Parliament Monsoon Session Highlights: Bill to replace Delhi Services Ordinance tabled in Lok Sabha; waiting since 11 days to discuss Manipur, says Kharge

The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha for consideration and passage. It amends the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to simplify compliance requirements for domestic companies.

The Bill removes research and bio-survey activities from the purview of benefit sharing requirements. Other provisions of the Bill include benefit sharing will be based on terms agreed between the user and the local management committee represented by the National Authority, and decriminalising all offences under the Act.

The Rajya Sabha passed the Mediation Bill to promote and facilitate mediation, especially institutional mediation, for the resolution of disputes, commercial or otherwise, enforce mediated settlement agreements, provide for a body for the registration of mediators, to encourage community mediation.

It also seeks to make online mediation as an acceptable and cost-effective process.

A parliamentary panel has called for immediate compensation to cyber fraud victims by financial institutions, saying this will go a long way in demonstrating steadfast commitment to consumer protection and will push these firm to bolster their security measures.

The committee strongly believes that there should be an "automatic compensation system as devised by the RBI and it should be the financial institution's sole responsibility to immediately compensate the hapless customer, pending further investigation and final traceability of funds", the Standing Committee on Finance headed by BJP MP Jayant Sinha has recommended in its report. The report was tabled in Lok Sabha last week.

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which was tabled in Lok Sabha, to replace an ordinance issued for transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government, will have few different provisions from that of the ordinance.

• In the bill, there is no mention about a provision incorporated in the ordinance that restricted the state assembly from enacting any law on 'services'.
• The bill will give the central government primacy over the Delhi government on appointment of officers belonging to the all India services and DANICS. But it dropped the provision, mentioned in the ordinance, under which the state assembly had no role in enacting any law on 'services'.
• The bill dropped the requirement mandated under the ordinance for Delhi government to furnish annual reports to the central government.
• It also dropped the provision mandating placing of "orders/directions of ministers pertaining to proposals or matters required to be referred to the central government before the LG and the chief minister of Delhi".
• The role of the Delhi government in the matter will stop at making the recommendation, with the bill empowering the LG with the power to turn down recommendations or seek modifications.
• According to the bill, all transfer and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government will be done by a three-member committee headed by the Delhi chief minister.

Through voice vote, the Rajya Sabha passed Multi-state Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill.

It then took up the Mediation Bill up for discussion and consideration, even as the Opposition benches remained empty.

Amid protest by the Opposition over the Manipur ethnic strife, the Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day and the House will reconvene at 11 am on Wednesday.

Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill amid protests by the Opposition demanding a discussion on the ethnic violence in Manipur.

Smoking scenes have become a trend in programmes on OTT platforms, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said in Parliament and called for immediate action to curb the propagation of tobacco on online curated content.

Taking part in a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the Cinematograph Amendment Bill, he said actors, directors, scriptwriters and the audience do not want such scenes. "After movies, OTT platforms have become quite popular these days. Excellent work happening on these platforms. However, it has become a trend to show scenes with cigarettes and tobacco consumption," the BJP MP said.

The Cinematograph Amendment Bill, 2023, aimed at curbing film piracy was passed in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The bill was already passed in the Rajya Sabha. (PTI)

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge held a press conference evenas the Parliament proceedings were underway, where he said the government is not letting the Opposition speak in the Houses.

Here is what he said:

#WATCH | LoP in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge says, 'We are doing this press conference because the govt is not letting us speak in the Parliament. PM is discussing other issues but he is not replying to us. PM Modi is not willing to give a statement on the Manipur issue, he is… pic.twitter.com/06IZE6rZci

— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023

As the Bill to replace Delhi Services Ordinance was tabled in Lok Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah said the Constitution allows Parliament to make laws for Delhi. He added that remarks made against it are political with no basis.

Shah's statement comes after the AAP termed the Bill the most "undemocratic" piece of paper ever tabled in Parliament and asserted that it will replace democracy with "babucracy".

The legislation, which has brought the Delhi government and the Centre at loggerheads, empowers the Delhi Lt Governor to have the final say in recommendations regarding the transfers and postings of Delhi government officials. It received Cabinet nod on July 25.

After Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar ignored repeated demands for PM Modi's statement on the Manipur crisis in Parliament, the Opposition staged a walkout. 

Ahead of the introduction of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that the bill is being opposed as it is of "profound Constitutional consequence" for the country. 

VIDEO | "As far as we are concerned, the introduction of the Delhi bill will certainly have to be opposed because it is of profound Constitutional consequence for our country. It tampers with the federal system of our country," says Congress leader @ShashiTharoor on Delhi… pic.twitter.com/jpMvoaC3x8

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 1, 2023

Amid the ongoing Question Hour, chaos prevailed in the Rajya Sabha as Opposition leaders loudly chanted 'Manipur, Manipur'.

The Rajya Sabha reconvened at noon amid loud chanting from the the Opposition.

The Manipur issue continued to rock Parliament, with Lok Sabha could not function on Tuesday and was adjourned till 2 pm amid uproar by the Opposition members, who were demanding a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation of the violence hit state.

Soon after the House assembled at 11 am, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla tried to take up Question Hour. However, the opposition members began raising slogans over the Manipur issue, demanding a statement from the PM.

The House could function for barely 16 minutes. Later, Birla adjourned the House till 2pm.

The Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm today.

Rajya Sabha has been adjourned to meet at 12 noon today.

With Rajya Sabha in an uproar, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar declines over 60 notices under rule 267 by the Opposition, and accepted notices for a short duration discussion on the Manipur crisis. 

The Opposition protests on the Manipur crisis in backdrop of Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar addressing the House on continuous disruption in the past 8 days.

The Opposition is sloganeering against the crisis in Manipur amid Question Hour in Lok Sabha.

Proceedings in the Lok Sabha kicked off with the Question Hour.

Proceedings in Rajya Sabha begin.

On the Govt of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Bill to be introduced in Lok Sabha today, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi says, "...We will all oppose this as today it is happening in Delhi, tomorrow it can happen in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana or Odisha. This is unconstitutional, immoral, undemocratic ordinance and should be opposed by all." (ANI)

#WATCH | Meeting of like-minded Opposition floor leaders underway at the Rajya Sabha LoP chamber in Parliament to discuss the strategy for the floor of the House. pic.twitter.com/tvScC6fGuz

— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023

"This ordinance is kind of an experiment by them (government) to check whether such a thing can be done in other states as well or not. It will be very bad for country's cooperative federalism if they succeed in their experiment," says RJD leader Manoj Kumar Jha on Delhi services bill which is listed to be tabled in Lok Sabha today.

"They have majority in Lok Sabha and are using that like a bulldozer to pass the legislations without the opposition's participation. They don't believe in democracy as the House is not in order," says Congress leader K Suresh on government passing the bills after admission of no-trust motion in Lok Sabha.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore has moved an adjournment notice over RPF shooting incident in Lok Sabha, calling it a 'hate crime'.

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday listed six Bills in its Legislative Business:

- Government of NCT Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023

- Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023

- Offshore Areas Mineral Amendment Bill, 2023

- The Constituition (Scheduled Castes) Order Amendment Bill, 2023

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday listed six Bills in its Legislative Business:

- The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023

- The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023

- Mediation Bill, 2021

- Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023

- Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2023

- Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023

As the Parliament convenes for the tenth day of the Monsoon Session, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to introduce The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in Rajya Sabha which is meant to replace the contentious Ordinance on the control of services in the national Capital.

With the Monsoon Session of Parliament disrupted now for a prolonged period over Manipur, differences have started cropping up in the Opposition camp over their collective strategy.

A section of MPs within the Congress and some other parties feel their stalling both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha is proving to be counterproductive, with the Government managing to weave a narrative around the Opposition stalling any discussion on the Manipur situation, while pushing through crucial Bills unopposed.

Sources said many Opposition MPs now believe they should try and find a middle ground to allow a discussion to take place, which would give the parties an opportunity to corner the Government, especially now that the visit by the Opposition delegation to the strife-torn state has armed them with enough ammunition to argue that both the state and central governments have failed to tackle the situation.

Manoj C G writes.

The Rajya Sabha resumed at 3:30 pm on Monday amid sloganeering by Opposition, and was soon adjourned for the day.

The session will now resume at 11 am on August 1 (Tuesday).

The Lok Sabha has been adjourned for the day, and will now resume at 11 am on Tuesday.

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 3:30 pm today.

Opposition stages protest in Rajya Sabha, shout slogans of 'Pradhan Mantri sadan me aao' (PM come to the Parliament).

Proceedings in the Rajya Sabha begin.

Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur moves the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha for its consideration and passage further to amend the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The Bill was earlier passed by the Rajya Sabha.

The Rajya Sabha amendments of the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022 has been taken up for in the Lok Sabha.

As Rajya Sabha took up short duration discussion on Manipur amid staunch objection by the Opposition, the Upper House was adjourned for a second time till 2:30 pm today. 

The proceedings in the Rajya Sabha began amid uproar from the Opposition.

On Delhi Ordinance Bill, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, says "We want to discuss the issues of Delhi in Parliament, but they are not letting it function. The Ordinance Bill may be presented today, tomorrow or maybe later, and will be passed in both Houses." (ANI)

Rajya Sabha adjourned again, to meet at 2 pm today.

TMC MP Derek O'Brien says, "We want a detailed discussion on the Manipur issue. Our delegations have gone to Manipur. It is a very serious issue, why can't the Prime Minister come? We are all ready to discuss Manipur." (ANI)

The Opposition is protesting over the Manipur risis in backdrop of Question Hour in Rajya Sabha. Slogans of 'we want justice' heard in the House.

Rajya Sabha reconvenes after adjournment.

The government is likely to bring the ordinance on contentious National Capital Territory (NCT) Amendment in the Lok Sabha today. While the Bill has not been listed under legislative business of the day, sources told The Indian Express that the Bill will be tabled, but discussion is not on the agenda today.

The Rajya Sabha has been witnessing noisy scenes after the Opposition demanded that all other business be suspended for the day to take up the Manipur issue, while the government had agreed for a “Short Duration Discussion”.

The Opposition’s demand had come under Rule 267, which has emerged as a thorny issue in Parliament sessions recently. No notice given by the Opposition under Rule 267 has been accepted in recent times. In the winter session of Parliament, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar had said he would invoke Rule 267 “on merit”.

According to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), under Rule 267, “Any member, may, with the consent of the Chairman, move that any rule may be suspended in its application to a motion related to the business listed before the Council of that day and if the motion is carried, the rule in question shall be suspended for the time being.”

Amid uproar, the Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 12 pm.

The Opposition continues to push for a discussion on the crisis under rule 267.

Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm.

Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Piyush Goyal says "We want discussions on Manipur to take place in Parliament today at 2 pm. They (Opposition) are trying to misuse the liberty given to the members. The govt is ready to discuss Manipur, but they (Opposition) have already spoilt 9 important days of the House."

The Opposition MPs begin protest moments after the session begins in Rajya Sabha.

The Opposition MPs begin protest moments after the session begins in Lok Sabha.

The Lok Sabha is in session.

"Government is insulting Parliament by not starting discussion on 'no confidence motion", says Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

The Delhi ordinance was promulgated by the Centre on May 19, a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi, excluding police, public order and land, to the elected government headed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The ordinance sought to overturn the SC order that had given executive powers to the Delhi government in service matters, including the transfer and posting of officers. The proposed Bill is expected to cement the power of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to differ from the Delhi government’s decision on service matters.

The ordinance set up a National Capital Civil Service Authority for the transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Civil) Services (DANICS) cadre. It has also given the L-G a final say in any decision made by the Authority.

Kejriwal has said in the past that the ordinance puts bureaucrats above the elected government in the capital, giving them the power to question and flag decisions made by ministers.

The government will bring in the bill to replace the ordinance on contentious National Capital Territory (NCT) Amendment in the Lok Sabha today.

MPs of opposition alliance INDIA who had gone to Manipur to assess the situation in the strife-torn state on Monday briefed leaders of the grouping here.

They met at the Parliament House and highlighted the ground realities before the alliance members.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who was part of the delegation, described the situation in Manipur as "grave". "If any of the ruling party MPs go there and see the situation for themselves, they will not make casual statements," he said.

A delegation of 21 opposition MPs went to Manipur over the weekend, visiting the relief camps and meeting the people affected by the violence.

Sonia Gandhi, the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge were present during the meeting, along with the leaders of various INDIA bloc parties. (PTI)

On Delhi Ordinance Bill, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, says "Only those mentioned in the List of Businesses today, will be introduced in Parliament. When Ordinance Bill will be there in the list, we will inform the same." (ANI)