Opposition MPs protest over Manipur violence issue in the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Friday, July 21, 2023. (PTI Photo)Parliament Monsoon Session Highlights: The proceedings of both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day on Friday following opposition uproar over various issues, including the situation in violence-hit Manipur. The Rajya Sabha, which was adjourned in the morning session over the Manipur issue and the Chair expunging certain words from proceedings, witnessed uproarious scenes when it reassembled for the post-lunch session. In Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the government was ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence amidst vociferous protests by opposition parties which disrupted the proceedings of the House for the second consecutive day. The members, including those from the Congress, DMK and Left, raised slogans and told Speaker Om Birla that “Manipur is bleeding”.
Earlier, Congress MPs Manickam Tagore and Hibi Eden moved adjournment motions in the Lok Sabha, citing the need for urgent discussions on the ethnic violence in Manipur. Writing to the Secretary-General of Lok Sabha, Tagore wrote: “The House should also direct the Prime Minister to reply for his deep silence on the matter and to explain what kind of actions have been taken by him.” Meanwhile, Eden wrote: “The government must uphold its constitutional commitment to protect religious minorities and Scheduled Tribes”.
On Thursday, the first day of the Monsoon Session, the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were adjourned amid uproar by the Opposition parties seeking a discussion on the deteriorating state of affairs in Manipur.
A protest in Pune on Monday over the violence and deaths in Manipur. (Express photo by Arul Horizon)
The central government is a party in over 6.36 lakh cases pending across courts, with the Finance Ministry alone involved in over 1.79 lakh litigations, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday.
Responding to a question on pending court cases that involve the government as a party, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said in a written response that the total number of such cases stood at 6,36,605.
The Finance Ministry is a party in over 1.79 lakh cases. The Defence Ministry is involved in over 87,000 cases, while the Education Ministry is a party in over 17,000 cases, which are pending, he said. Responding to a sub question on expenditure on litigation, the minister said while Rs 54.35 crore was spent in financial year 2022-23, Rs 48.37 crore was spent in 2021-22. (PTI)
A parliamentary panel on defence has recommended that the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023, be passed and enacted as a statute, without any amendments.
The 39th Report (Seventeenth Lok Sabha) on the bill was presented to Lok Sabha on Friday and also laid in Rajya Sabha. The Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023, was introduced in Lok Sabha on March 15 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Defence by the Speaker on April 24 for examination and report.
"In summation, the committee, while agreeing with the provisions of the bill, in no uncertain words recommend that the bill without any amendments be passed, enacted as a statute and the committee's observations/recommendation be considered," the panel said in its report. (PTI)
Amid slogans and ruckus by the Opposition parties demanding a discussion on the Manipur incident, the day two of the Monsoon Session of Parliament proceedings saw the Lok Sabha being adjourned barely a few minutes after a brief statement on the issue by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Notably, a recent viral video showed two women, one in her 20s and the other in her 40s, from the Kuki-Zomi community being paraded naked and sexually assaulted in Manipur, sparking nationwide anger and condemnation. The clip came in the backdrop of the continued violence in the state which has seen the displacement of several people from their houses and several deaths.
In his statement on Friday Singh said, “The situation in Manipur is very sensitive. Keeping this in mind, PM has himself said whatever happened in Manipur has put the whole country to shame. The Prime Minister also said that the strictest action should be taken…And we (too) want a discussion on the matter in the house.” Read More
The government aims to open 10,000 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) by March to improve the common man's access to generic medicines, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told the Lok Sabha on Friday, news agency PTI reported. Till June 30, 9,512 PMBJKs have been opened across the country.
The Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 prescribes that every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters, he said in a written response to a question in the House.
The Directorate General of Health Services has directed all Centre-run hospitals to prescribe generic medicines only. Similar instructions also have been issued to all CGHS doctors and wellness centres.
BJP Leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Modi Friday told news agency ANI that the Opposition does not want to hold a discussion on the current Manipur situation. '...When the Leader of the House Piyush Goyal gave his nod to discuss the Manipur issue, why are they (opposition) running away?' he asked.
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien has written to the Rajya Sabha Chairman demanding that his entire speech on July 20 in the House be put on record as he had "rightfully" questioned the government on the alarming situation in Manipur. Parts of the MP's speech in the House were expunged.
"Phrases from my point of order on 20 July 2023 were expunged by the exercise of the Presiding Officer's discretion. The Point of Order made by me on July 20, 2023, was an attempt as leader of one of the largest opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha, to duly and rightfully question the Prime Minister and the Government in power about the alarming and distressful law and order situation in the state of Manipur," O'Brien wrote.
"The Point of Order made by me and the questions asked therein were within the true essence of democracy and anything but 'Unparliamentary'. I had simply asked for the Prime Minister to speak up on Manipur in Parliament," he said. (PTI)
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2:30 pm on Friday, the second day of the ongoing Monsoon session of the Parliament.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned till July 24 (Monday), 11 am on Friday, the second day of the ongoing Monsoon session of the Parliament.
After the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha was also adjourned on the second day of the ongoing Monsoon session of the Parliament, amid ruckus over the Manipur law and order situation.
Amid the uproar in Lok Sabha over the Manipur situation, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "Manipur incident is definitely very serious and understanding the situation, PM himself has said that what happened in Manipur has put the entire nation to shame. PM has said that strictest action will be taken over the incident. We do want a discussion in Parliament over Manipur. I had said this in the All Party Meeting and I reiterate this in the Parliament that we want a discussion in the House over Manipur. But I see that there are a few political parties that unnecessarily want to create a situation here so that the discussion on Manipur can't take place. I am clearly levelling allegations that this Opposition is not serious over Manipur as they should have been..."
The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 pm on Friday, the second day of the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, minutes after proceedings began. There was ruckus in the House over the law and order situation in Manipur. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government was ready to discuss the Manipur issue.
Congress Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha on Friday, citing the need for an urgent discussion on the deteriorating law and order situation in Manipur.
In his letter to the Secretary-General of Lok Sabha, Tagore wrote: “The House should also direct the Prime Minister to reply for his deep silence on the matter and to explain what kind of actions have been taken by him.”
Congress Lok Sabha MP Hibi Eden moved an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha on Friday, citing the need for an urgent discussion on the deteriorating law and order situation in Manipur.
In his letter to the Secretary-General of Lok Sabha, Eden wrote: “The government must uphold its constitutional commitment to protect religious minorities and Scheduled Tribes”.
The Opposition parties have submitted a notice to discuss the Manipur issue under Rule 193 in the Lok Sabha. Similarly, in the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition has submitted a notice under Rule 176 and Rule 267 to discuss the matter. The government has agreed to discuss the matter in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
When the Upper House of Parliament, which was adjourned in the morning session, resumed, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar asked for listed papers to be laid. Opposition members started raising slogans when Union Minister Anurag Thakur moved to introduce the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Leader of Opposition in the House Mallikarjun Kharge said he has been demanding a discussion on the Manipur issue since morning but has not been allowed one. Dhankhar asked Opposition members to maintain decorum, but continuous sloganeering, forced him to adjourn the House for the day.
The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were adjourned for the day amid chants of ‘Manipur, Manipur’. Both the Houses will reconvene at 11 am tomorrow.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge rose to say that ‘Manipur is burning’, and urged PM Modi to address the House.
The Upper House, earlier, saw uproar over suspension notices served under rule 267 for a discussion on the crisis in the state.
The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha resumed proceedings after both houses were adjourned till 2 pm. The Rajya Sabha saw uproar over suspension notices served under rule 267 for a discussion on Manipur. Earlier, Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned as a mark of respect to members who passed away recently.
During a joint opposition press conference, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said, "26 political parties in INDIA demanded suspension of all business today and discussion on Manipur issue. PM Modi should make a statement and on the basis of his statement, discussion should be done in both the Houses but our demand was ignored. We will keep raising this issue." (ANI)
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, "When the Session begins, as per tradition, PM asks all the leaders about their well-being. So, he met Madam (Sonia Gandhi) too. She told the PM that we want a discussion on Manipur inside the House. I think PM had not anticipated such a question from her. So, he was taken aback and said, "Alright, I will see." She insisted that the discussion be done. In a way, the Session began today with a demand by Madam herself, on behalf of Opposition."
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "Deeply concerned about the fact that the PM was silent for so long. None of us could understand it. We are very glad that he broke his silence, now we would like him to approach the issue in Parliament to discuss it...We want to discuss it when he speaks inside the Parliament. He has spoken outside the Parliament, to the media. I am very glad, he has at least raised his voice. Now, let him bring the voice to the Parliament itself."
Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Piyush Goyal says, "After seeing the Opposition's attitude it becomes clear that they have made up their mind to not let the Parliament function... Even when government made it clear that we are ready to discuss the Manipur incidents, Congress and other Opposition disrupted the proceedings of the House and did not let discussions take place as per the rules. This makes it clear that they absolutely do not want the Parliament to function." (ANI)
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm after it saw uproar on suspension notices issued under rule 267, for a discussion on Manipur. The House saw impassioned interventions from TMC MP Derek O Brien, who objected to a Short Duration Discussion on the crisis.
Earlier, both the houses were adjourned moments after proceedings began as a mark of respect to members who passed away recently. The Upper House was adjourned till noon, while the Lower House was adjourned till 2 pm.
BJP MPs from West Bengal, including party's State chief Sukanta Majumdar, protest against the State Government over violence during the Panchayat election.
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson and MP Sonia Gandhi arrives at the Parliament.
Rajya Sabha reconvenes at 12 pm, after both the houses were adjourned moments after proceedings began.
Leaders of several opposition parties met at the chamber of Mallikarjun Kharge in the Parliament complex to chalk out their joint strategy for the Monsoon Session which is set to begin on Thursday. At the meeting, the leaders decided to raise the Manipur violence issue and demand a discussion on the situation in the northeastern state.
This was the first meeting of the opposition parties following the formation of their alliance 'INDIA'. (PTI)
On the first day of the Monsoon Session on Thursday, Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm after paying tributes to two sitting members and 11 former MPs, including ex-chief minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal.
Immediately after the House met, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla paid tributes to sitting MPs Rattan Lal Kataria and Balubhau alias Suresh Narayan Dhanorkar.
He also said that 11 former members passed away in the last few months and read out their names.
Those who died include Badal, who was a member of the Sixth Lok Sabha, Ranjit Singh, Sujan Singh Bundela, Sandipan Thorat, Viswanadham Kanithi, Atiq Ahmad, Trilochan Kanungo, Ilyas Azmi, Anadi Charan Das, Nihal Singh and Raj Karan Singh.
Birla also paid tributes to all past members and adjourned the House till 2 pm. (PTI)
A day after a video of women being paraded naked by a mob of men in Manipur surfaced online, Chief Minister Biren Singh announced that the first arrest has been made. The Manipur Chief Minister assured strict action against the perpetrators, adding that the possibility of capital punishment would be considered.
“A thorough investigation is currently underway and we will ensure strict action is taken against all the perpetrators, including considering the possibility of capital punishment,” Chief Minister Biren Singh wrote on Twitter on Thursday.
Moments after proceedings began, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned as a mark of respect to members who passed away recently. The Upper House was adjourned till noon, while the Lower House was adjourned till 2 pm.
“The Parliament must stop all work and discuss Manipur on priority,” says Congress leader Manish Tewari.
? "Today when I have come among you, standing near this temple of democracy, my heart is filled with pain and anger. The incident that has come to light in Manipur is a shameful incident for any civilized society."
? “What has happened to daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven, guilty will not be spared."
?"I urge all the Chief Ministers to further strengthen the law and order in their states."
? "Take the harshest steps especially to protect our mothers and sisters."
? "Be it Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Manipur or any part of the country, maintaining law and order and respecting women should be put above any political debate."
Prime Minster Narendra Modi addressed the media at the start of the Monsoon Session on Thursday, and made strong remarks on the incident in Manipur, saying that it “shames humanity”. The Session, which ends on August 11, after 17 sittings – is set to begin today. The PM urged all state governments to ensure law and order.
"There will be a discussion (on Manipur) and someone (from the government) will reply," says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, as all corners of Opposition seek a discussion on the crisis.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi says, "The visuals from Manipur that we saw yesterday have left us shocked. I think, first of all, the PM should come to the House and make a statement on Manipur and appeal for peace. PM Modi should apologise to the people of Manipur today for his failures and that of his government...Perhaps then will the people of the state have some relief." (ANI)
"I've given a notice under Rule 267 over this issue (of Manipur violence). The Chairman also must have seen the visuals, he also must have seen Manipur burning over the last 2.5 months. If the issue is not discussed in the Parliament, then what's the use of having a Parliament," says RJD MP Manoj Jha. (PTI)
Amid reports of another horrific incident in Manipur, of two women from the Kuki-Zomi community being paraded naked by a mob of men, MPs from several Opposition parties moved notices seeking a discussion on the unabating tensions in the state.
Who all have moves notices seeking a discussion on the Manipur crisis in the Parliament?
The Monsoon Session – which ends on August 11, after 17 sittings – is set to begin today. After an all-party meeting on Wednesday, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had asserted that Opposition’s demand for a discussion on the crisis in Manipur during the session is “non-negotiable”.
Senior government ministers and Opposition leaders sat across the discussion table twice on Wednesday — first at the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and then at an all-party meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by Union Minister and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.
According to sources, when the Manipur issue was raised at the all-party meeting, Singh said the government was also concerned about the situation, and it was a serious issue that should be discussed in Parliament. The Delhi ordinance was raised by AAP’s Sanjay Singh, while the DMK drew attention to the Governor’s move to dismiss a minister of an elected government.