Lok Sabha: Minority budget in India should be demand-driven, says Owaisi

17:54 February 10

Telangana MP Asaduddin Owaisi questioned the government over its intentions regarding its honesty towards the citizens of the country.

"Is this the budget exercise meant to mislead the Parliament?" he questioned.

Owaisi further claimed that the government has overestimated the GDP in order to hide the present fiscal deficit from everyone, alleging that the government is so broke that it is borrowing money to pay salaries to employees.

He also put forward the request to allocate minority budget 'demand-driven'.

17:29 February 10

TDP MP from Andhra Pradesh, K Ram Mohan Naidu stressed upon the importance of AP Reorganisation Act for both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

He also expressed disappointment over the delay in attaining the special category status for Andhra Pradesh.

"People in Andhra Pradesh are disappointed by the way YSRCP MPs are fighting for the special category to Andhra Pradesh," he said adding that the promise made by the YSRCP government must be fulfilled.

 

17:11 February 10

IUML MP from Kerala, E T Mohammed Basheer addressed two major topics during his speech in Lok Sabha, including:

1. Implication of budget in regard to Kerala

2. Impact of budget on minorities of the country

He alleged that the BJP ruled states have double the budget allocation than non-BJP states. He also added that the allocation of budget for the minorities have been slashed which clearly indicates the injustice being done to them in the country.

17:05 February 10

TRS from Telangana, Nama Nageswara Rao said that the targets set by the government in the current budget are unrealistic and unachievable and lacks a proper road map.

He said that the population of India and its present GDP do not go hand-in-hand and needs improvement.
 

17:00 February 10

YSRCP MP from Andhra Pradesh, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu spoke about the issues in his state in regard with the Union Budget. 

He demanded for the allocation for more funds to various sectors in Andhra Pradesh as it is already facing a revenue deficit ever since it was bifurcated.

Devarayalu also highlighted the problems faced by the farmers due to the delay in schemes introduced for them and lack of proper funds allocation for them.

Asserting that the overall financial situation of Andhra Pradesh is not good, he demanded the declaration of Andhra Pradesh as a special category state.

16:23 February 10

Adv A M Arif from CPI(Kerala) questioned the Prime Minister over issues in Kerala.

"Why did you become silent when our CM raised question over partiality in the flood relief fund?" he asked.

The MP alleged that whenever Kerala asks for help, the PM turns his face like Kerala is not an Indian state but an enemy country.

He added that despite all the ordeals that Kerala has faced on part of the government's ignorance, it has succeeded in achieving a GDP growth rate of 7.5 along with the highest literacy rate.

15:57 February 10

Lok Sabha MP from Jammu and Kashmir, Hasnain Masoodi said highlighted the key challenges that were expected to be taken care of in the Union Budget.

The challenged included: 

1. Ever-increasing unemployment

2. Decrease in consumption and demand for various goods

3. Massive tax reforms to relieve taxpayers

4. Resource mobilization to help the agriculture sector

Hasnain further asserted that the new budget lacks vision.

15:17 February 10

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (DMK) Dayanidhi Maran (DMK) said, "To understand the new tax laws, one has to spend more money paying the auditor to figure out which bracket one falls into."

He further asks,"Why can't you come up with a single tax system?"

15:16 February 10

Bharatiya Janata Party has issued a whip to its Lok Sabha MPs to be present in the house tomorrow for the passage of the Union Budget 2020-21.

15:01 February 10

Supriya Sule on doubling farmers' income

14:58 February 10

NCP's Supriya Sule (NCP) says seven people die everyday in Mumbai suburban trains.

14:37 February 10

Congress MPs walk out from Lok Sabha after Union Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot said, "The case arised due to Uttarakhand Government's 2012 decision to not implement reservation in promotions, in the state. In 2012 Congress was in power in Uttarakhand".

14:27 February 10

Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot in Lok Sabha on SC decision said that reservations for jobs, promotions, is not fundamental right: Govt is holding high level discussions on the issue. I would like to make it clear that GoI was never made a party in the case.

This prompts slogans from the Opposition and they walk out when Speaker refuses to hold a discussion on the statement.

14:14 February 10

Discussion on the Union Budget 2020-21 begins.

Bhatruhari Mahtab (BJD) continues the general discussion on the Budget.

13:01 February 10

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2pm.

13:00 February 10

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha on SC decision that reservations for jobs, promotions, is not a fundamental right said, "The Social Welfare Minister will soon make a statement. Please wait for him to make his statement. Congress party is politicising this sensitive matter."

12:52 February 10

Apna Dal's Anupriya Patel refferring to SC's decision on ST/SC Act said, " Apna Dal does not agree with the Supreme Court judgement. So far, it is the most unfortunate decision given by the Supreme Court.

12:37 February 10

Uproar in the Parliament over SC's order on SC/ST Act

Massive uproar in the Parliament over SC's order on SC/ST Act.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on SC judgement that reservations for jobs, promotions, is not a fundamental right said, "This is SC's decision. Govt of India has nothing to do with it. The Social Welfare Minister will make a statement at 2:15 pm today."

This came after the Supreme Court's ruling that says that there is no fundamental right to claim reservation in promotion for SCs, STs and OBCs in government jobs.

12:08 February 10

India prepared to fight Coronavirus: Health Minister Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan makes a statement on Government response to novel coronavirus outbreak in China.

He said, "India prepared to fight. Equipped to deal with Coronavirus."

 "All necessary precautions are being taken....we are keeping a close tab on the situation. We are having video calls with other states on this issue," he added. 

11:55 February 10

Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal in Lok Sabha on Gargi college case

Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal in Lok Sabha on Gargi college case said, " It has come to our notice that some outsiders had entered the college, which is not right. The college administration has been asked to look into it."

11:53 February 10

64% of the fresh graduates of age 20-24 are unemployed: Shashi Tharoor

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor raises question that what is All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) doing to amend this strict regulatory approach to help our technical graduates actually get employment in today's difficult market.

Referring to this,  HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal' Nishank' said, "We are generating new models to create employment."

11:37 February 10

Discussion on Portal to Resolve Complaints

N.K. Premachandran, RSP, Kollam Kerala raises question that illiterate workers are unable to operate EPF's grivances online applications.

Answering to this, MoS Labour and Employment, Santosh Kumar Gangwars aid, "It is not important that they will submit the form online. They can submit in a hard-copy too."

 

11:25 February 10

Social Justice Minister will be here shortly to answer SC/ST questions: Rajnath Singh

 Union Minister Rajnath Singh says the Social Justice Minister will be here shortly and he will give governments response on the issue. 

11:13 February 10

Oppn uproar over ST/SC reservation row

Opposition uproar over ST/SC reservation row

Earlier, in a major judgement, the Supreme Court has said that there is "no fundamental right which inheres in an individual to claim reservation in promotions", and also no court can order a state government to provide for reservation to SC/STs.

10:56 February 10

Lok Sabha: Congress gives adjournment motion notice over SC's reservation ruling

New Delhi:Congress on Monday gave adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over the Supreme Court ruling regarding reservation in job promotions, saying "SCs and STs reservation in government services should not be diluted as it will be a disastrous blow to the backward communities of our country".

The Supreme Court had on Friday said that reservation in promotions for government jobs is not a fundamental right. 

The top court also said the States cannot be directed to provide promotions to the members of the SC/ST community.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP KK Ragesh also gave a suspension of business notice in Rajya Sabha under Rule 267 over the Supreme Court ruling.

Questioning the Supreme Court judgement, Congress spokesperson Udit Raj said at a press conference on Sunday: "Uttarakhand government has taken a stand that State governments are not bound to provide reservation in promotions. 

The Centre earlier went to the Supreme Court to challenge the Delhi High Court's judgement which said that reservations should not apply on promotions. 

The Centre is still pursuing that case in the Supreme Court." "The views of the Centre and the State government are, therefore, contradictory on this. 

The BJP should, therefore, clarify its stand on reservations to ST/SCs in jobs and promotions," he had said.