Parliament Winter Session Day 8 LIVE: Both Houses Adjourned Till Friday, Rajya Sabha Passes Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024

The motion for the passage of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 was moved by Civil Aviation Minister K Rammanmohan Naidu to which the number of 'Ayes' or yes got the majority, thus passing the bill in the Upper House.

Amid uproar over the Railways Amendment Bill 2024, while Railways Minister Ashwnini Vaishnaw was speaking on the issue, the opposition continued sloganeering, prompting the chair Jagadambika Pal to adjourn Lok Sabha till Friday.

In his concluding remark, Pal said, " When the entire nation wants to know about the changes to be brought by the bill, it seems the opposition is not in a mood to hear it out patiently".

Rajya Sabha proceedings resumed at 2 pm.

The commotion in the House persists as Kiren Rijiju highlights the unruly behavior of the Congress party. He states, “The Congress has turned the House into a fashion show with their choice of attire, and we condemn this.” He further urges the Opposition to pay attention to the Railway Minister's response.

Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw begins to address the issues raised by the Members of Parliament. Jagdambika Pal encourages the Opposition to exit the well of the House and listen to the Minister's reply. Meanwhile, Nishikanth Dubey rises to speak, indicating that he is not finished with his remarks.

As the slogans from the Opposition continue, Jagdambika Pal again urges the Opposition leaders to listen to the Railway Minister and refrain from disrupting the proceedings of the House.

The house then adjourned till 3 pm.

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm.

In response to TMC member Saket Gokhale's question on India’s position on Israel banning UNRWA and illegal settlements in the West Bank, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar replied: “Regarding our support and contribution to UNRWA, this is a decision which we took as a government and we continue to stand by it. We have just released the latest tranche of support to the UNRWA.”

“We support the two-state solution. We have been public and unambiguous about that and there should be no cause for confusion,” he added

DMK member Tiruchi Siva questioned why India abstained from the United Nations resolution on “Protection of Civilians and Upholding Legal and Humanitarian Obligations” on October 27, 2023.

In response, Jaishankar explained, “In the U.N. General Assembly, we have voted on a number of resolutions. We have voted in favour of many and abstained on some. Typically, when we abstain, it is because the resolution is not balanced, is divisive, may set a concerning precedent for us, or has larger implications. In this particular case, we believed the resolution was poorly drafted and not well considered. Our concerns regarding the language were not addressed, which is why we chose to abstain.”

Four contractors have been held responsible for deficiencies detected in the construction of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and strict action will be taken against them, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday.

After taking note of the matter, experts from IIT Kharagpur and Gandhinagar inspected the expressway and found deficiencies in its construction.

"We have issued notices to four contractors and will blacklist them. Strict action will be taken. Action will also be taken against concerned officials," the transport minister said during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.

"After noting deficiencies, we had roped in experts from IIT Kharagpur and IIT Gandhinagar. Initial findings of the report show there are deficiencies in the construction," Gadkari said.

He said the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is the country's longest road and was constructed in the shortest time.

"The expressway was constructed at a cost of Rs 1 lakh crore. It has reduced the distance between Delhi and Mumbai by 200 km. The travel time between the two cities has now reduced to 12 hours," he said

Responding to a question by PP Suneer on India’s position on the ICC warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister of Israel Yoav Gallant, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said: “India is not a member of the International Criminal Court. When the ICC was constituted, the question of our membership was considered for very good reason, after a great deal of deliberation, India decided not to become a member. So, with regard to any decision passed by the ICC, it is not binding on us. It is not a matter on which we have taken a formal position.”

On Opposition MPs' protest over Adani matter, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said, "...It would have been better if the people who call themselves as LoP would have done 'Parikrama' of Ram Janmabhoomi temple... Those who are doing political drama here, it would have been better if they had gone and sat at Rajghat."

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Thursday following certain remarks made by BJP member Nishikant Dubey and opposition uproar over the violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal.

As soon as Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla took up the Zero Hour at noon, opposition members were on their feet demanding that they be allowed to raise the issue of violence in Sambhal in the House.

The Speaker said he would allow some opposition members to raise the issue after Dubey makes his submissions before the House.

Trouble broke out when Dubey sought to draw some linkages between a foreign investor and a section of opposition leaders and claimed an international conspiracy was afoot to derail India's success story under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Amid the din, the Speaker called Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi to raise the issue of violence in Sambhal. Gogoi tried to counter the allegations levelled by Dubey leading to uproar in the House.

The Speaker then adjourned proceedings as unruly scenes continued in the House.

The Rajya Sabha which was adjourned minutes after resuming on Thursday resumed business at 12pm.

Opposition MPs raise slogans for a discussion on Sambhal in Lok Sabha.

After the Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were stopped from going to the violence-hit Sambhal, BJP leader and Chairman, of JPC on Waqf (Amendment) bill, Jagdambika Pal on Thursday said that he could have raised the issue in Parliament but he is "not interested" in running the Parliament session.
"If Rahul Gandhi is MP and LoP, he should have been present in the Parliament where the problems of 140 crore people of India are highlighted...one unfortunate incident happened there, the administration is normalising the situation and ordered not to come...if you want to ensure peace, you could have done it from here as well...he could have raised the issue in Parliament but he is not interested in running the Parliament session," Pal told ANI.
Earlier today, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal gave an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha, over the issue of Rahul Gandhi being stopped on his way to visit the violence-hit Sambhal.

Sougata Ray, Trinamool Congress MP from Dumdum in West Bengal, stated, “Six airports have been built at a cost of ₹5,260 crore and have been handed over to private companies.” He further asked, “I want to know if one of these private companies is Adani?”

In response, the Minister confirmed, “Yes, the investment of ₹5,260 crore that has gone into the infrastructure of the airports, which have now been leased out, has already been returned to the Airport Authority.”

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12pm, minutes after resuming on Thursday.

"Modi ji can't get Adani ji investigated because if he does that, he would be getting himself investigated...Modi aur Adani ek hain. Do nahi hain, ek hain," said LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi as he joined Opposition MPs in protest over the Adani matter.

Question Hour is on in Lok Sabha.

Opposition MPs, including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, protested over the Adani matter, at the Parliament premises in the national capital. Opposition MPs wore jackets symbolising their protest over the Adani issue and wore jackets mentioned: "Modi Adani Ek Hai, Adani safe hai." "Modi ji can't get Adani ji investigated because if he does that, he would be getting himself investigated...Modi aur Adani ek hain. Do nahi hain, ek hain," said LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi as he joined Opposition MPs in protest over Adani matter.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Thursday gave an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha, over the issue of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi being stopped on his way to visit the violence-hit Sambhal. "In a shocking and unprecedented incident, the Leader of the Opposition, Shri Rahul Gandhi, along with a delegation of Members of Parliament, was blocked by the authorities while on their way to visit the bereaved families of the victims in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh," Venugopal stated in a notice.

He further said that the act "denying permission to the Leader of the Opposition and the Members of Parliament is a grave assault on democratic norms, parliamentary privileges, and the constitutional right to freedom of movement." Venugopal said that such actions are "deplorable and warrant an immediate discussion" in the House to uphold the sanctity of democratic principles and accountability. "This denial of access to an elected representative and his delegation undermines the spirit of democracy, which mandates that opposition voices and their roles in expressing solidarity with citizens in distress be respected," he stated.

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is set to hold a meeting on Thursday. The opposition members in the Joint Parliament Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 had requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for an extension to the panel's tenure.

Earlier on November 27, after the opposition MPS walked out of the JPC meeting, the Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and Bharatiya Janata Party MP Jagdambika Pal stated that the members who wished to be heard should not have boycotted the meeting.

Pal added that he had addressed all members' opinions and concerns."In the last three months, we held 29 meetings, and more than 147 delegations participated. We have given opportunities to all organisations as per the JPC's mandate. If the Opposition MPs feel more people need to be heard, boycotting the meeting is not the right approach. I have listened to all members, including Sanjay Singh, Kalyan Banerjee, and Asaduddin Owaisi," he said.

Since August 22, the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, has held several meetings, reviewing the work of six ministries and around 195 organisations. Of these, 146 organisations were heard across the country, and the secretariat received nearly 95 lakh suggestions related to the Waqf Bill.

The motion for the passage of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 was moved by Civil Aviation Minister K Rammanmohan Naidu to which the number of 'Ayes' or yes got the majority, thus passing the bill in the Upper House.

Amid uproar over the Railways Amendment Bill 2024, while Railways Minister Ashwnini Vaishnaw was speaking on the issue, the opposition continued sloganeering, prompting the chair Jagadambika Pal to adjourn Lok Sabha till Friday.

In his concluding remark, Pal said, " When the entire nation wants to know about the changes to be brought by the bill, it seems the opposition is not in a mood to hear it out patiently".

Rajya Sabha proceedings resumed at 2 pm.

The commotion in the House persists as Kiren Rijiju highlights the unruly behavior of the Congress party. He states, “The Congress has turned the House into a fashion show with their choice of attire, and we condemn this.” He further urges the Opposition to pay attention to the Railway Minister's response.

Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw begins to address the issues raised by the Members of Parliament. Jagdambika Pal encourages the Opposition to exit the well of the House and listen to the Minister's reply. Meanwhile, Nishikanth Dubey rises to speak, indicating that he is not finished with his remarks.

As the slogans from the Opposition continue, Jagdambika Pal again urges the Opposition leaders to listen to the Railway Minister and refrain from disrupting the proceedings of the House.

The house then adjourned till 3 pm.

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm.

In response to TMC member Saket Gokhale's question on India’s position on Israel banning UNRWA and illegal settlements in the West Bank, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar replied: “Regarding our support and contribution to UNRWA, this is a decision which we took as a government and we continue to stand by it. We have just released the latest tranche of support to the UNRWA.”

“We support the two-state solution. We have been public and unambiguous about that and there should be no cause for confusion,” he added

DMK member Tiruchi Siva questioned why India abstained from the United Nations resolution on “Protection of Civilians and Upholding Legal and Humanitarian Obligations” on October 27, 2023.

In response, Jaishankar explained, “In the U.N. General Assembly, we have voted on a number of resolutions. We have voted in favour of many and abstained on some. Typically, when we abstain, it is because the resolution is not balanced, is divisive, may set a concerning precedent for us, or has larger implications. In this particular case, we believed the resolution was poorly drafted and not well considered. Our concerns regarding the language were not addressed, which is why we chose to abstain.”

Four contractors have been held responsible for deficiencies detected in the construction of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and strict action will be taken against them, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday.

After taking note of the matter, experts from IIT Kharagpur and Gandhinagar inspected the expressway and found deficiencies in its construction.

"We have issued notices to four contractors and will blacklist them. Strict action will be taken. Action will also be taken against concerned officials," the transport minister said during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.

"After noting deficiencies, we had roped in experts from IIT Kharagpur and IIT Gandhinagar. Initial findings of the report show there are deficiencies in the construction," Gadkari said.

He said the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is the country's longest road and was constructed in the shortest time.

"The expressway was constructed at a cost of Rs 1 lakh crore. It has reduced the distance between Delhi and Mumbai by 200 km. The travel time between the two cities has now reduced to 12 hours," he said

Responding to a question by PP Suneer on India’s position on the ICC warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister of Israel Yoav Gallant, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said: “India is not a member of the International Criminal Court. When the ICC was constituted, the question of our membership was considered for very good reason, after a great deal of deliberation, India decided not to become a member. So, with regard to any decision passed by the ICC, it is not binding on us. It is not a matter on which we have taken a formal position.”

On Opposition MPs' protest over Adani matter, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said, "...It would have been better if the people who call themselves as LoP would have done 'Parikrama' of Ram Janmabhoomi temple... Those who are doing political drama here, it would have been better if they had gone and sat at Rajghat."

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Thursday following certain remarks made by BJP member Nishikant Dubey and opposition uproar over the violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal.

As soon as Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla took up the Zero Hour at noon, opposition members were on their feet demanding that they be allowed to raise the issue of violence in Sambhal in the House.

The Speaker said he would allow some opposition members to raise the issue after Dubey makes his submissions before the House.

Trouble broke out when Dubey sought to draw some linkages between a foreign investor and a section of opposition leaders and claimed an international conspiracy was afoot to derail India's success story under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Amid the din, the Speaker called Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi to raise the issue of violence in Sambhal. Gogoi tried to counter the allegations levelled by Dubey leading to uproar in the House.

The Speaker then adjourned proceedings as unruly scenes continued in the House.

The Rajya Sabha which was adjourned minutes after resuming on Thursday resumed business at 12pm.

Opposition MPs raise slogans for a discussion on Sambhal in Lok Sabha.

After the Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were stopped from going to the violence-hit Sambhal, BJP leader and Chairman, of JPC on Waqf (Amendment) bill, Jagdambika Pal on Thursday said that he could have raised the issue in Parliament but he is "not interested" in running the Parliament session.
"If Rahul Gandhi is MP and LoP, he should have been present in the Parliament where the problems of 140 crore people of India are highlighted...one unfortunate incident happened there, the administration is normalising the situation and ordered not to come...if you want to ensure peace, you could have done it from here as well...he could have raised the issue in Parliament but he is not interested in running the Parliament session," Pal told ANI.
Earlier today, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal gave an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha, over the issue of Rahul Gandhi being stopped on his way to visit the violence-hit Sambhal.

Sougata Ray, Trinamool Congress MP from Dumdum in West Bengal, stated, “Six airports have been built at a cost of ₹5,260 crore and have been handed over to private companies.” He further asked, “I want to know if one of these private companies is Adani?”

In response, the Minister confirmed, “Yes, the investment of ₹5,260 crore that has gone into the infrastructure of the airports, which have now been leased out, has already been returned to the Airport Authority.”

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12pm, minutes after resuming on Thursday.

"Modi ji can't get Adani ji investigated because if he does that, he would be getting himself investigated...Modi aur Adani ek hain. Do nahi hain, ek hain," said LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi as he joined Opposition MPs in protest over the Adani matter.

Question Hour is on in Lok Sabha.

Opposition MPs, including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, protested over the Adani matter, at the Parliament premises in the national capital. Opposition MPs wore jackets symbolising their protest over the Adani issue and wore jackets mentioned: "Modi Adani Ek Hai, Adani safe hai." "Modi ji can't get Adani ji investigated because if he does that, he would be getting himself investigated...Modi aur Adani ek hain. Do nahi hain, ek hain," said LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi as he joined Opposition MPs in protest over Adani matter.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Thursday gave an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha, over the issue of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi being stopped on his way to visit the violence-hit Sambhal. "In a shocking and unprecedented incident, the Leader of the Opposition, Shri Rahul Gandhi, along with a delegation of Members of Parliament, was blocked by the authorities while on their way to visit the bereaved families of the victims in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh," Venugopal stated in a notice.

He further said that the act "denying permission to the Leader of the Opposition and the Members of Parliament is a grave assault on democratic norms, parliamentary privileges, and the constitutional right to freedom of movement." Venugopal said that such actions are "deplorable and warrant an immediate discussion" in the House to uphold the sanctity of democratic principles and accountability. "This denial of access to an elected representative and his delegation undermines the spirit of democracy, which mandates that opposition voices and their roles in expressing solidarity with citizens in distress be respected," he stated.

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is set to hold a meeting on Thursday. The opposition members in the Joint Parliament Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 had requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for an extension to the panel's tenure.

Earlier on November 27, after the opposition MPS walked out of the JPC meeting, the Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and Bharatiya Janata Party MP Jagdambika Pal stated that the members who wished to be heard should not have boycotted the meeting.

Pal added that he had addressed all members' opinions and concerns."In the last three months, we held 29 meetings, and more than 147 delegations participated. We have given opportunities to all organisations as per the JPC's mandate. If the Opposition MPs feel more people need to be heard, boycotting the meeting is not the right approach. I have listened to all members, including Sanjay Singh, Kalyan Banerjee, and Asaduddin Owaisi," he said.

Since August 22, the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, has held several meetings, reviewing the work of six ministries and around 195 organisations. Of these, 146 organisations were heard across the country, and the secretariat received nearly 95 lakh suggestions related to the Waqf Bill.