10 December.
Reservation for members of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), given for the past 70 years in Lok Sabha and state assemblies, is due to end on January 25, 2020.
The bill, which saw heated exchange between the treasury and opposition benches, was approved unanimously in Rajya Sabha.
RS Nominates 10 Members for Joint Parl Panel on Personal Data Protection Bill
The Rajya Sabha passed a resolution to nominate its 10 members for a joint parliamentary committee which would review the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019.
A resolution moved by Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in this regard was passed by the Rajya Sabha by a voice vote.
Nation Salutes Courage of Martyrs of 2001 Parliament Attack: President
President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday paid tributes to the people who lost their lives on this day in the 2001 Parliament attack.
'Terrorism and Violence Have No Place in a Civilised Society': Mamata Banerjee
Mamata Banerjee tweeted on Friday, saying that “terrorism and violence have no place in civilised society.”
PM Modi, Other Parliamentarians Pay Tribute to Martyrs in 2001 Parliament Attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other parliamentarians pays tribute to those who lost their lives in 2001 Parliament attack.
Adjournment Motion Notice in LS
Congress and Indian Union Muslim League has given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha over 'Protest in Assam and other parts of the country against implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act'.
Rajnath Singh, Vice President Pay Tributes
Ruckus in LS Over Rahul Gandhi's 'Rape in India' Remark
Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Rape in India’ comment has triggered a ruckus in the Lok Sabha, with the BJP accusing him of insulting all women with his comments and seeking an apology from him.
Smriti Irani, attacking Gandhi, said: “This is first time in history that a leader is giving a clarion call that Indian women should be raped. Is this Rahul Gandhi's message to the people of the country? ”
She further called for Gandhi to be punished, while BJP MPs raised "Rahul apologise" slogans in the House.
Gandhi, in a public rally on Thursday, had said: "Narendra Modi had said 'Make in India' but nowadays wherever you look, it is 'Rape in India'. In Uttar Pradesh Narendra Modi's MLA raped a woman, then she met with an accident but Narendra Modi did not utter a word.”
'Rahul Gandhi Cannot Be So Ignorant': Smriti Irani
“Rahul Gandhi cannot be so ignorant... I am shocked!,” Smriti Irani further responded the "rape in India" remark as the House continued to remain chaotic over Gandhi’s comments.
Rahul Gandhi's Comment Raised in RS
A few MPs in Rajya Sabha raised slogans of 'Rahul Gandhi maafi maango' over the Congress leaders “rape in India” remark. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said, "You cannot take the name of a person who is not a member of this House. Nobody has the business to disturb the House".
Lok Sabha Adjourned Till 12 Noon
As members of the Lok Sabha continued to argue chaotically over Gandhi’s comments and raised slogans, the Speaker adjourned the House till 12 noon.
Rajya Sabha has also been adjourned.
Rajnath Singh Hits Out at Gandhi
"I am hurt, the whole country is hurt. Should people who use such words be allowed into the House? He should apologise to not just the House but to the nation," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lashed out in response to Rahul Gandhi's 'rape in India' comment.
Lok Sabha Adjourned Sine Die
The Winter Session of the Lok Sabha concluded on Friday, with Speaker Om Birla adjourning the proceedings sine die.
As the Speaker was reading out his remarks over various issues taken up during the session, the treasury benches were seen demanding an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his “rape in India” remark.
Opposition members were also heard shouting slogans such as 'we want justice' and demanded that Gandhi should be given a chance to respond.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi were present in the House.
Rajya Sabha Adjourned Till 1 PM
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 1 pm.
'I Will Not Apologise': Rahul Gandhi
“I will not apologise,” Rahul Gandhi said on Friday after ruckus in Lok Sabha over his “rape in India” remark.
"This is PM Modi, Amit Shah, and BJP's attempt to divert attention from the Northeast protests,” Gandhi said, responding to BJP demanding an apology for his comments.
Rajya Sabha Adjourned Sine Die
The historic 250th session of the Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on Friday after Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu summed it up as one marked by 'seriousness and brevity'.
He complimented the members for making this session productive and for improving the quality of debates.
"I am overall happy for this session, but for the small disappointment which also could have been avoided," he told the House during his valedictory address at the completion of the 250th session.
He said while the last session recorded productivity of 104 percent by availing more than available time for transacting business, this session too has clocked 100 percent productivity.
"This is perhaps for the first time that this House has recorded 100 percent productivity for two successive sessions. For me, this is a certain proof of this ship being steadied and all of you deserve credit for it," Naidu said.