Both Houses Adjourned; Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill Passed in Lok Sabha
Catch all the live updates on the Monsoon Session of Parliament here.
Parliament Monsoon Session 2022 Live Updates
(Photo: Altered by The Quint)
Parliament Monsoon Session 2022 Live Updates: As Monsoon Session of the Parliament continues, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the Rajya Sabha on the price rise debate in the House on Tuesday, 2 August.
"Indian economy, compared to the situation in many developing economies, is definitely better. That doesn't mean we're running away from saying... because of the imported supply chain problems and global commodity prices, we are being impacted. These are realities and we are here to answer on them," the finance minister said in the Upper House.
Both Houses have been adjourned for the day.
"I think this is happening for the first time in the history of independent India that the rural inflation of the country is more than the urban inflation," AAP MP Raghav Chadha had said during the debate.
In the Lok Sabha, the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 is up for consideration and passing.
The Monsoon Session, which began on 18 July, is scheduled to end on 12 August
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the issue of price rise in the Lok Sabha, and said that there was no question of India falling into recession
The Rajya Sabha had passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022, on Monday
The Rajya Sabha on Monday had also passed the Weapon of Mass Destruction Bill amid sloganeering by the members of the Opposition who were protesting against the arrest of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut
Suspension of four Congress Lok Sabha MPs, who were suspended for the rest of the Monsoon Session, was revoked on the condition that they will not bring placards into the House
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)
Economy Showing 'Very Positive' Signs: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
The Indian economy is showing "very positive" signs, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. Here are some other remarks made by her in the Lok Sabha:
"India's eight infrastructure sectors, all of them grew in double digits for a second consecutive month in June."
"The gross NPAs of banks are at a six-year low of 5.9 percent. India's debt to GDP ratio at 56.21 percent in FY22, much lower than many nations."
"Prices of edible oils have corrected sharply following steps taken by government."
"We expect the industry to invest Rs 2-3 lakh crore in two years on 5G and 4G."
"India has sufficient forex reserves; economic fundamentals are perfect."
Sitharaman's Speech 'Disappointing': Manish Tiwari
Congress leader Manish Tiwari on Monday called Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's reply in Lok Sabha over price rise "disappointing."
"Finance Minister's reply was disappointing. Attitude of govt is there is no inflation in country, people are not suffering. Everything is hunky dory. If that's your response to concerns of Opposition articulating the voice of 140 crore people in the country, why listen?" he said.
BJP’s Parliamentary Party Meeting
Parliamentary party meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was held in the Parliament Library building in Delhi on Tuesday.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the BJP chief JP Nadda discussed 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' and programmes to be conducted from 9 August to 15 August, including campaigning for 'Har Ghar Tiranga'.
He said, "Various cultural programmes will be conducted. Tiranga bike rally for MPs to be taken out from Red Fort to Parliament."
Joshi further said, "We will be meeting again on 5 August regarding vice-presidential polls."
‘There Is No Collapse of the Rupee:’ Finance Minister in RS
Rajya Sabha MP Luizinho Faleiro said, "In the last 6 months, rupee has depreciated 28 times by 34 percent. Can the minister assure us that something will be done by the government to arrest the collapse of the rupee?"
She added, "If you compare the rupee with other currencies, it is appreciating in its value. Let’s understand the context...there is no collapse."
While answering another question by Congress leader Vivek Tankha, Sitharaman said, “Interventions which are happening from the RBI side are for containing the volatility which is happening between the Indian rupee and dollar. Even the intervention being made is not to determine the value - increase it or decrease it for the rupee. It is to allow it to find its course."
'No Need To Be Scared’: Health Minister on Monkeypox
While answering a question in the Upper House, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, "No disease should be taken lightly. In case of monkeypox disease as well, awareness is important. Indian government has constituted a task force under NITI Aayog. It happens through deep contact. One should take all precautions. However, there is no need to be scared."
Lok Sabha Adjourned Till 2 pm
The Lower House was adjourned till 2 pm.
Rajya Sabha Adjourned Till 2 pm
The Upper House was adjourned till 2 pm.
2019 to 2021, 81 Chinese Nationals Given ‘Leave India Notice’: MoS Home
MoS Home Nityanand Rai told Lok Sabha on Tuesday, "Govt maintains records of such foreigners (including Chinese nationals) who enter with valid travel documents. Some of such foreigners overstay beyond visa period owing to ignorance or under compelling circumstances like medical emergency or other personal reasons."
He added, "Where overstay is found to be intentional or unjustifiable, appropriate action is taken as per the Foreigners Act 1946 including issuance of Leave India Notice to the foreigner and charging penalty/visa fee. During 2019 to 2021, 81 Chinese nationals were given 'Leave India Notice', 117 were deported and 726 were placed in adverse list for violating visa conditions and other illegal acts."
Data on Acid Attacks on Women
MoS Home Ajay Kumar Mishra said on Wednesday, "As per data published by National Crime Records Bureau, a total of 131, 150 and 105 cases were registered in 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively for acid attack on women. A total of 28, 16 and 18 persons were convicted in the year 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively."
Discussion on Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021 Underway in LS
Discussion on the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021, is currently underway in the Lok Sabha for consideration and passing.
'No Such Proposal Under Consideration': Home Ministry on Allowing States To Conduct Census
"There is no such proposal under consideration in the ministry," Union Minister of State Nityanand Rai said in response to query on whether the Centre may permit the state government to conduct the Census.
'3 Monkeypox Cases Reported From Delhi': Health Minister
"As on 1st August, eight confirmed cases (including one death) of Monkeypox disease, four from Kerala and three cases from Delhi have been reported so far," Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in the Rajya Sabha.
'Wanted To Tell Finance Minister About This Book': RJD MP Mentions Book on Economics
"I wanted to tell the honourable finance minister about this book, 'Marx, Capital and the Madness of Economic Reason'," RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha said.. "This book talks about the madness of economic reason, here there is madness of economic unreason," he added.
"I know you have won the elections but... There should be a discussion on the inflation in healthcare," Jha said in the Parliament.
Govt Not Able To See Inflation as It Wears 'Blindfolds of Arrogance': Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that the government will not be able to see inflation as it is wearing the "blindfolds of arrogance" and selling the country's property in "free fund" to friends.
A day after the debate on price rise in the Lok Sabha, the former Congress president put out posts on Twitter and Facebook to attack the government on the issue.
In an apparent reference to BJP leader Jayant Sinha asserting during the debate that the Opposition is looking for 'mehngai" but has been unable to find it, Gandhi tweeted, "Well, how will they see inflation? Wearing blindfolds of arrogance, they are selling the country's property in 'free fund' to 'friends'." In his tweet in Hindi, Gandhi said the BJP-led government, busy celebrating 'Amrit kaal', said in the House that there is no 'mehngai' in the country.
He also shared a table comparing the prices of essential commodities from 2019 to 2022.
4,800 Arrested for Promoting Enmity on Grounds of Religion, Race in 2018-20: Home Ministry
Nearly 4,800 people were arrested across the country for the offence of promoting enmity between groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth between 2018 and 2020, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai also said that 17 cases were registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on charges of hurting religious sentiments and promoting enmity in the last six years.
Rai said 1,763 people were arrested in different parts of the country in 2020 for offence relating to promoting enmity between groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, 1,315 people were arrested in 2019 and 1,716 in 2018.
'MHA Has Taken Steps To Address Issues of Under Trial Prisoners': Centre
There is no specific proposal under consideration for the release of prisoners who have completed their rigorous life imprisonment tenure, the Centre told the Lok Sabha.
"The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also taken various steps to address the issues relating to under trial prisoners. MHA has issued several advisories to States and UTs for adopting appropriate measures to provide legal assistance to under trial prisoners," it said in response to a query.
'1st Time in Independent India's History That Rural Inflation Is More Than Urban Inflation': AAP's Raghav Chadha
"I am the youngest and the newest member of this House, please give me 5-7 minutes to speak," AAP MP Raghav Chadha said at the opening of his remarks on price rise in the Rajya Sabha.
"Punjab's farmers, the country's farmers are taking the double-hitting of inflation – as a producer and as a consumer. The cost of food production has gone up by nearly 21 percent. But, the MSP and the earning of the farmers hasn't increased as was promised," Chadha stated.
"I think this is happening for the first time in the history of independent India that the rural inflation of the country is more than the urban inflation. That means its cheaper to live in cities than it is in villages," he said.
'Like Raavan's 10 Heads': Raghav Chadha Lists 7 Causes of Indian Inflation
"Inflation has also been called taxation without legislation. Like Raavana had ten heads, India's inflation has seven. I want to speak on all 7," AAP MP Raghav Chadha said in the Rajya Sabha.
He listed the 'seven heads' as follows:
Tax on energy
Service inflation
Burden of GST
Cause-pull inflation
Increase of prices at a rate more than increase in income
Falling rupee
Corporate-government tussle
'Heavens Won't Fall, Sir': Raghav Chadha Tells RS Chairman
After the Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu interrupted Raghav Chadha's speech on price rise due to time constraints, the AAP MP begged for more time to conclude his remarks and said, "The heavens won't fall, sir."
However, he was not allowed to speak further. Naidu said that he had to give time to 14 more members of the House to speak.
Discussion on Wild Life Protection Bill in Lok Sabha
The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 was taken up for consideration in Lok Sabha on Tuesday with the ruling BJP asserting that it would put India at the forefront of the battle to save the ecosystems of the world and the Opposition pushing for incorporating the suggestions of a parliamentary panel.
Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav moved the bill for consideration and passage when the House reassembled at 2 pm.
Initiating the debate on the bill, Congress MP Pradyut Bardoloi hailed the role of former prime minister Indira Gandhi in conservation efforts.
He also flagged the issue of people in Assam who were not getting benefits despite agarwood being used in a big way.
Participating in the debate, DMK's A Raja said the minister's intention was laudable but the government's implementation still raises question marks.
He said the role of the states has not been given enough attention in the amendments. Raja also said the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has not had a meeting for eight years but more authorities and panels have been created in the bill.
Govt To Give Financial Assistance for Solar Agri Pumps Under PM-KUSUM
The finance ministry has agreed to a proposal on the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to solar pumps up to 15 horse power capacity in the north-eastern and Himalayan states, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.
In 2019, the government launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme with 3 components.
Under the B component, individual farmers will be supported to install standalone solar agriculture pumps of capacity up to 7.5 Horse Power (HP) for replacement of existing diesel agriculture pumps/irrigation systems in off-grid areas, where grid supply is not available.
Duration of Lok Sabha Extended for Today
"Honourable members, the duration of the session of the House has been extended till the end of the discussion on this," Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, as a debate is underway in the House on the passing of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021.
Nirmala Sitharaman Addresses Rajya Sabha on Price Rise Debate
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is addressing the Rajya Sabha on the price rise debate in the House.
'Nobody Is in Denial': Sitharaman on Situation of Economy
"Indian economy, compared to situation prevailing in many of our peer groups and in many of developed economies, is definitely better. That doesn't mean we're running away from saying... because of the imported supply chain problems and global commodity prices, we are being impacted. These are realities and we are here to answer on them," the finance minister said in the Upper House.
"Nobody is in denial," she added.
"Our inflation rate has a band. Four is the median point. Minus 2 or plus 2 is usually accommodated. We are at 7 with some effort, or slightly more than 7. We have made sure that the government and the RBI have taken steps to keep the inflation below 7, ideally below 6. So nobody is denying," Sitharaman stated.
Sitharaman Brings Up Economies of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan
"There was a time when we were quoted repeatedly – Bangladesh is doing well, you are not... The per capita GDP at PPP in 2013 for Bangladesh was USD 3,143 but it was USD 5,057 in the same period. In 2021, Bangladesh's per capita GDP at PPP is USD 6,613 whereas ours is USD 7,334," the finance minister told the Rajya Sabha.
Our macro economic fundamentals are strong, she said, citing foreign loans being sought by Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan to stay afloat.
'Bringing Up Adanis & Ambanis Politicises Debate': Nirmala Sitharaman
"But to attribute to us, that you are not doing anything for the poor, you're always for the Ambanis and the Adanis – sorry, I'm compelled to take the names – is absolutely politicising a debate which is so necessary for the country," Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in the Rajya Sabha.
"Each one of us is contributing to the recovery process," she said.
TMC MPs Stage Walkout as Sitharaman Speaks
TMC MPs walks out of the Rajya Sabha as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman replies to the discussion on price rise in the Rajya Sabha.
Lok Sabha Passes Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021
The Lok Sabha passed the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021, by voice vote.
Lok Sabha Adjourned
The Lok Sabha was adjourned till Wednesday.
'All States Agreed To Levy 5% GST on Labelled Food Items': FM Defends GST Policy
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, defending the levy on food items, said, "Every state taxed some or the other food items such as cereal, pulses, curd, lassi, buttermilk."
Here are some other related remarks made by her:
There is no GST on withdrawal of cash from banks
GST tax only on bank purchasing cheque book from printer; no tax on customer cheques
All states at the GST Council agreed to proposal to levy 5 percent GST on pre-packed, labelled food items; not one person who spoke against
No GST on hospital bed or ICU, tax only on room with Rs 5,000 per day rent
No GST on crematorium; tax only on construction of new crematorium
"The latest 47th meeting which was held in Chandigarh, it's a matter of record that all states agreed to the proposal. There was not even a single disagreement," she added.
'Have Contained Rates of Tomato, Onion, Potato': Finance Minister
"We have contained the prices of tomato, onion, and potato," said Sitharaman, comparing the rates of the same with those in November 2013, when the price of onion had touched Rs 100 a kilo.
"Whether I eat onions or not, we work to make sure it is affordable for everyone," she said.
Rajya Sabha Adjourned
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's reply to the debate on price rise.