Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved two Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bills in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, 21 March. Rajya Sabha has since returned the two bills to the Lok Sabha.
Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi raised a question in the Rajya Sabha about Indian Oil Corporation's investment in Russian oil, Rosneft, which British Petroleum has exited. Calling the query "timely and pertinent," Oil Minister Hardeep Puri said "We are monitoring the situation."
While a Question Hour was held in the Lok Sabha, 'matters of urgent public importance' were raised in the Upper House.
The Budget session of the Parliament resumed at 11 am on Monday after a break of four days
The second leg of the session is scheduled from 14 March to 8 April. Standing committees evaluated budgetary allocations in the recess after the first leg ended on 11 February
Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Monday raised a demand in the Rajya Sabha for a clear policy on the third dose of COVID-19 vaccination in India
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FM Sitharaman Speaks on EPFO Rates in RS
"EPFO has a central board which is the one that takes the call on what rate has to be given for them and they have not changed it for quite some time. They have changed it now, from 8.4% it has come down to 8.1%," Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in the Rajya Sabha.
"It's a decision taken by Central Board in which representatives of the various segments which are part of the EPFO are all seated in the board, inclusive of workers representatives, management representatives, Government representatives. They have taken this call to bring it down to 8.1%," she added.
"For 40 years the rate hadn't been brought down. There are today's realities that do keep us in the context of decisions that are being taken up by the Central Board of EPFO. It is yet to come to Finance Ministry for approval," Sitharaman said.
No Defence Procurement Happened Under UPA: FM in Rajya Sabha
"For 10 years nil defence procurement happened under UPA, from pin to aircraft had to be ordered," said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
Speed Up Construction of Border Roads in North Bengal: BJP Member
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Raju Bista, BJP member from Darjeeling on Monday urged the Centre to speed up the construction of alternative highway from Siliguri to Darjeeling, border roads in north Bengal and at the north-eastern states, reported news agency PTI.
The BJP member also asked the Centre to speed up construction of new bridge to replace 100 year old Coronation Bridge, an important link between north Bengal and the north east.
Lok Sabha Proceedings Extended Till 8 pm
The Lok Sabha proceedings have been extended till 8 pm on Monday. The lower house is holding talks on the demands for grants for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.