Both the Houses will continue with the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address for the third consecutive day and are set to take up Private Members’ Legislative Business.
Here are the latest updates:
Rajya Sabha | 1.36 p.m.
Rakesh Sinha (BJP nominated) says, “will America and Saudi Arabia give you higher positions, a country cannot survive on foreign remittances, people are being misled in the name of demographic dividend. Many countries need cheap labour, from Pakistan, Bangladeh and India, so they try to mislead and drive the discourse about demographic dividend. They talk about replacement level.
As per Total Fertility Rate, in 174 districts the national average is maintained, in 72 districts the TFR is 4. People who attack us in the name of saffron demography do not want the truth to come out. Among 11 countries; France, Norway, Poland, etc. that are part of OECD, the percentage of unmarried mothers is more than 50 %, in England, more than two lakh children were born to unmarried mothers against 3 lakh to married mothers, I was looking for such data in India, ran Google searches but couldnt find that data. In Bihar, marital fertility rate is more than 6 %, India rate is 4.9%, Andhra 3.4 %, Kerala 5.1 %, Tamil Nadu 3.7%, Telangana 3.6%. Average is always delusionary. A flyover will have to endure the weight of 12 persons, even though the average will come to 6 if I have 11 children and for example Manoj Jha ji has one child. Ecological footprint and bio capacity is decreasing, we are eating the resources meant for the posterity, this is not or right. There is a provision in this bill, after this law is made then it will not be implemented for 18 months, awareness should be made among people during that period.”
Rajya Sabha | 1.16 p.m.
Bill on Population Regulation
Rakesh Sinha (BJP) moves Private Members Bill on Population Regulation. As many as 40 bills on this subject have already been introduced.
Rajya Sabha | 1.05 p.m.
Amar Patnaik moves a Private Members Bill to amend the preamble to the Constitution to insert the word ‘ahimsa’
Deputy Chairman Harivansh says in the last session member Manoj Jha had opposed the introduction of a private members bill by K.J. Alphons (BJP) to amend the preamble to the constitution. The introduction of the bill was deferred on the request of the Parliamentary Affairs Minister. The Chair had clarified that the decision is to be taken by the House and not the Chair. There are number of rulings given by Chair in this House giving the same ruling. Chair has never taken the responsibility of declaring the bill to be ultra vires of the Constitution or not. The question of ultra vires may not be decided by the Chair but left to the House, if the party is aggrieved they can move the court.
Anand Sharma (Congress) says, “Preamble to the Constitution cannot be changed. Would urge the member concerned in larger interest of the country where questions are being raised about the integrity of our commitment to the Indian constitution, this should not be allowed. “
Amar Patnaik (BJD) says, “two words ‘socialist and secular’ were added to the preamble of the Constitution were added by 42nd amendment, so it can be changed.”
Sukhendu Sekhar Ray(TMC), says “that [insertion of socialist and secular] happened long before, before the Kesavananda Bharati judgement in Supreme Court. The court then further ruled that the supremacy of the Constitution cannot be changed, whether court or parliamentary authority, they have to abide by the Constitution. The judgement is still subsisting and therefore the preamble to the constitution cannot be changed.”
Deputy Chairman Harivansh says, “Chair cannot decide, it is for the House to decide.”
Amar Patnaik (BJD) moves a Private Members Bill to amend the preamble to the Constitution to insert the word ‘ahimsa.’
Rajya Sabha | 12.31 p.m.
Private Members’ Business begins in the Rajya Sabha. Bills are being introduced.
Rajya Sabha | 12.28 p.m.
Andhra Pradesh in a state of collapse: Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar, TDP, Andhra Pradesh
Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar, TDP, Andhra Pradesh speaking on the motion says that Andhra Pradesh is in a State of collapse. He notes that the State government is solely borrowing and the accounts aren’t being maintained. He notes that employees are not being paid on time. Accidents due to poor roads are a daily occurance in the State.
Rajya Sabha | 12.23 p.m.
“Strong nations are not built by insecure leadership”: Priyanka Chaturvedi, Shiv Sena
Priyanka Chaturvedi, Shiv Sena, Maharashtra is speaking on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, “Strong nations are not built by insecure leadership”, she says. She says that Aatmanirbhar Bharat is just a garb and points that there is a new record of imports from China. Ms. Chaturvedi says that the government is silent with respect to women’s safety. “State governments aren’t getting their GST dues”, she says. The government is using its resources to spy on its people instead of spending them towards national security. She notes that many countries have started a probe on the use of Pegasus including Israel and asks why the Parliament is not discussing Pegasus.
Rajya Sabha | 12.13 p.m.
‘Hero worship’ biggest threat to Indian democracy: Manoj Jha, RJD
Manoj Kumar Jha, RJD, Bihar emphasises the need for empathy from governments during the pandemic. He notes that the biggest threat to Indian democracy is from hero worship. Mr. Jha says that the incumbent government is trying to build differences between Indians on the basis of religion and invokes Mahatma Gandhi and his message of peace between religions. He adds that the issue of hunger is plaguing the country. He notes that the government recognise that Ladakh and Kashmir is not just a piece of land and that real people reside.
Rajya Sabha | 11.57 a.m.
Government used pandemic to implement its “anti-people policies”: K. Somaprasad, CPI (M)
K. Somaprasad, CPI(M), Kerala asks how one can forget the floating dead bodies. He notes that the government has failed to handle the pandemic. He notes that the government has not provided any security, incentives and insurances to frontline workers. He adds that the government used the pandemic to implement its “anti-people policies”. He also brings the issue of unemloyment to the notice of the House and says that disinvestment of PSUs will not create new jobs. He says there are about 12.3 lakh vacancies in government jobs. “70% of STs and 50% of SCs are landless, land reforms is the need of the hour, says Mr. Somaprasad.
Rajya Sabha | 11.37 a.m.
Discussion on Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address begins
Dr. L. Hanumanthaiah is in the chair. Prasanna Acharya, BJD, Odisha appreciates the government’s nationalistic approach and notes that many people believe that had Netaji been alive after independence, the country would have been shaped different. He notes that the government has rightly taken the decision to start the Republic Day celebrations from Netaji’s birthday.
He also goes on to appreciate the government’s decision to celebrate Veer Bal Diwas. He continues that a memorial should be constructed to commemorate “Veer Bals” of this country. Mr. Acharya notes that the farmers’ income has not been doubled. He states NCRB data and notes that an increase of 6% has been noted with respect to farmer suicides this year. He requests the government give special status to Odisha. He also notes that the government’s power to recall any IAS/IPS officer at any time is harmful to the federalism of the country.
Rajya Sabha | 11.31 a.m.
Question Hour comes to an end
Question Hour comes to an end in Rajya Sabha. Papers are being laid on the table.
Rajya Sabha | 11:20 a.m.
Questions concerning setting up new industries in Rajasthan and objectives of TRAI are being entertained in the House.
Rajya Sabha | 10.53 a.m.
Minister of Electronics and IT on ‘Bulli Bai’ and ‘Sulli Deals’
To a question raised by BJP MP Sushil Modi on action taken against the Bulli Bai creators and subsequent questions, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “If the house has consensus we are willing to provide even stricter social media rules. At this point we are working within the framework of the Constitution. But yes, going forward we need to make the social media more accountable.”
Mr. Vaishnaw notes that “protecting women” is a fundamental to their government. He says that the investigation was initiated as soon as the issue was brought to notice of the government. He goes on to say that social media has to be made accountable to make them safe spaces.
Rajya Sabha | 10.50 a.m.
Guidelines for social media platforms
Ashwini Vaishaw, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology notes that there are five significant social media intermediaries as mandated by the government. All significant social media intermediaries are obliged to publish their monthly compliance reports.
Rajya Sabha | 10.42 a.m.
Legal guarantee of MSP
Kailash Choudhary, MoS Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in a response to a question regarding the committee being set up to look into the legal guarantee of MSP notes that details concerning the committee will be divulged once the government gets permission from the Election Commission to set up a committee as Model Code of Conduct is in place in many States across the country in lieu of the 2022 Assembly Elections.
Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare says, “as Prime Minister had announced we are committed on the issue of MSP. We were to form a Committee for fixing the MSP, but schedule for assembly elections were announced. We wrote to Election Commission seeking their permission, the EC wrote back saying that the Ministry should wait for the elections before setting up the Committee.”
Rajya Sabha | 10.33 a.m.
Question Hour begins
Question Hour begins in Rajya Sabha. Questions concerning construction of over bridges are being entertained in the House.
Rajya Sabha | 10.27 a.m.
DMK MPs and opposition walk out in protest.
Rajya Sabha | 10.27 a.m.
Rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits
Priyanka Chaturvedi, Shiv Sena, Maharashtra, notes that only 15% of the rehabilitation work to aid Kashmiri Pandits has been completed. She urges the government through the Chairman to expedite the construction of transit accommodation units.
Rajya Sabha | 10.24 a.m
Manoj Jha, RJD, Bihar says States and centre will have to work together to National Employment Policy. “Across the party lines we have to work together. It is unfortunate that the even in the elections unemployment does not seem to be an issue. We cannot ignore it any longer, we are sitting at the vortex of a volcano threatening to blow up any time now”, he notes.
Rajya Sabha | 10.21 a.m.
“Include Khasi and Garo in the eighth schedule”
Wanweiroy Kharlukhi notes that Meghalaya is a State of fifty years without a recognised language. He requests that the government include Khasi and Garo in the eighth schedule of the Constitution.
Rajya Sabha | 10.16 a.m.
DMK MPs protest against Tamil Nadu Governor
Zero Hour begins in Rajya Sabha. DMK MPs protest against Tamil Nadu Governor for returning the bill passed by the State assembly exempting the State’s students from NEET. Other opposition MPs also join in the protest. Chairman is asking the MPs to bring up the issue during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address. Tiruchi Siva, DMK MP says that the Governor is insulting the State assembly. DMK MPs are in the well of the House shouting slogans.
Rajya Sabha | 10.06 a.m.
Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge objects to ministers absence with MoS Parliamentary Affairs Minister lays paper for host of ministries. “The concerned minister should come and place the papers. What other work do they have during the Parliament”.
RS Chairman Venkaiah Naidu: I have allowed this only because of COVID pandemic. COVID is not in our hands, otherwise I would not have excused COVID too
Rajya Sabha | 10.00 a.m.
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu starts the proceedings for the day. Papers are being laid on the Table of the House.
LoB | Rajya Sabha
List of Business in Rajya Sabha (10.00 a.m.)
1. Motion of Thanks on the President’s address.
2. Private Members’ Legislative Business.
LoB | Lok Sabha
List of Business in Lok Sabha (4.00 p.m.)
1. Motion of Thanks on the President’s address.
2. Private Members’ Legislative Business.
High taxes hurting toursim sector: Parliamentary Panel
Noting that high tax rates are hurting inbound tourism to India, a Parliamentary Committee has recommended that the tax regime for the travel and tourism sector should be reviewed to make India an attractive travel destination.
India’s total share in International Tourist Arrivals (ITA) remains a modest 1.24%, which is certainly below its huge potential, the Committee on ‘Promotion of Indian Tourism in Overseas Markets – Role of Overseas Tourist Offices and Indian Embassies’ stated.
“The Committee observes that one of the major reasons for India’s inbound tourism remaining grossly under-utilised has been the high rates and multiplicity of taxes that deter inbound tourism and have led to tourist packages being out priced vis-a-vis those in competing tourist destinations of other countries,” it said.
Ultraviolet tech to mitigate spread of virus in Parliament
Radiation technology to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus has been installed in the Parliament building, Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh told the Lok Sabha on Thursday. However, the Minister urged members to continue following COVID appropriate behaviour.
The Minister said the Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) technology, developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has been installed in Lok Sabha and Central Hall chambers to mitigate the airborne transmission of the coronavirus.
Speaking soon after the Question Hour, Mr. Singh thanked Speaker Om Birla for granting permission for the technology.
Recap
Day 4 recap
The Members of Parliament participated in Motion of Thanks to the President’s address.
The Question Hour in the Upper House entertained questions pertaining to Indian workers in Gulf countries, number of women judges in the country, status of Marathi as a classical language, and the MediaOne issue.
The Lower House entertained questions pertaining to fuel prices, water supply to households. The Pegasus spyware, special status for Bihar and protests over unemployment were among the key issues that figured in the Lok Sabha on Thursday during the debate on Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address
There was furore in the Lower House when the members of the DMK and the Congress walked out of the Lok Sabha, demanding a recall of Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, taking exception to his decision to return the NEET Exemption Bill.