New Delhi: The Parliamentary session began in the Lok Sabha at 10:30 am and in Rajya Sabha at 11 am on Tuesday. The proceedings in the Lok Sabha were adjourned in the first hour amid chaos by the opposition. The houses saw a ruckus today on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's comments made at a rally in Rajasthan on Monday, wherein he said that 'not even a dog of the BJP was lost for the country', while the Congress sacrificed several of its great leaders for the country's independence.
In today's session, the Lok Sabha shall consider the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022 into consideration for passing. While the Rajya Sabha will consider the Appropriation (No.5) Bill, 2022, and the Appropriation (No.4) Bill, 2022 for return, and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022 for passing.
The BJP meanwhile held its Parliamentary party meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today in presence of other prominent BJP leaders and party MPs. The meeting was held in New Delhi and was attended by national president JP Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and V Muraleedharan.
The Winter Session of Parliament is likely to conclude on December 23, a week ahead of schedule, official sources said on Tuesday. The decision to recommend early conclusion of the session was taken at a meeting of Lok Sabha's Business Advisory Committee chaired by Speaker Om Birla, they said. The Winter Session began on December 7 and was originally scheduled to end on December 29. Several Opposition leaders had urged the government and Birla to end the session early, citing Christmas and New Year festivities.
Here are some key developments in the parliamentary proceedings today:
10:30 AM, Lok Sabha | Lok Sabha session commences
11:00 AM, Rajya Sabha | Rajya Sabha session commences
11.07 AM, Rajya Sabha | PT Usha announced a part of the Vice Chairman panel in RS
In a first, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar announced that nominated member PT Usha shall now onwards be considered a member of the panel of Vice Chairman in the Upper House.
11:09 AM, Lok Sabha | Lok Sabha adjourned
Amid heated exchanges between BJP and the Opposition members, Lok Sabha proceedings on Tuesday were adjourned till 11.30 am over certain remarks by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. As soon as the House met for the day, members from the Treasury benches sought to raise the issue of the remarks by the Congress leader on Monday, and subsequently, Opposition members also started to protest.
11:30 AM, Lok Sabha | Lok Sabha session resumes amid chaos
11:57 AM, Rajya Sabha | Kharge gives clarification on his 'dog' remark
"What I said during Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan's Alwar was outside the House. What I said was politically outside the House, not inside. There is no need to discuss that here. Secondly, I can still say that they had no role in the freedom struggle. 'Maafi maangne waale log' are asking people who fought the freedom struggle to apologize."
Read full report: Rajya Sabha: Kharge stands ground, refuses to apologise on his 'remarks'
12:03 PM, Rajya Sabha | Joint opposition stages a walkout over 'misuse of National Human Rights Commission in Bihar hooch tragedy'
The Opposition alleged that the NHRC only visits opposition-ruled states for investigations while skipping BJP-governed Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Dola Sen of the TMC, while making her Zero Hour submission, said it is unfortunate that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is visiting Bihar and goes to Bengal, but does not visit Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
Read full report: Constitutional institutions being 'misused': JD(U) MP on NHRC probing Bihar hooch case
12:45 PM, Rajya Sabha | INC's Fauzia Khan raises the issue of prevalent sale of acids leading to acid attacks
Despite the existence of laws against acid attacks, the crime continues unabated. The reason is that acid can be procured easily, as the implementation of regulations is not taken seriously. There is a high prevalence of illegal sales of acid.
Recently on December 14, a girl from Delhi was attacked by three assailants, who later got arrested. They had allegedly procured the substance through Flipkart. Nature of crime remains the same, but modes are changing. HCL is available on e-commerce websites as toilet cleaners for as less as Rs. 189. Request to implement stricter rules and ensure better implementation.
Read full report: NCP MP flags easy availability of acid on e-commerce platforms
12:51 PM, Lok Sabha | Amit Shah moves bill to amend Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act in Lok Sabha
Home Minister Amit Shah moved a bill to amend the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act in Lok Sabha, 2002 which will be referred to a Joint Committee of the Houses consisting of 21 Members from the House.
Read full report: Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill referred to joint committee of Parliament
1:00 PM | Both Houses adjourned till 2 PM
2:00 PM | Proceedings of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha resume
2:05 PM, Rajya Sabha | Appropriation Bills 4 and 5 taken up for discussion
2:06 PM, Rajya Sabha | INC MP Dr. Amee Yajnik alleges gross
Citing theLok Sabha's authorization to the government to spend Rs 3.25 lakh crore in the current financial year, Amee Yajnik said it was a big amount for which Parliament's approval is being sought. "The moot question that arises is how come there is so much error in planning? I would like to know from the honourable finance minister, was it devoid of any priorities or was there any misplaced focus when the monies were allocated?" she asked. "Whatever it is or whatever it may be, it definitely indicates a gross miscalculation of expenditure," Yajnik added
Read full report: Gross miscalculation of expenses: Oppn slams Centre seeking additional spending of Rs 3.25 lakh cr
2:09 PM, Rajya Sabha | CPM MP V Sivadasan asks for data on states which faced shortfall of revenue expenditure on education and health
CPI (M) MP V Sivadasan asks if the central government has data on the states which faced a shortfall of revenue as they "spend a major share of expenditure on welfare sectors like education and health." Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responds, says Education (sector) received more than Rs 1-lakh crore like never before in the Budget of 2022-23. Education has been given high priority and we have given that kind of allocation.
Read full report: GST compensation of Rs 17,176 crore pending to states as on June: Govt in RS
2:30 PM, Rajya Sabha | SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal raises the issue of drug abuse in Punjab
Punjab is a burning and smoking volcano, on the brink of a civil war if it is not controlled. The govt is only interested in looting Punjab and spending it to make Kejriwal and his government shine across the nation. Strong action needs to be taken to control the menace of narco-terrorism which has spread across the country.
3:00 PM, Rajya Sabha | Manoj Jha raises issue of farmers or soldiers not being prioritized
We have Appropriation Bills in place but neither the soldiers nor the farmers in this country are safe. I saw a banner of India’s G20 Presidency which read 'Mother of democracy hosts G20'. This Mother is not in good health right now. Neither her children - the farmers and the soldiers are safe.
3:15 PM, Rajya Sabha | RS Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar says he received requests from students willing to attend Parliament proceedings
I have got requests from several educational institutions, students are volunteering and expressing wishes to attend proceedings of the House. I would greatly appreciate that too. When we have professors and experienced people speaking here, it would be a great idea to have their students also in the gallery.
3:21 PM, Rajya Sabha | CPIM's John Brittas talks about demonetization being called a matter of 'academic interest', takes a dig at media being dysfunctional
When the Supreme Court finally took up the matter of demonetisation for adjudication, the Centre submitted an 'alibi' in Court stating that it is only a matter of 'academic interest'. Billions of lives were ruined and devastated. How can the Government call this just a matter of academic interest? The government had said demonetization will eradicate black money, and fake currency. That's not the case. What was the benefit of demonetization then?
He also says that none of the newspapers or media are reporting true figures. The media only paints a rosy picture of the government, not even a single critical piece. Even you make more critical comments than the media, he says referring to RS Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar.
3:50 PM, Rajya Sabha | Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi says the Centre is trying to hide its failures by blaming Russia-Ukraine conflict and pandemic
The government has requested for more funds for this year when next year’s budget is set to be presented in February. They cited the reason behind this request to be the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, pandemic, and inflation. But these are mere excuses they are trying to cover up their falures.
The data the government gives on GDP growth has major discrepancies. The World Bank, Moody’s, S&P, OECD, and IMF, all have projected the growth to be negative. Out of 8 crore jobs, only seven lakh have been accepted. Even amid the border dispute with China, one-third of the trade deficit comes from China. The govt refuses to give any details on the border disputes, even as the trade deficit with the country keeps growing.
4:00 PM, Lok Sabha | NCP MP Supriya Sule says drug menace needs collective measures, suggests solutions
The drug menace issue in the country need not be made political. A unanimous agreement has to be put in place to curb the menace. The dark net and cryptocurrency are rampant mediums of drug sale. They are also easily available near schools and colleges.
It is also important to ramp up the rehabilitation of drug addicts. There are success stories like that of Sanjay Dutt and they have had their own challenges. We can use these to tell children, motivating them to say no to drugs. More discussion about drug intake, especially in educational institutions can also help. The Narcotics Control Bureau should also be more accountable. If you pick up a child who needs help, they need not go to jail but to a rehab centre - they need help. They are not convicts. I think we need to relook at this policy.
4:20 PM, Rajya Sabha | Jagdeep Dhankhar says won’t hesitate to suspend business for discussions if notices qualify on merit
I would not hesitate to suspend the scheduled business of the House under Rule 267 even if that was to be done daily, provided that the notices submitted by members qualified on merit. I would however not invoke the rule even once during his term if notices were devoid of merit.
Read full report: Won't hesitate to suspend listed business to take up urgent matters: RS chairman
4:58 PM, Rajya Sabha | Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar says Rajya Sabha will sit till 7 PM today to complete the debate on Appropriation Bills. Finance Ministry will give reply tomorrow.
5:50 PM, Lok Sabha | Opposition raises the issue of drug abuse, blames investigative agencies
Jammu & Kashmir MP Hasnain Masoodi said that the existing laws are enough to combat the drug menace, but the enforcement agency is not up to the mark. Agencies lack special investigative officers. The sampling, seizure and analysis are inadequate and so the prosecution generally fails.
AIMIM MP from Hyderabad Asaduddin Owaisi pointed out that enough budget is not issued to state police forces, stunting them from combating the menace. Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal suggested that people engaged in drug abuse should not be given tickets by political parties.
Read full report: Lok Sabha members demand strict measures to curb drug abuse
5:55 PM, Rajya Sabha | INC's Fauzia Khan says budget estimates for road construction should be rethought
"Almost 8% of the national budget goes into the supplementary demands proposed in the Appropriation Bills. A major part of it will go into road construction. A major part of this from the consolidated fund of India, she says, will be going into road construction. A lot of money could be saved in the overall budget, if estimates in various departments are made wisely."
6:10 PM, Rajya Sabha | BJP MP Dr. Raja Mohan Das Agarwal claims the economy is in good health, cites RBI survey
BJP MP Dr. Raja Mohan Das Agarwal highlighted that 64% of people believe that their near future in the country is going to become better, as recorded in January 2022, according to Consumer Confidence Survey released on December 7. The number has gone up to reach 75% in November.
6:20 PM, Rajya Sabha | Govt claims ₹17,000 crore GST compensation pending to States
GST compensation of ₹17,176 crore is pending to States as on June 2022, the govt told Rajya Sabha while responding to supplementaries during the Question Hour. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said the Centre is giving GST compensation to States for five years. No GST was collected during COVID.
6:30 PM, Lok Sabha | Lower House adjourned for the day, to resume at 11.00 am Wednesday, December 11
6:55 PM, Rajya Sabha | House takes up special mentions
7:46 PM, Rajya Sabha | Upper House adjourned for the day, to resume at 11.00 am Wednesday, December 11
