Parliament Budget Session Highlights: Ganga water was fit for bathing during Maha Kumbh, Govt tells Parliament

The ongoing war of words between the ruling BJP and DMK led to disruptions in the Lok Sabha Monday, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan forced to withdraw certain remarks following protests by Tamil Nadu MPs.

During the face-off in Question Hour, Pradhan accused the DMK government in Tamil Nadu of being “dishonest” and playing “politics” with the future of the state’s students. While criticising the DMK government’s opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP), he also accused it of doing a “U-turn” over PM-SHRI schools, bringing DMK MPs to their feet.

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The government is in the process of setting a special purpose vehicle for making regional transport aircraft, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said on Monday as he asserted that necessary policies are in place for India to manufacture planes and its components.

Replying to questions in the Rajya Sabha, the minister highlighted the steps taken by the government to promote aircraft component manufacturing and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) activities, including having a uniform IGST rate.

India is one of the world's fastest growing civil aviation markets and domestic carriers have placed orders for more than 1,500 planes as they expand their fleets to meet rising air traffic demand.

"We have changed the thought process that we have when it comes to manufacturing of aircraft. We are saying that India is at the stage right now where we can manufacture, we can design and we can maintain an aircraft," Naidu said.

Elaborating about the way forward, the minister said the government has adopted a holistic approach and is in the process of setting a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for manufacturing regional transport aircraft.

"We have a plan to create an SPV for five years, which is going to bring in all the necessary stakeholders... study the existing picture in the country and create a road map...," he said and added that the idea is to make the aircraft in five years.

(PTI)

The government on Monday sought Parliament nod to spend net additional Rs 51,462.86 crore in the current financial year ending March, with a large chunk going towards pension and subsidy on fertiliser.

The gross additional spending sought by the government is over Rs 6.78 lakh crore, of which Rs 6.27 lakh crore would be matched by savings and receipts.

The net additional spending by the government would be Rs 51,462.86 crore in the current fiscal, as per the second batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha.

The additional expenditure includes Rs 12,000 crore towards fertiliser subsidy and Rs 13,449 crore towards pension for government employees, including for Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

The total spending also includes defence pension of Rs 8,476 crore and Rs 5,322 crore to the Department of Telecommunications.

(PTI)

Rajya Sabha BJP member Sanjay Seth on Monday expressed concerns over the rising cases of cyber crimes and bank frauds in the country and demanded setting up of a fast track court to deal with such frauds.

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour in the House, Seth said a large number of people use digital and online payment systems, but due to inadequate security measures, many of them lose their hard-earned income to cyber frauds within seconds.

Seth stressed that while digital India is being promoted in the country, the financial security of citizens too should get equal priority.

(PTI)

Responding to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s remarks on Tamil Nadu’s 'U-turn' on the PM-SHRI scheme, DMK MP T. Sumathy said that the state education minister and their delegation never agreed to it. "CM Stalin will never sign the NEP or accept the 3-language formula," she said.

In a gentle reminder, Sumathy added, "Education is still a matter in the concurrent list; this is an attack on the federal structure."

Assam BJP leader Dilip Saikia calls for making Sanskrit a compulsory subject in schools. "At least one Sanskrit school and college should be open in all states," he said.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor drew attention in Lok Sabha in support of Asha workers, highlighting the meager and often delayed remuneration they receive, leaving their families struggling financially. "In Kerala, these workers are paid only ₹7,000 a month, and the government has failed to pay them for several months," he said.

Recognising their crucial role in healthcare response, Tharoor pointed out that despite being overburdened with responsibilities and working 12-14 hours a day, they continue to remain dedicated "volunteers." The Congress MP called for official recognition for Asha workers.

Referring to them as the "unsung heroes" of India’s healthcare system, Tharoor questioned the reason behind their plight. "Is it because they are women that their labor is taken for granted and not properly valued?" he asked.

"Their ongoing protests emphasise the systemic undervaluation of community health workers in India," he added.

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, calls for a discussion on the voter list, agrees with Speaker Om Birla.

"We accept your stance that the government doesn't create the voter list, but questions are rising about it across the country. The entire opposition is demanding a discussion on the voter list," he said.

Proceedings in the Lower House resumes. Speaker Om Birla warned protesting opposition of action if Parliament is disrespected.

The scheme, approved in 2022, seeks to develop 14,500 schools to “showcase” the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, and be “exemplars” for other schools in their region. The scheme is for existing elementary, secondary, and senior secondary schools run by the central government and state and local governments around the country.

PM SHRI schools are selected through the “challenge mode” — schools that meet certain minimum benchmarks (including a pucca building in good condition, barrier-free access ramps, at least one toilet each for boys and girls) can apply online.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 12om amid protests by DMK MPs over remarks by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on PM SHRI scheme.

Responding to the DMK MP’s comments over state funds, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “The DMK is ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students. They are being unjust and undemocratic.”

He added that the Tamil Nadu government had initially agreed to sign an MoU for accepting the PM-Shri scheme, but later made a U-turn on the decision.

"It’s a vicious design to demean the institution of Parliament. They are not interested in debate but want to give an impression that the government does not want to answer or enter into a debate," he said.

DMK leader attacked the government over implementation of National Education Policy in Tamil Nadu. "Will the union government assure the parliament that no state will face fund cut for rejecting a policy not mandated by law," questioned DMK leader Dr T. Sumathy

"They are uncivilised, undemocratic people and not committed to the Tamil Nadu students. They are ruining their future. They are dishonest to the people of Tamil Nadu," responded Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Chaos erupts in Parliament during Question Hour. Speaker Om Birla requests the Opposition to quiet down and let the minister speak. "This is not right, is against the values of Parliament, don't violate it".

DMK leader Dr T. Sumathy question in Parliament:

Is it right to use financial allocation which is meant for school education of children as a revengeful tool against the state government? Will the union government assure the parliament that no state will face fund cut for rejecting a policy not mandated by law.

Responding to the DMK MP’s comments over state funds, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, "The DMK is ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students. They are being unjust and undemocratic."

He added that the Tamil Nadu government had initially agreed to sign an MoU for accepting the PM-Shri scheme, but later made a U-turn on the decision.

Proceedings resume in the lower house of the Parliament as the second half of the Budget session begins. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged political parties to ensure smooth functioning of Question Hour in the House.

On issue of duplicate voter cards, TMC MP Sagarika Ghose said, "West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and TMC have shown the truth about duplicate voter epic card. Correct electoral roles are important in democracy, and the ECI has accepted this. This is a political victory for us, and we will raise this issue in the Parliament."

Lok Sabha Speaker has urged all the members attending the BAC to continue the Question Hour. Railway, Agriculture, Jal Shakti among the ministries whose demands will be discussed, said Lok Sabha sources to PTI

The upcoming budget session set to resume today will also see the opposition raising issues on US tariffs, deportation of illegal Indian immigrants.

📌 The Congress has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take Parliament into confidence on US President Donald Trump’s statement that India has agreed to cut its tariffs “way down” as he repeated his claim that the latter charges America massive tariffs.

📌 The Congress and other INDIA parties are also going to raise “strongly”, the row over the deportation of illegal Indian immigrants from the US in chains would also be raked up by them.

The Union Cabinet has cleared all 14 amendments to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 proposed by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) last month and will be presented today, in the second part of the Budget session.

What is the row about?

📌The Bill was introduced in August last year to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, which governs the management of waqf properties in India. It proposed sweeping changes which give the government a foot in the door in regulating waqf properties, and settling disputes regarding such properties.

📌Amidst criticism from the Opposition, the Bill had been referred to a JPC. On January 27, the Committee headed by BJP MP Jagadambika Pal cleared 14 amendments proposed by the BJP and its allies, while rejecting 44 amendments proposed by the Opposition. The amendments cleared by the JPC, and now the Union Cabinet, address some of the more contentious parts of the Bill. Read more

Now that the opposition is set with its agendas, the government also has its priorities straight.

Here's what it looks like:

📌 The key focus of the government will be on getting Parliament nod for the demands for grants, completion of the budgetary process, seeking approval for the Manipur budget and passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill.

Finance Minister will table the Budget for Manipur, which has been under President's Rule since February 13 after the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

Union Home Minister will also expected to move a statutory resolution seeking Parliament approval for the proclamation of President’s Rule in Manipur.

With the second half of budget session starting today, the opposition is ready for fiery start as it plans to raise concerns over matters like the alleged manipulation of electoral rolls, the recent surge in violence in Manipur.

Debrief below:

📌 The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has warned of nationwide movement if the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is likely to be tabled during the session, gets a nod.

📌 The Trinamool Congress (TMC) will raise the issue of voter ID number duplication in the second half of Parliament’s Budget Session that starts on Monday, party leader Derek O’Brien said.

📌 Sources said that while the tariff offensive by the US will be among the issues that the Congress and other INDIA parties are going to raise “strongly”, the row over the deportation of illegal Indian immigrants from the US in chains would also be raked up by them.

📌The DMK would also raise the issue of alleged “Hindi imposition” through the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The issue would be a test for the Congress, which has to balance its Southern interests with its revival plans in the North, where Bihar is slated for the Assembly polls later this year.