Parliament Winter Session Day 6 LIVE: Aviation Reforms Bill Discussed In RS; Banking Laws Amendment Bill, 2024, Passed In LS

The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was passed by the Lok Sabha. Earlier Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman spoke in detail about the Bill and replied to the suggestions by the members, who spoke on the Bill.

Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha criticised the high costs of air tickets and overcrowded airports, likening them to bus and rail stations. He called for food price regulation, better city connectivity, and compensation for frequent 3-4-hour delays.

Chadha also flagged the airline duopoly, the shutdown of three carriers under the Udaan scheme, and steep baggage fees that drive passengers to rail travel instead of flying.

Congress MP Dr Syed Naseer Hussain accused the Modi government of promoting crony capitalism, dubbing the Airport Authority of India as the "Adani Airport Authority of India." During the Rajya Sabha debate of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak,2024, he highlighted rising airfares of Rs 20,000-30,000, failures in the Udaan scheme with 50 per cent.

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday took up the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak (Indian Aviation Bill), 2024, for discussion and passage. Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu presented the bill, emphasising its significance for strengthening India's aviation sector.

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024, aimed at bringing policy stability to India's oil sector. Hardeep Singh Puri, while concluding the debate assured members that the bill does not infringe on states; rights or favour any particular business entity.

AITC member of Parliament Kalyan Banerjee on Tuesday emphasised the urgent need for the government to take concrete steps to combat the rising tide of cyber-fraud. He raised concerns over the significant increase in cyber-crime cases, highlighting a sharp rise from 75,800 cases in 2023 to 2,92,800 cases in 2024.

Banerjee also expressed concerns about the slow pace of deposit mobilisation compared to the rapid growth of bank credit. He emphasised that real economic growth relies on robust bank credit to industries and infrastructure projects.

Union Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, during the debate on the Oilfields (Amendment) Bill, 2024, criticised the UPA era for driving away the top five oil companies from India. He highlighted the government's policy during that time, including a drilling moratorium on 'no-go' areas, which led to a lack of investor interest in the country's oil sector.

Puri emphasised that the new amendment bill aims to address these issues by ensuring policy stability and encouraging investment in the oil sector. He stated, "We have taken the eye away from the ball on oil," adding that previous policies have created challenges for the industry.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday presented the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in Parliament for consideration and passing. The bill aims to enhance governance in the banking sector and improve customer convenience.

Highlighting the significance of the proposed changes, Sitharaman stated, "These amendments will strengthen the Indian banking sector while enhancing customer convenience and safeguarding investor's interests."

Congress member from Jorhat Gaurav Gogoi launched a scathing attack on government over the state of the economy. "This (Banking Laws Amendment) Bill is incomplete. You needed to bring a stronger Bill," Gogoi said.

He alleged that the middle-class gives money to the government but the government has not given anything to them. "We can only see the development of one persons," he said apparently referring to billionaire Gautam Adani.

There was a lot of furore while Gaurav Gogoi was speaking. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the House should function as per the rules. "Banking system has become unfair," he said.

EAM Jaishankar on Tuesday addressed Lok Sabha on China ties. Speaking in the Lower House of Parliament, Jaishankar said, "We made clear, development of our ties (with China) was contingent on principles of mutual sensitivity, interest and respect."

"Due to sustained tension, specific developments in border areas, our overall ties with China were bound to be impacted adversely," the External Affairs Minister added.

S Jaishankar also said that the next priority would be to consider de-escalation that would address amassing of troops along Line of Actual Control.

"Immediate priority was to ensure disengagement from friction points, this has been fully achieved," Jaishankar added.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday warned the members that if the business of the House is disrupted further due to adjournments, then he will have to convene the proceedings over the weekends to make up for the loss of time.

The government and opposition parties reached an agreement on Monday to break a week-long impasse in Parliament with the dates announced for a discussion on the Constitution, to mark its 75th year of adoption, in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

The Lower House will take up the discussion on the Constitution on December 13 and 14, and the Upper House on December 16 and 17.

"The House will convene on Saturday, December 14 at 11 am. If you continue with adjournments, then for the number of days it has been adjourned, you will have to attend the proceedings on Saturday and Sunday as well," Birla said soon after the Question Hour.

He also remarked that he has not permitted intimation of any adjournment notices today.

Lok Sabha proceedings were washed out last week due to protests by opposition members over the Adani indictment row, recent violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal and other issues.

T.R. Baalu MP highlighted the devastating impact of Cyclone Fengal on Tamil Nadu farmers during Zero Hour. The heavy rains caused widespread inundation, resulting in significant losses for farmers and a tragic death toll of 12 people.

Baalu listed the extensive damages incurred and urged the Centre to dispatch an assessment team to the affected areas. This would facilitate immediate relief efforts and provide much-needed support to the affected communities.

Echoing Baalu's concerns, MP Kanimozhi stressed the need for swift relief and timely disbursement of the ₹2,000 crore requested by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. This urgent assistance would help alleviate the suffering of those affected by the cyclone.

RJD MP Manoj Jha asked Union Health Minister JP Nadda for an AIIMS in the Koshi Seemanchal area, says, "...My question is, I come from the Koshi Seemanchal region and am very familiar with Bihar. Our Health Minister is also well aware of the area. Considering the population and the situation there, do you think there is a need for an AIIMS in that region?"

Expressing concern over targeting of religious minorities in Bangladesh, the Trinamool Congress on Tuesday urged the central government to ask the United Nations to immediately dispatch peacekeeping forces to the neighbouring country.

TMC's Sudip Bandyopadhyay raised the issue during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha. He said minorities, including Hindus, are being tortured and killed in Bangladesh and urged the Centre to appeal to the UN to immediately send peacekeeping forces to the country.

Being an immediate neighbour of Bangladesh, West Bengal is directly affected by the happenings there. In the past too, there had been an influx of refugees, he said.

Bandyopadhyay said the government has so far maintained silence on the issue and asked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to apprise the House of the latest developments in the matter.

Reportedly, there have been more than 200 attacks on Hindus in 50 districts of Bangladesh since the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government on August 5.

Hindus constitute about 8 per cent of Bangladesh's population of 170 million.

Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav takes up the issue of Sambhal violence in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. "...The incident that took place in Sambhal is a well-planned conspiracy and the brotherhood in Sambhal has been shot. The talks of excavation throughout the country done by BJP and its allies will destroy the brotherhood of the country..," said Akhilesh.

During a discussion of wage disbursement under MGNREGA, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said "...MNREGA funds go to Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana on the basis of labour component and I think that perhaps the GoI has permitted it. Do MNREGA funds go to the state government's scheme Abua Awas Yojana, is it permitted in the labour component? If it is not permitted, then what action have you taken? I want to ask this from the Minister (Shivraj Singh Chouhan)..." Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says "MNREGA money is for paying wages to labourers. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana also, wages can be given to the member of the family whose house is being built. If this money goes to the Abua Awas Yojana, we will investigate it and if it has been misused, we will take action against it."

Almost the entire opposition in the Lok Sabha, including Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday staged a brief walkout from the House over the recent violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal.

As soon as the House assembled to take up the Question Hour, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav rose from his seat and raised the issue, seeking Speaker Om Birla's permission to speak on the subject.

"This is a very serious matter. Five people have lost their lives," Yadav was heard saying.

As the Speaker said members could raise the issue in the Zero Hour, Yadav and his party colleagues started to walk out in protest. Some SP members, meanwhile, rushed to the Well, raising slogans.

While the SP members were protesting in the Well of the House, DMK member A Raja was seen exhorting other opposition members, including those from the Congress, to rise from their seats and join the SP protest.

NCP and Shiv Sena-UBT members stood up in support of the Samajwadi Party MPs.

Some of the Congress members also rose to their feet and Leader of the Opposition in the House Rahul Gandhi came to the isle in support of the protest.

While the protest was on, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reached out to Yadav to discuss the issue.

After some time, Yadav was seen gesturing his party's MPs to leave and the opposition members, including Gandhi, staged a walkout.

The MPs then returned to participate in the ongoing Question Hour.

KC Venugopal, during the discussion on MGNREGA, questions why a large number of workers have been deleted from the beneficiary list. MoS for Rural Development Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani says that the deletion if workers is the responsibility of the State. “Centre has no role in it,” he said. He also added that 57 per cent of the Rural development budget is being given to MANREGA.

"Honorable members, what a paradox. We were talking about the dignity of this house. I have received 42 notices, the highest so far in the last quarter of the century of adoption of Indian constitution. And the notices are under rule 267. One of the notices remarkably is in public domain, whereas by bulletin and otherwise, we have mandated"

On INDIA Alliance's protest at Parliament premises, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "It's a whole set of issues to do with the Modi Govt's policies... To be very honest, itis a sort of clear signal to the ruling party that many of their policies have found very strong opposition throughout the country. While we are going to cooperate in the House from this morning, nonetheless there was one, sort of salvo to be fired as a form of protest before going out to debate and participate in the Parliamentary processes. Essentially, we are marking the end of the protest for the last 6 days in Parliament."

CPI MP P. Sandosh Kumar said, "...INDIA alliance will continue its protest, raising certain very important issues. The Adani related scam, Manipur, Sambhal - to name a few...It is not our wish to get it (the House) adjourned, we have already given 267 notices. But we will make all efforts to see that the House functions. So, for us it is clear. We are here to raise pro-people issues and we will continue with the same with the new models of protest..."

On the proceedings of the House, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "...It is very important for the Parliament to run for the country... If the proceedings of the Parliament are not done properly, then the country and the opposition MPs suffer the most... We can pass the bill even without discussion because we have the majority, however, we do not feel right to do so... If any court order comes against an Indian in another country, will its discussion continue forever in the House?... Many opposition MPs are realizing that disrupting the House is neither in the interest of the country nor in the interest of the opposition... This pressure has come on the Congress leadership that the country does not want the Parliament to be stopped by creating a ruckus like this... The Congress leadership is probably understanding this. I am happy that the House will run smoothly from today. We will discuss the Constitution in the Lok Sabha on the 13th and 14th December and in the Rajya Sabha on the 16th and 17th December..."

MPs of several INDIA bloc parties protested on the Parliament premises on Tuesday over the Adani issue and reiterated their demand for a joint parliamentary probe into the matter.

MPs of the Congress, AAP, RJD, Shiv Sena (UBT), DMK and the Left parties among others raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded accountability.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AAP's Sanjay Singh, RJD's Misa Bharti and Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Arvind Sawant also participated in the protest on the steps leading to the Parliament's Makar Dwar.

The Congress and some other opposition have been demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe following the indictment by US prosecutors of Adani Group chairperson Gautam Adani and other company officials on bribery and fraud charges.

With billionaire Adani charged in the US with alleged bribery and fraud, the Congress has said it "vindicates" its demand for a joint parliamentary committee investigation into the various "scams" involving his conglomerate.

The Adani Group's indictment in the US has given fresh ammunition to opposition parties to demand a joint parliamentary committee probe into the business group's dealings.

Gandhi had sought Adani's immediate arrest.

The Adani Group has denied all allegations as "baseless".

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi gives Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha, over Manipur issue.

Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain gives suspension of business notice in Rajya Sabha to discuss the constitution of a JPC over Adani matter.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "Since the day when the parliament session began, Samajwadi Party has tried to raise the issue of the Sambhal incident. The House didn't function, but our demand is still the same - we want to put our views on the Sambhal incident in the House. The officers out there are working arbitrarily - such that they are working as party workers of the BJP... Sambhal incident is a well-thought strategy of the BJP to deviate people from other issues. Those who want to dig everywhere - someday they will lose the cordiality and brotherhood of the country..."

DMK MP TR Baalu gives Adjournment Motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss damage to standing crops due to heavy rainfall in the districts of Viluppuram, Cuddalore, Chengalpattu in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was passed by the Lok Sabha. Earlier Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman spoke in detail about the Bill and replied to the suggestions by the members, who spoke on the Bill.

Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha criticised the high costs of air tickets and overcrowded airports, likening them to bus and rail stations. He called for food price regulation, better city connectivity, and compensation for frequent 3-4-hour delays.

Chadha also flagged the airline duopoly, the shutdown of three carriers under the Udaan scheme, and steep baggage fees that drive passengers to rail travel instead of flying.

Congress MP Dr Syed Naseer Hussain accused the Modi government of promoting crony capitalism, dubbing the Airport Authority of India as the "Adani Airport Authority of India." During the Rajya Sabha debate of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak,2024, he highlighted rising airfares of Rs 20,000-30,000, failures in the Udaan scheme with 50 per cent.

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday took up the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak (Indian Aviation Bill), 2024, for discussion and passage. Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu presented the bill, emphasising its significance for strengthening India's aviation sector.

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024, aimed at bringing policy stability to India's oil sector. Hardeep Singh Puri, while concluding the debate assured members that the bill does not infringe on states; rights or favour any particular business entity.

AITC member of Parliament Kalyan Banerjee on Tuesday emphasised the urgent need for the government to take concrete steps to combat the rising tide of cyber-fraud. He raised concerns over the significant increase in cyber-crime cases, highlighting a sharp rise from 75,800 cases in 2023 to 2,92,800 cases in 2024.

Banerjee also expressed concerns about the slow pace of deposit mobilisation compared to the rapid growth of bank credit. He emphasised that real economic growth relies on robust bank credit to industries and infrastructure projects.

Union Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, during the debate on the Oilfields (Amendment) Bill, 2024, criticised the UPA era for driving away the top five oil companies from India. He highlighted the government's policy during that time, including a drilling moratorium on 'no-go' areas, which led to a lack of investor interest in the country's oil sector.

Puri emphasised that the new amendment bill aims to address these issues by ensuring policy stability and encouraging investment in the oil sector. He stated, "We have taken the eye away from the ball on oil," adding that previous policies have created challenges for the industry.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday presented the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in Parliament for consideration and passing. The bill aims to enhance governance in the banking sector and improve customer convenience.

Highlighting the significance of the proposed changes, Sitharaman stated, "These amendments will strengthen the Indian banking sector while enhancing customer convenience and safeguarding investor's interests."

Congress member from Jorhat Gaurav Gogoi launched a scathing attack on government over the state of the economy. "This (Banking Laws Amendment) Bill is incomplete. You needed to bring a stronger Bill," Gogoi said.

He alleged that the middle-class gives money to the government but the government has not given anything to them. "We can only see the development of one persons," he said apparently referring to billionaire Gautam Adani.

There was a lot of furore while Gaurav Gogoi was speaking. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the House should function as per the rules. "Banking system has become unfair," he said.

EAM Jaishankar on Tuesday addressed Lok Sabha on China ties. Speaking in the Lower House of Parliament, Jaishankar said, "We made clear, development of our ties (with China) was contingent on principles of mutual sensitivity, interest and respect."

"Due to sustained tension, specific developments in border areas, our overall ties with China were bound to be impacted adversely," the External Affairs Minister added.

S Jaishankar also said that the next priority would be to consider de-escalation that would address amassing of troops along Line of Actual Control.

"Immediate priority was to ensure disengagement from friction points, this has been fully achieved," Jaishankar added.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday warned the members that if the business of the House is disrupted further due to adjournments, then he will have to convene the proceedings over the weekends to make up for the loss of time.

The government and opposition parties reached an agreement on Monday to break a week-long impasse in Parliament with the dates announced for a discussion on the Constitution, to mark its 75th year of adoption, in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

The Lower House will take up the discussion on the Constitution on December 13 and 14, and the Upper House on December 16 and 17.

"The House will convene on Saturday, December 14 at 11 am. If you continue with adjournments, then for the number of days it has been adjourned, you will have to attend the proceedings on Saturday and Sunday as well," Birla said soon after the Question Hour.

He also remarked that he has not permitted intimation of any adjournment notices today.

Lok Sabha proceedings were washed out last week due to protests by opposition members over the Adani indictment row, recent violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal and other issues.

T.R. Baalu MP highlighted the devastating impact of Cyclone Fengal on Tamil Nadu farmers during Zero Hour. The heavy rains caused widespread inundation, resulting in significant losses for farmers and a tragic death toll of 12 people.

Baalu listed the extensive damages incurred and urged the Centre to dispatch an assessment team to the affected areas. This would facilitate immediate relief efforts and provide much-needed support to the affected communities.

Echoing Baalu's concerns, MP Kanimozhi stressed the need for swift relief and timely disbursement of the ₹2,000 crore requested by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. This urgent assistance would help alleviate the suffering of those affected by the cyclone.

RJD MP Manoj Jha asked Union Health Minister JP Nadda for an AIIMS in the Koshi Seemanchal area, says, "...My question is, I come from the Koshi Seemanchal region and am very familiar with Bihar. Our Health Minister is also well aware of the area. Considering the population and the situation there, do you think there is a need for an AIIMS in that region?"

Expressing concern over targeting of religious minorities in Bangladesh, the Trinamool Congress on Tuesday urged the central government to ask the United Nations to immediately dispatch peacekeeping forces to the neighbouring country.

TMC's Sudip Bandyopadhyay raised the issue during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha. He said minorities, including Hindus, are being tortured and killed in Bangladesh and urged the Centre to appeal to the UN to immediately send peacekeeping forces to the country.

Being an immediate neighbour of Bangladesh, West Bengal is directly affected by the happenings there. In the past too, there had been an influx of refugees, he said.

Bandyopadhyay said the government has so far maintained silence on the issue and asked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to apprise the House of the latest developments in the matter.

Reportedly, there have been more than 200 attacks on Hindus in 50 districts of Bangladesh since the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government on August 5.

Hindus constitute about 8 per cent of Bangladesh's population of 170 million.

Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav takes up the issue of Sambhal violence in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. "...The incident that took place in Sambhal is a well-planned conspiracy and the brotherhood in Sambhal has been shot. The talks of excavation throughout the country done by BJP and its allies will destroy the brotherhood of the country..," said Akhilesh.

During a discussion of wage disbursement under MGNREGA, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said "...MNREGA funds go to Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana on the basis of labour component and I think that perhaps the GoI has permitted it. Do MNREGA funds go to the state government's scheme Abua Awas Yojana, is it permitted in the labour component? If it is not permitted, then what action have you taken? I want to ask this from the Minister (Shivraj Singh Chouhan)..." Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says "MNREGA money is for paying wages to labourers. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana also, wages can be given to the member of the family whose house is being built. If this money goes to the Abua Awas Yojana, we will investigate it and if it has been misused, we will take action against it."

Almost the entire opposition in the Lok Sabha, including Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday staged a brief walkout from the House over the recent violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal.

As soon as the House assembled to take up the Question Hour, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav rose from his seat and raised the issue, seeking Speaker Om Birla's permission to speak on the subject.

"This is a very serious matter. Five people have lost their lives," Yadav was heard saying.

As the Speaker said members could raise the issue in the Zero Hour, Yadav and his party colleagues started to walk out in protest. Some SP members, meanwhile, rushed to the Well, raising slogans.

While the SP members were protesting in the Well of the House, DMK member A Raja was seen exhorting other opposition members, including those from the Congress, to rise from their seats and join the SP protest.

NCP and Shiv Sena-UBT members stood up in support of the Samajwadi Party MPs.

Some of the Congress members also rose to their feet and Leader of the Opposition in the House Rahul Gandhi came to the isle in support of the protest.

While the protest was on, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reached out to Yadav to discuss the issue.

After some time, Yadav was seen gesturing his party's MPs to leave and the opposition members, including Gandhi, staged a walkout.

The MPs then returned to participate in the ongoing Question Hour.

KC Venugopal, during the discussion on MGNREGA, questions why a large number of workers have been deleted from the beneficiary list. MoS for Rural Development Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani says that the deletion if workers is the responsibility of the State. “Centre has no role in it,” he said. He also added that 57 per cent of the Rural development budget is being given to MANREGA.

"Honorable members, what a paradox. We were talking about the dignity of this house. I have received 42 notices, the highest so far in the last quarter of the century of adoption of Indian constitution. And the notices are under rule 267. One of the notices remarkably is in public domain, whereas by bulletin and otherwise, we have mandated"

On INDIA Alliance's protest at Parliament premises, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "It's a whole set of issues to do with the Modi Govt's policies... To be very honest, itis a sort of clear signal to the ruling party that many of their policies have found very strong opposition throughout the country. While we are going to cooperate in the House from this morning, nonetheless there was one, sort of salvo to be fired as a form of protest before going out to debate and participate in the Parliamentary processes. Essentially, we are marking the end of the protest for the last 6 days in Parliament."

CPI MP P. Sandosh Kumar said, "...INDIA alliance will continue its protest, raising certain very important issues. The Adani related scam, Manipur, Sambhal - to name a few...It is not our wish to get it (the House) adjourned, we have already given 267 notices. But we will make all efforts to see that the House functions. So, for us it is clear. We are here to raise pro-people issues and we will continue with the same with the new models of protest..."

On the proceedings of the House, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "...It is very important for the Parliament to run for the country... If the proceedings of the Parliament are not done properly, then the country and the opposition MPs suffer the most... We can pass the bill even without discussion because we have the majority, however, we do not feel right to do so... If any court order comes against an Indian in another country, will its discussion continue forever in the House?... Many opposition MPs are realizing that disrupting the House is neither in the interest of the country nor in the interest of the opposition... This pressure has come on the Congress leadership that the country does not want the Parliament to be stopped by creating a ruckus like this... The Congress leadership is probably understanding this. I am happy that the House will run smoothly from today. We will discuss the Constitution in the Lok Sabha on the 13th and 14th December and in the Rajya Sabha on the 16th and 17th December..."

MPs of several INDIA bloc parties protested on the Parliament premises on Tuesday over the Adani issue and reiterated their demand for a joint parliamentary probe into the matter.

MPs of the Congress, AAP, RJD, Shiv Sena (UBT), DMK and the Left parties among others raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded accountability.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AAP's Sanjay Singh, RJD's Misa Bharti and Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Arvind Sawant also participated in the protest on the steps leading to the Parliament's Makar Dwar.

The Congress and some other opposition have been demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe following the indictment by US prosecutors of Adani Group chairperson Gautam Adani and other company officials on bribery and fraud charges.

With billionaire Adani charged in the US with alleged bribery and fraud, the Congress has said it "vindicates" its demand for a joint parliamentary committee investigation into the various "scams" involving his conglomerate.

The Adani Group's indictment in the US has given fresh ammunition to opposition parties to demand a joint parliamentary committee probe into the business group's dealings.

Gandhi had sought Adani's immediate arrest.

The Adani Group has denied all allegations as "baseless".

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi gives Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha, over Manipur issue.

Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain gives suspension of business notice in Rajya Sabha to discuss the constitution of a JPC over Adani matter.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "Since the day when the parliament session began, Samajwadi Party has tried to raise the issue of the Sambhal incident. The House didn't function, but our demand is still the same - we want to put our views on the Sambhal incident in the House. The officers out there are working arbitrarily - such that they are working as party workers of the BJP... Sambhal incident is a well-thought strategy of the BJP to deviate people from other issues. Those who want to dig everywhere - someday they will lose the cordiality and brotherhood of the country..."

DMK MP TR Baalu gives Adjournment Motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss damage to standing crops due to heavy rainfall in the districts of Viluppuram, Cuddalore, Chengalpattu in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.