Jaya Bachchan-Dhankhar face-off, LS adjourned sine die: Here’s what happened in Parliament

Dhankhar defended Tiwari’s comments, stating, Tiwari told me he is prepared to apologise if he transgressed any boundary.” However, Congress MPs demanded a formal apology.

The tension escalated when Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan objected to Dhankhar’s “tone”. Bachchan asserted, “I am an artist… But your tone is not right. We are your colleagues, but your tone is unacceptable.” Dhankhar sharply responded, “You know an actor is subject to the director. But every day, I do not want to repeat myself. Enough of it. You may be anybody…You may be a celebrity…You have to understand the decorum…I will not bear it…Never carry an impression that only you build reputations”

Despite his calls for order, the Opposition, led by Sonia Gandhi, staged a walkout. Dhankhar criticized their actions, stating, “You are determined to have your way at the cost of the Constitution.”

Later, Union Minister J P Nadda, also the Leader of the House of Rajya Sabha, moved a censure motion against Bachchan over her remarks targeting Dhankhar.

Joint Parliamentary Committee on Wakf Act

The Lok Sabha adopted the formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to review the Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the bill amid strong objections from the Opposition, who alleged it targeted the Muslim community. Rijiju said, “The Committee is to have 21 Lok Sabha members and 10 Rajya Sabha members.”

Lok Sabha Passes Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill

The Lok Sabha passed the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill on August 9, 2024. Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu stated that the bill would expand air travel opportunities, focusing on seaplane and helicopter designs. He also mentioned that a dedicated team in the Ministry would address airfares.

‘No Data Available’ government

Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram criticised the NDA government, dubbing it the “No Data Available” government, particularly in relation to the Ayushman Bharat scheme. “The Centre has no data on disabled people who seek benefits,” he said. Congress MP Ajay Maken voiced concerns over the Chairman’s perceived bias, saying, “How can democracy work if the opposition voice is not heard in Rajya Sabha?”

Centre Withdraws Funding for Border Project

In a significant move, the Centre has withdrawn Rs 66 crore initially earmarked for a crucial border road project connecting Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district with Myanmar’s Chin state. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar attributed the withdrawal to the state government’s failure to provide land by the June deadline. The project will now be integrated into a broader road initiative, while Rs 669.75 crore has been allocated for a new NIT campus in Lengpui.

Public Procurement Milestone

In a notable achievement, public procurement through the Government e-Market (GeM) portal has surpassed Rs 9.82 lakh crore as of July 30, 2024. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada highlighted the platform’s growth since its launch in 2016, noting that it now features over 1.63 lakh women-led micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and 25,000 startups. With more than 63,000 government buyer organizations and over 62 lakh sellers, GeM stands as the second-largest public procurement platform globally, trailing only South Korea’s KONEPS.

Bengaluru’s Metropolitan Status Denied

In a blow to residents, Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary announced that the Centre has no plans to designate Bengaluru as a metropolitan city. Consequently, residents will miss out on the 50% income tax exemption on House Rent Allowance (HRA) available to those in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. Chaudhary emphasized the government’s focus on rationalizing tax rates rather than expanding exemptions, leaving Bengaluru residents with only a 40% exemption under Section 10(13A) of the Income Tax Act.

Commemorating the Quit India Movement

The Parliament paid tribute to the 82nd anniversary of the Quit India Movement, with both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha honoring the martyrs. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar emphasized the movement’s enduring significance, recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s call to action in 1942. Speaker Om Birla also honored the sacrifices of participants and martyrs, marking a moment of reflection amidst the political fray.

Lok Sabha adjourned sine die

The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Friday, a day earlier than planned. Originally scheduled to conclude on August 12, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the indefinite adjournment. The Rajya Sabha also followed suit, adjourning sine die. During this session, the Finance Bill was passed, and a bill to amend the Waqf law was introduced and referred to a joint committee amid protests. Birla noted, “The productivity of the House was above 130 per cent,” highlighting the session’s efficiency despite the disruptions.