Updates from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on Day 15 of the Monsoon Session of Parliament
Updates from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on Day 15 of the Monsoon Session of Parliament
Day 15 of the Monsoon Session again began with continued Opposition protests. Both the Houses saw adjornments within the first hour of commencement of the Houses. While the Rajya Sabha was declared adjourned till 11.30 a.m. as soon as it assembled on Friday, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 p.m. as Opposition members continued to raise slogans against government policies. After reassembling, the Upper House moved and adopted a Motion for Election to the Committee on Public Accounts and discussed recruitment to the Northeast Frontier Railway. The Lok Sabha, on the other hand, took up Zero Hour even as Opposition protests continued in the Lower House after it reassembled.
Both Houses have been adjourned for lunch. The Lok Sabha will reconvene at 2 p.m., and the Rajya Sabha will resume proceedings at 2:30 p.m.
On Day 14 of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, members of the Opposition continued their protests against the government over its alleged misuse of central agencies as both Houses met with frequent adjournments due to the sloganeering. While the Rajya Sabha passed the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022, on the day, the Lok Sabha was adjourned due to Opposition protests.
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On Day 15, the Lok Sabha is scheduled to introduce the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022. The Lower House will also discuss the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and Anti Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019 for consideration and passing. The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will take up Private Members’ resolutions.
Live updates:
Rajya Sabha| 3:37 p.m.
‘Each rupee should reach base’: BJP MP
Dr Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, BJP MP, says that Kerala doesn’t have a right to health, but still has a good system. For this, it is necessary to ensure that each rupee reaches where it is supposed to, he says. He praises Modi’s governance and policies related to health.
Some members express concern about the time allotted to speakers. Chair Vandana Chavan allows members to speak for longer since some members are absent.
Lok Sabha | 3:25 p.m.
Opposition MPs point to fallacies in Bill
With Bhartruhari Mahtab in the Chair, BSP MP Girish Chandra opposes the Bill claiming that several fake companies selling cheap solar lamps are circulating in the country. Seeking higher penalties on such companies, he urged the Union Minister to include appropriate clauses.
TRS MP Gaddam Ranjith Reddy accepts the five promises made by PM Narendra Modi at COP 26 but condemns the Centre’s punitive action on Opposition-ruled states like Telangana. Highlighting that power is a concurrent subject, Mr. Reddy seeks better state govt say in the issue. He also opposes the new Electricity rules which changes meter readings of farmers and disagrees with the state generating companies’ clause in the Bill.
Deliberation on the Bill to continue on the next day.
Rajya Sabha| 3:08 p.m.
‘We have an international obligation to health’: MP Jawhar Sircar
Jawhar Sircar, MP from Trinamool Congress, requested the House to consider the Bill favourably. “We passed a bill recently on the grounds that we should fall in with international obligations,” he said, referring to the bill about Weapons of Mass Destruction.
“We also have an international obligation to health,” he added.
He also urged the government to make a plan of action for the next five years with the cooperation of the House and the goodwill of the people
He pointed out that we will soon occupy the status of the world’s largest nation, and said that we should “make it a demographic dividend and not make it a demographic disaster.”
Lok Sabha | 2:58 p.m.
‘Reduce GST on renewable energy’: Jayadev Galla
TDP MP Jayadev Galla supports the Bill but asks Finance Minister to reduce the GST on renewable energy from 12% to the 5-10% band. Raising energy storage issues and Green Hydrogen, he urges the Centre to invest in research & development of such technologies. Similar to Ms. Moitra, Mr. Galla also notes the increased investment in solar manufacturing, but pushes for wind, biomass and hydro power.
Rajya Sabha| 2:50 p.m.
The Right to Health Bill, 2021 under consideration
The House takes up the Right to Health Bill, 2021, for discussion. Prior to this, the Chair wishes MP Manoj Kumar Jha for his birthday.
Prof. Manoj Kumar Jha on July 22 raised the motion “that the Bill to provide for health as a fundamental right to all citizens and to ensure equitable access and maintenance of a standard of physical and mental health conducive to living a life in dignity and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, be taken into consideration.” This is presently under deliberation.
CPI’s Sandosh Kumar P rises to support the bill and asks why his colleagues in the House are questioning making health a fundamental right.
Lok Sabha | 2:46 p.m.
‘How will India’s cooling demand be met?’: Mahua Moitra
TMC MP Mahua Moitra seeks clarification on how the Amendment will address concerns of India’s cooling demand. Citing the 2019 India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) report, Ms. Moitra states that India’s cooling demand will increase by 30% by 2030 and seeks inclusion of better star rating in appliances in the Bill.
She also suggests dividing India into two time zones to match humans’ energy demands and circadian rhythms, thus saving energy. Seeking promotion of other renewable sources like wind, water, biomass and hot springs along with solar, she raises energy storage issues. Stating that the Bill is a step in the right direction, she urges the Ministry to implement suggestions of other power reports.
Rajya Sabha| 2:45 p.m
Private Member’s Bills introduced in Rajya Sabha
The following Bills were introduced by MPs in the Rajya Sabha:
DEREK O’ BRIEN- The Epidemic Diseases (Prevention, Preparedness and Management) Bill, 2021.
DEREK O’ BRIEN- The Information Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
HARNATH SINGH YADAV – The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Repeal Bill, 2022.
SANDOSH KUMAR – The Reserve Bank of India (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
SANDOSH KUMAR- The National Employment Guarantee Bill, 2022.
V.VIJAYASAI REDDY- The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (insertion of new article 3A).
V.VIJAYASAI REDDY- The Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
V.VIJAYASAI REDDY- The Press Council (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
DR. V. SIVADASAN- The Protection of the State Resources Bill, 2022.
RAGHAV CHADHA- The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (amendment of articles 102, 191 etc.).
RAGHAV CHADHA- The Minimum Support Price Guarantee Bill, 2022.
DR. ASHOK KUMAR MITTAL- The All-India Services (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
DR. ASHOK KUMAR MITTAL- The Indian Institute of Nuclear Medicine Bill, 2022.
DR. ASHOK BAJPAI- The Indian Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
DR. SASMIT PATRA- The Sal Leaves Collectors and Traders’ Welfare Bill, 2022.
DR. SASMIT PATRA- The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2022.
DR. SASMIT PATRA- The State Reorganization Commission Bill, 2022.
SUJEET KUMAR- The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
Rajya Sabha| 2:30 p.m.
Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings
The Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings at 2:30 pm. Deputy Speaker Harivansh Singh is presiding. Private Member’s legislative business to be taken up.
Lok Sabha | 2:15 p.m.
Union Minister explains features of Bill
Explaining the salient features of the Bill to counter climate change, Mr. Singh lists India’s tryst to reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by 33-35 per cent by 2030 and use non-fossil-fuel energy resources for 40 per cent power demand. He adds that the Bill will offer incentives like carbon credits for the use of clean energy, increase the scope of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 to include larger residential buildings under energy conservation standards.
Lok Sabha | 2:01 p.m.
Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 moved for passage
The Lower House resumes proceedings with BJP MP Rama Devi in the Chair. Union Power Minister R.K Singh moves to consider and pass the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022. The amendment was tabled in the Lower House on August 3.
Read more on the features of the Bill here
Rajya Sabha | 1:02 p.m.
RS to forgo Zero Hour on Monday to bid farewell to Naidu; House adjourned until 2.30 p.m.
The Deputy Chairman of the Upper House, Harivansh Narayan Singh, noted that Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu will be demitting office on August 10, 2022. The House will not conduct Zero Hour on August 8, 2022, to enable MPs to bid farewell to Mr. Naidu.
Lok Sabha | 1.00 p.m.
Centre questioned on measures taken to curb farmer suicides; House adjourned until 2 p.m.
AIMIM MP Syed Imtiaz Ali asks the government on measures taken to curb suicides by farmers. “But changing names of places is more important for the Centre,” the AIMIM MP alleges before the House is declared adjourned till 2 p.m.
Rajya Sabha | 12:55 p.m.
Won’t ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ scheme hurt khadi industry, asks Jaya Bachchan
Jaya Bachchan of SP from Uttar Pradesh asks the House whether the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ scheme will affect the production of khadi in India as it promotes the use of polyester.
Lok Sabha | 12.11 p.m.
Opposition protests continue as Zero Hour in progress
Opposition members are again in the Well of House. Even as the Lower House adopts a few resolutions, Opposition members again start sloganeering and can be seen in the Well of the House raising slogans and holding placards.
Lok Sabha | 12.03 p.m.
Papers being laid in the Lower House after reassembling
The Lower House reassembles as some MPs continue to raise slogans. With Kirti Premji Bhai, who is in the Chair, not allowing them to raise their issues, some MPs walk out of the House even as papers are being laid on the table of the Lok Sabha.
Rajya Sabha | 12.15 p.m.
Discussion on recruitment to Northeast Frontier Railway underway
The Upper House took up the issue of recruitment to the Northeast Frontier Railway during Question Hour. In the Chair is Harivansh Narayan Singh.
Rajya Sabha | 12.00 p.m.
Question House commences in Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha takes up Question Hour. The session is presided by Harivansh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Rajya Sabha | 11:55 p.m.
MP requests Centre to acknowledge Kerala rains
Jose K. Mani requests the Central government to take note of Kerala rains and acknowledge the plight of those affected by it. The Kerala Congress MP further says that the Centre should come up with a scheme to alleviate the plight of those who are affected.
Rajya Sabha | 11:40 a.m.
Chairman Naidu issues clarification on arrest of MPs while House is in session
M. Venkaiah Naidu, the Chairman of the Upper House, said that some members of the House had an incorrect notion that MPs are exempt from detainment, arrest and questioning while the House is in session. Mr. Naidu said that MPs are on the same footing as the common man, and that the privilege endowed by the House does not excuse them from responding to criminal proceedings. ‘House Duty’ cannot be cited as a reason to skip questioning, said Mr. Naidu.
Rajya Sabha | 11.38 a.m.
Motion for election to the Committee on Public Accounts moved and adopted in RS
The Rajya Sabha moved and adopted the Motion for election to the Committee on Public Accounts after the House reassembled at 11.30 a.m. on Friday.
Rajya Sabha | 11.31 a.m.
Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings as papers are laid
The Rajya Sabha resumes at 11:30 a.m., presided by the Chairman of the Upper House, M. Venkaiah Naidu. Papers are laid in the absence of protests.
Lok Sabha | 11.23 a.m.
You don’t want to talk on issues, you’re here just for sloganeering: Om Birla to Opposition members in the Well of the House
Speaker Om Birla declares the House to be adjourned till 12 p.m. as Opposition members continue their relentless sloganeering. “You’ve been elected to raise people’s issue, but you’re only using the floor of the House to raise slogans,” Mr. Birla tells Opposition mebers before declaring the House to be adjourned till 12 noon.
Lok Sabha | 11.19 a.m.
What steps are being taken to improve the terrible health scenario in Bihar, asks BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy during Question Hour
BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy, during the ongoing Question Hour and amidst continued Opposition sloganeerings, asks the Health Minister about the steps taken to create a better health infrastructure in Bihar, a State which he says is reeling under “terrible health infrastructure”. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informs the House that Ayushman Bharat scheme has been extended to Bihar as well. But Mr. Rudy, who is not satisfied by the answer, gives data on the number of hospitals inb the State and narrates the “terrible scenario of health infrastructure in Bihar”.
Rajya Sabha | 11.00 a.m.
Rajya Sabha commences, adjourns within minutes amid protests
Rajya Sabha commences proceedings on Day 15 of the Monsoon Session, presided by the Chairman of the Upper House, M. Venkaiah Naidu. The House is adjourned until 11:30 a.m. amid protests by members of the Opposition.
Lok Sabha | 11.00 a.m.
Lok Sabha begins with incessant Opposition sloganeering
Speaker Om Birla remebers Bhim Prasad Dhal who recently passed away. Opposition members, who were protesting as soon as the House assembled, also participate but start sloganeering again as Question Hour begins.
Parliament
India witnessing death of democracy, says Rahul Gandhi ahead of “Chalo Rashtrapati Bhavan”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged that India is witnessing the “death of democracy” and anybody who stands against the onset of dictatorship is “viciously attacked”. Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters ahead of the nationwide protest by the Congress, Mr. Gandhi said the sole agenda of the government is that people’s issues such as price rise, unemployment and violence in society must not be raised.
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs of the party will hold a “Chalo Rashtrapati Bhavan” (march to Rashtrapati Bhavan) from Parliament to register the protest against price rise and unemployment.
Rajya Sabha
Legislative business today
The Rajya Sabha will take up Private Members’ resolutions.
Lok Sabha
Legislative business today
The Lok Sabha is scheduled to introduce the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022. The Lower House will also discuss the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and Anti Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019 for consideration and passing. The Lok Sabha will also take up Private Members’ resolutions.
Parliament Watch Podcast
Monsoon Session Day 14: protests over use of ED against opposition, and more
In this episode, we give you an overview of the fourteenth day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, that took place on August 4, with a gist of key events that took place during the session. We discuss the intense protests by the opposition over the government’s use of central investigative agencies against the opposition, in addition to the summoning of Mallikarjun Kharge. We also discuss the passing of the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill and important written replies in the upper house. In addition, we also cover the discussion on the Atal Bhujal Yojana along with discussing the important replies in the lower house as well. In addition to this, we also discuss the other important events of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
Read more the National Herald case:
Explained: What is the National Herald case and why has the ED summoned Sonia and Rahul Gandhi?
Sanjay Raut’s ED custody extended till August 8, wife summoned
Explained: The Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and why it relates to only two States
Guest: Jigeesh A. M., Deputy Editor, The Hindu
Hosts: Priyali Prakash, Diksha Munjal
Production: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian
Rajya Sabha | August 4
Rajya Sabha passes Family Courts Bill amid din over ED actions
The Rajya Sabha passed the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill on Thursday amid disruptions over the Enforcement Directorate’s “actions against Opposition MPs” when the House is in session. The Bill validates family courts in Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland with retrospective effect.
Rajya Sabha | August 4
Government says 130 ‘hate news’ cases reported between 2019 Lok Sabha elections and latest round of Assembly polls
A total of 130 cases of “hate news” were reported to social media platforms between the 2019 Lok Sabha election and the latest round of Assembly polls in five States held earlier this year, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju informed the Rajya Sabha on August 4.
Rajya Sabha | August 4
1,472 vacancies in IAS, 864 in IPS in various States: Union Minister Jitendra Singh
There are 1,472 vacancies in Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and 864 in Indian Police Service (IPS) in various States as on January 1, 2022, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on August 4. In order to ensure optimal intake of directly recruited IAS officers, the government has increased their annual intake to 180 through civil services examination (CSE) since CSE-2012, on the basis of the recommendations of Baswan committee, he said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.