House adjourns for the day
The House is adjourned till 11 a.m on Wednesday. The discussion on the working of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) will continue on Wednesday.
House passes National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill and Homeopathy Bill
Rajya Sabha budget session 2020
19:45 March 18
17:51 March 18
House discusses on working of ministry of MSME
The discussion on the working of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) stared in the House.
17:18 March 18
House passes Indian System of Medicine Bill and Homeopathy Bill, 2019
House passes Indian System of Medicine Bill and Homeopathy Bill, 2019
The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2019 and The National Commission for Homeopathy Bill, 2019 as amended are passed.
17:12 March 18
Only Ayurveda has the property to improve a person's immunity: BJP leader Trivedi
BJP leader Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi said that only Ayurveda has the property to improve a person's immunity.
"There are no Western medicinal thoughts regarding improving immunity other than providing vitamins and minerals. But now suddenly they are talking about natural medicines. Sushruth's medicinal practices included surgeries even then," he said.
He further said that now Harappa civilisation's surgical instruments are in demand.
"Now surgeries are being considered as a major achievement. A magazine in London had an article about a Ayurvedic surgery that was done in Pune in 17th century, to re-fix a person's nose that got cut off, by a person of the Kumar sect, which now belongs under the OBC category," he added.
16:12 March 18
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh speaks in the House
Jairam Ramesh bats for modern science and modern research into the Indian medical science
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh sought to bring modern science and modern research into the Indian medical science.
"Science has moved on, research keeps moving. Clinical documentation is important. My ears are open, my mind is open. I have a skeptical approach, I am not athiest. I should point out that there are hypocrites. They sing the praises of Indian medicine but they would go to the Western medicine when there is a need," he said.
14:58 March 18
House discusses National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill and Homeopathy Bill, 2019
Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav who is part of the parliamentary committee that scrutinised the Bill, said most of the suggestions have been ignored.
"It is an important Bill. Most of the poor and rural population go to Indian medicine and we should remember that will framing the Bill," he said.
14:45 March 18
Congress MP Rajeev Gowda speaking in the House
Cong MP demands legislation for protection of journalists
Congress MP MV Rajeev Gowda made a demand for enacting a legislation for protection of journalists, claiming India has become one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a journalist.
"There is an urgent need to enact a national legislation for protection of journalists. In the past several years India has become on of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a journalist," he said.
Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu pointed out that he should not make sweeping remarks and cautioned him.
"Let us not make such a sweeping remark. You (Gowda) are a well read person...some report, some international...Member
saying it from Parliament that will be quoted outside also. I am only cautioning...," he said.
Gowda said that last year, India ranked 13th in the global impunity index by the community to protect journalists which
features countries with the worst record of punishing killers of journalists.
14:33 March 18
Masks debut in House
Masks debut in House; MPs demand curtailing of Budget session
Opposition MPs on demanded curtailment of the ongoing Budget session of Parliament in view of spread of coronavirus but the
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said that any decision on it will have to be taken by the government in consultation with stakeholders.
TMC members came to the House wearing protective face masks and were asked by Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to remove
them immediately.
However, when senior Congress leader P Chidambaram urged Naidu to allow MPs to decide on using protective gear
depending on their perception of vulnerability, the chair agreed.
Opposition MPs suggested the Budget session be curtailed to practice social distancing being advocated by the government to limit spread of Covid-19. The session is scheduled to end on April 3.
While MV Rajeev Gowda of the Congress urged the government to either curtail or postpone the Budget session, his senior party colleague Anand Sharma said the government was preaching social distancing but is not following it in Parliament.
Gowda said Rajya Sabha had amongst it many senior citizens as MPs who are extremely vulnerable to coronavirus.
Naidu responded, saying any decision on curtailment of the session will have to be taken by the government in consultation with other stakeholders.
14:20 March 18
TDP member flays hike in excise duty on petrol, diesel
TDP MP K Ravindra Kumar raised the issue of hike in excise duty on petrol it was unfair to deny consumers the benefit of falling international prices.
Raising the issue Kumar said that international crude oil price was USD 65 per barrel in December 2019 and USD 59 in February. This has now fallen to USD 32 per barrel but instead of allowing the benefit of this slump by way of a reduction in retail pump prices, the government raised excise duty.
"It is not fair on part of the government to deny consumers the benefit of fall in crude oil prices," he said demanding a reduction in petrol and diesel prices in step with international rates.
The government had last week raised excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 3 per litre each to mop up gains arising out of falling international oil prices.
13:39 March 18
Congress MP Ripun Bora speaking in the House
Congress MP raises issue of shortage and high prices of santitisers, masks
Congress MP Ripun Bora highlighted problems being faced by people due to shortage and high prices of sanitisers and masks amid outbreak of coronavirus.
Raising the issue in the House, he said that the government has asked people to take precautionary steps like cleaning of hands.
Bora said that there was shortage of sanitisers, soaps and masks not only in metro cities, but also in rural areas of the country.
He said that these items were being sold at exorbitant prices.
The Congress member urged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to monitor the supply, and ensure their availability and proper prices so that there is no panic among the public.
Making a special mention on the coronavirus issue, Sanjay Singh (AAP) stressed on increasing number of testing centres, and follow the model adopted by South Korea in this regard.
He also made a case for increasing the number of quarantine centres as the country should be prepared for a "medical emergency."
11:33 March 18
House discusses on working of ministry of MSME
Lt Gen (Retd.) DP Vats speaking in the House
New Delhi: Lt Gen (Retd.) DP Vats of BJP said that women working in PSU banks, insurance companies do not get child care leave up to two years to take care of their minor children.
AAP leader Sanjay Singh said that more testing centres should be opened for COVID-19.
Gokulakrishnan (AIADMK) said that students of Pondicherry University have been demanding the rights of indigenous people, for reservation.
19:45 March 18
House adjourns for the day
The House is adjourned till 11 a.m on Wednesday. The discussion on the working of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) will continue on Wednesday.
17:51 March 18
House discusses on working of ministry of MSME
The discussion on the working of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) stared in the House.
17:18 March 18
House passes Indian System of Medicine Bill and Homeopathy Bill, 2019
House passes Indian System of Medicine Bill and Homeopathy Bill, 2019
The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2019 and The National Commission for Homeopathy Bill, 2019 as amended are passed.
17:12 March 18
Only Ayurveda has the property to improve a person's immunity: BJP leader Trivedi
BJP leader Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi said that only Ayurveda has the property to improve a person's immunity.
"There are no Western medicinal thoughts regarding improving immunity other than providing vitamins and minerals. But now suddenly they are talking about natural medicines. Sushruth's medicinal practices included surgeries even then," he said.
He further said that now Harappa civilisation's surgical instruments are in demand.
"Now surgeries are being considered as a major achievement. A magazine in London had an article about a Ayurvedic surgery that was done in Pune in 17th century, to re-fix a person's nose that got cut off, by a person of the Kumar sect, which now belongs under the OBC category," he added.
16:12 March 18
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh speaks in the House
Jairam Ramesh bats for modern science and modern research into the Indian medical science
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh sought to bring modern science and modern research into the Indian medical science.
"Science has moved on, research keeps moving. Clinical documentation is important. My ears are open, my mind is open. I have a skeptical approach, I am not athiest. I should point out that there are hypocrites. They sing the praises of Indian medicine but they would go to the Western medicine when there is a need," he said.
14:58 March 18
House discusses National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill and Homeopathy Bill, 2019
Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav who is part of the parliamentary committee that scrutinised the Bill, said most of the suggestions have been ignored.
"It is an important Bill. Most of the poor and rural population go to Indian medicine and we should remember that will framing the Bill," he said.
14:45 March 18
Congress MP Rajeev Gowda speaking in the House
Cong MP demands legislation for protection of journalists
Congress MP MV Rajeev Gowda made a demand for enacting a legislation for protection of journalists, claiming India has become one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a journalist.
"There is an urgent need to enact a national legislation for protection of journalists. In the past several years India has become on of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a journalist," he said.
Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu pointed out that he should not make sweeping remarks and cautioned him.
"Let us not make such a sweeping remark. You (Gowda) are a well read person...some report, some international...Member
saying it from Parliament that will be quoted outside also. I am only cautioning...," he said.
Gowda said that last year, India ranked 13th in the global impunity index by the community to protect journalists which
features countries with the worst record of punishing killers of journalists.
14:33 March 18
Masks debut in House
Masks debut in House; MPs demand curtailing of Budget session
Opposition MPs on demanded curtailment of the ongoing Budget session of Parliament in view of spread of coronavirus but the
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said that any decision on it will have to be taken by the government in consultation with stakeholders.
TMC members came to the House wearing protective face masks and were asked by Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to remove
them immediately.
However, when senior Congress leader P Chidambaram urged Naidu to allow MPs to decide on using protective gear
depending on their perception of vulnerability, the chair agreed.
Opposition MPs suggested the Budget session be curtailed to practice social distancing being advocated by the government to limit spread of Covid-19. The session is scheduled to end on April 3.
While MV Rajeev Gowda of the Congress urged the government to either curtail or postpone the Budget session, his senior party colleague Anand Sharma said the government was preaching social distancing but is not following it in Parliament.
Gowda said Rajya Sabha had amongst it many senior citizens as MPs who are extremely vulnerable to coronavirus.
Naidu responded, saying any decision on curtailment of the session will have to be taken by the government in consultation with other stakeholders.
14:20 March 18
TDP member flays hike in excise duty on petrol, diesel
TDP MP K Ravindra Kumar raised the issue of hike in excise duty on petrol it was unfair to deny consumers the benefit of falling international prices.
Raising the issue Kumar said that international crude oil price was USD 65 per barrel in December 2019 and USD 59 in February. This has now fallen to USD 32 per barrel but instead of allowing the benefit of this slump by way of a reduction in retail pump prices, the government raised excise duty.
"It is not fair on part of the government to deny consumers the benefit of fall in crude oil prices," he said demanding a reduction in petrol and diesel prices in step with international rates.
The government had last week raised excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 3 per litre each to mop up gains arising out of falling international oil prices.
13:39 March 18
Congress MP Ripun Bora speaking in the House
Congress MP raises issue of shortage and high prices of santitisers, masks
Congress MP Ripun Bora highlighted problems being faced by people due to shortage and high prices of sanitisers and masks amid outbreak of coronavirus.
Raising the issue in the House, he said that the government has asked people to take precautionary steps like cleaning of hands.
Bora said that there was shortage of sanitisers, soaps and masks not only in metro cities, but also in rural areas of the country.
He said that these items were being sold at exorbitant prices.
The Congress member urged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to monitor the supply, and ensure their availability and proper prices so that there is no panic among the public.
Making a special mention on the coronavirus issue, Sanjay Singh (AAP) stressed on increasing number of testing centres, and follow the model adopted by South Korea in this regard.
He also made a case for increasing the number of quarantine centres as the country should be prepared for a "medical emergency."
11:33 March 18
House discusses on working of ministry of MSME
Lt Gen (Retd.) DP Vats speaking in the House
New Delhi: Lt Gen (Retd.) DP Vats of BJP said that women working in PSU banks, insurance companies do not get child care leave up to two years to take care of their minor children.
AAP leader Sanjay Singh said that more testing centres should be opened for COVID-19.
Gokulakrishnan (AIADMK) said that students of Pondicherry University have been demanding the rights of indigenous people, for reservation.
Last Updated : Mar 18, 2020, 7:53 PM IST
