Congress leaders raise victory slogans at the Parliament premises on Friday as the Supreme Court stayed Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case. (Photo: Congress)Parliament Monsoon Session Live Updates (August 4): Congress MPs were seen in a jubilant mood in Parliament today after the Supreme Court stayed the conviction of Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury met the Speaker of the House, seeking restoration of Rahul’s Member of Parliament status.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha today has approved a Bill which seeks to empower the commander-in-chief and the officer-in-command of inter-services organisations with disciplinary and administrative powers over personnel from other forces serving in such establishments.
Earlier in the day, Union Minister Piyush Goyal demanded a discussion on atrocities against women in Rajasthan under Rule 176 in Rajya Sabha, which was supported by MPs on the Treasury bench. Following ruckus by both Opposition MPs and the Treasury bench, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the House.
The Lok Sabha today has approved a Bill which seeks to empower the commander-in-chief and the officer-in-command of inter-services organisations with disciplinary and administrative powers over personnel from other forces serving in such establishments. Moving the Bill for consideration and passage, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill is part of a series of steps being taken by the government to strengthen the armed forces.
Amid slogan shouting by opposition members, who were also displaying placards, Singh took the permission of the Chair to speak from one of the seats in the back benches. A parliamentary panel had recently recommended that the Bill be passed without any amendments.
Currently, the commander-in-chief or the officer-in-command of inter-services organisations is not empowered to exercise disciplinary or administrative powers over personnel belonging to other services. (PTI)
With the Supreme Court staying Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Friday said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla should immediately restore Gandhi's membership of the Lower House of Parliament.
"The Supreme Court's order today is a vindication of the argument that we have consistently pressed before every court — from the trial court to the Supreme Court. The Hon'ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha should immediately restore Mr Rahul Gandhi's membership of the Lok Sabha," Chidambaram said in a tweet. "Please remember that we have not been able to find a case where the court imposed the maximum punishment of two years for 'slander' in the last 162 years," he said. "We maintain that the case was manufactured with the sole intention of keeping Mr Rahul Gandhi from Parliament," he added.
As the Congress party broke out in celebration after the Supreme Court stayed the conviction of Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case against him, paving the way to restoring his Member of Parliament status, the senior leader said that his duty of protecting the idea of India remains the same. Taking to X, Rahul Gandhi wrote: “Come what may, my duty remains the same. Protect the idea of India.” Read More
The Supreme Court on Friday (August 4) stayed Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in a defamation case by a Gujarat court in which he has been sentenced to two years in prison. A three-judge Bench headed by Justice B R Gavai said that the trial court judge did not justify why Rahul should have been awarded the maximum sentence of two years which attracted his disqualification as an MP. Read More
Reacting to the Supreme Court’s judgment staying the conviction of Rahul Gandhi, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha said at Parliament today: “There were attempts to keep Rahul Gandhi away from the Parliament. It would have been repeated with other leaders in several states if this would have been successful.”
As the Supreme Court Friday stayed the conviction of Rahul Gandhi in a 2019 defamation case, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and demanded that the membership of the senior Congress leader be restored. “I met the Speaker and urged him to restore the membership of Rahul Gandhi since the Supreme Court had stayed his conviction. I told him that we would like Gandhi to speak on the no confidence motion next week,” Chowdhury told The Indian Express.
The Speaker, he said, told him that “kam se kam court se toh paper aane dijiye. Uske baad karavai karenge. We will sit on Monday and decide,” Chowdhury said.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12:50 pm.
During the session, protest slogans by Opposition were heard even as legislative business was being carried out.
Amid ruckus by both Opposition MPs and Treasury bench, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the House till 11 am on Monday (August 7).
Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 12 noon on Friday, as Opposition parties continued their demand for a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur situation. This comes after a truce on Thursday, which saw the Opposition taking part in the proceedings of both House. Union minister Piyush Goyal, meanwhile, demanded a discussion on atrocities against women in Rajasthan under Rule 176 in Rajya Sabha, which was supported by MPs on the Treasury bench.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a three-line whip to its Lok Sabha MPs from August 7 to 11, asking them to be present in the House and support Government's stand and bills.
As the Lok Sabha resumed proceedings at 11 am today, there was commotion amidst the normal business being carried out by the House.
Opposition MPs raised slogans and waved placards, even as Question Hour was going on. The logjam over the Manipur issue continues.
Parliamentary privileges are certain rights and immunities enjoyed by members of Parliament, individually and collectively, so that they can “effectively discharge their functions”. When any of these rights and immunities are disregarded, the offence is called a breach of privilege and is punishable under law of Parliament.
A notice is moved in the form of a motion by any member of either House against those being held guilty of breach of privilege. Each House also claims the right to punish as contempt actions which, while not breach of any specific privilege, are offences against its authority and dignity.
Responding to the privilege notice moved against him by BJP leaders, AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha said, "Privilege notice was brought against many big leaders in the past, I feel proud that I have now joined the list of such leaders."
He added that he will respond to the notice as per law.
Opposition's INDIA-bloc parties held a meeting on Friday morning, at Congress president and Rajya Sabha MP Mallikarjun Kharge's chambers.
"INDIA demands that the Prime Minister should come to the House and discuss Manipur. Fulfill your responsibility," the Congress official handle tweeted.
Members belonging to the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) protested in front of the Gandhi statue at the Parliament premises over the ongoing violence in Manipur. They also demanded the withdrawal of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which was passed in Lok Sabha by voice vote yesterday.
Soon after the Lok Sabha passed the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 on Thursday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hit out at the Central government, saying that it has stabbed the people of Delhi and that he will not believe anything of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from now onwards.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Kejriwal wrote, "Every time BJP had promised to give full statehood to Delhi. In 2014, Modi himself said tha on becoming the Prime Minister, he would give full statehood to Delhi. But today these people stabbed the people of Delhi in the back. Don't believe anything of Modiji from now on."
The Lok Sabha on Thursday suspended newly-elected Aam Aadmi Party member Sushil Kumar Rinku for the remaining part of the Monsoon session, owing to his unruly behaviour in the House.
The suspension comes days after another AAP MP Sanjay Singh was suspended from Rajya Sabha for inappropriate behaviour, amid face-off between Centre and the Opposition over Manipur violence issue.
The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, by voice vote, following a discussion in the presence of Opposition party members.
While debating on the Bill which would replace the Delhi services ordinance, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Centre has the power to make laws on Union Territories and hence, it enjoys rights to make rules as well.
The House was adjourned for the day following the passage of the Bill. It will now resume at 11 am on Thursday.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, presenting his remarks on the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill on Thursday, said that after this Bill is passed, the Opposition alliance will collapse.
Further, responding to Opposition’s demands for a discussion on Manipur violence issue, Shah said, “the government will provide all answers, I will answer on the issue in the House.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while presenting his concluding remarks on the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, on Thursday, said, "I am happy that from Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to Sushil Rinku, about 26 elected representatives participated in the discussion...The Parliament has so far passed nine Bills in the session. Every Bill was very important. What happened today?... If you care about democracy, then every other Bill is important... But no one came. They don't care about democracy, the country, or the public. They are here to save the 'gathbandhan' (Opposition alliance)"
"India is watching... India is watching your dual-character. The people's Bills are not important for you... You should be saying that we are here because we are worried Kejriwalji would leave our alliance."
All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi, hitting out at the Centre for bringing in the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, called it 'horrible' and 'absurd'.
"It violates the principle of federalism... Nehru said the only final authority and paramount power that is recognized is the will of the people." "I oppose this unconstitutional Bill which violates federalism, which is part of the basic structure of the Constitution...," Owaisi added.
"Atal Bihari Vajpayee government has tabled a Bill in this House for complete statehood.. what is your policy? Why is the government demeaning the House," Owaisi questioned the Centre.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, opposing the "very introduction" of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, said, "Such an improper introduction of a substantive policy change while a no-confidence motion is pending is against democratic morality, to use a word much favoured by the Treasury benches."
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule, expressing her opposition to the Centre's National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, on Thursday alleging that "the BJP is intimidating people", however, this country "has always fought against intimidacy."
"The BJP confidently says that the country gave a mandate to their government in 2019, congratulations, you won, we lost. However, why are there different rules for Kejriwal government and the BJP? When Kejriwal government gets a mandate, then that is wrong, and when you get a mandate, then you call it popularity. Why? It is really unfair," Sule asserted in the Lok Sabha, standing in support of the AAP-led government in Delhi.
The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Offshore Areas Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023, amid a walkout by Opposition members over the situation in violence-hit Manipur, news agency PTI reported.
The Bill which seeks to provide a fixed 50-year production lease for offshore minerals was moved by Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi in the Upper House for consideration. Under this legislation, the government aims to introduce auctions as the route to award production leases for offshore minerals, according to a report by news agency PTI.
The Bill to amend the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002 was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, according to the report. It aims at introducing a 4-year timeline for commencement of production and dispatch after execution of composite licence or production lease, and a timeline of two years (extendable by one year) for re-commencement of production and dispatch after discontinuation, the PTI report said.
Further, according to the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill, it proposes to remove the provision for renewal of production lease and provide a fixed period of 50 years for production lease similar to the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
According to the report, the Bill also provides a grant of production lease to the private sector only through auction through a competitive bidding process.
It will enable the central government to frame rules for the conservation and systematic development of minerals in offshore areas and for the protection of the environment by preventing or controlling any pollution which may be caused by exploration or production operations.(PTI)
While the Lok Sabha took up a discussion on the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill on Thursday, Leader of Opposition in the House and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury jabbed Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement, saying “if you had actually taken the help of Nehru, the country would not have witnessed Manipur and Haryana.”
Chowdhury was referring to the ethnic clashes that broke out in Manipur, leaving over 140 dead, and the communal clashes in Haryana’s Nuh, which has left six people dead and about 50 injured.
Shah, while discussing the Delhi Ordinance Bill, had said that Parliament has the right to make laws regarding the National Capital Territory of Delhi. After Independence, even leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Dr Ambedkar opposed full statehood for Delhi, he added.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah hit out at the Opposition, saying, "In the year 2015, a party came to power in Delhi whose only motive was to fight, not serve...The problem is not getting right to do transfer postings, but getting control of the vigilance department to hide their corruption like building their bungalows."
"We are seeing Amit Shah praising Nehru and Congress. I am surprised. Is it day or night? I want to put 'ghee, shakkar' in his mouth, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said.
Amit Shah retorted, "I haven't praised Nehru, just quoted what he has said."
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Parliament has the right to make laws regarding the National Capital Territory of Delhi. After Independence, even leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Dr Ambedkar opposed full statehood for Delhi, he added.
"This ordinance refers to the order of the Supreme Court which says that the Parliament has the right to make laws on any issue related to the National Capital Territory of Delhi," Union Home Minister Amit Shah said.
The Lok Sabha took up a discussion on the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill on Thursday. Speaker Om Birla was back in the chair for the discussion, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded in the House.
Dr Bharti Pawar introduced the Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha, amid continued protests from the Opposition over the introduction of the data protection Bill.
As proceedings resumed in Lok Sabha at 2 pm, the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill was introduced in the House. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that the the government should consider wider deliberations on the Bill, and the time was not right for the introduction of the Bill. MP Shashi Tharoor pointed out that the Bill was not sent to the Standing Committee. Opposition has raised concerns that the Bill will “trample upon the Right to Information Act and the right to privacy.”
As proceedings began in Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari raised a point of order on the Manipur issue.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar responded that he has held various discussions in chambers, but the situation has become such, that we are out to win brownie points. The House couldn't have a discussion despite being listed.
Following this, Oppposition members started shouting "Pradhan Mantri sadan mei aao (Prime Minister come to Parliament)".
Proceedings in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha resumed at 2 pm.
With the Opposition and the government agreeing for a discussion on Manipur in Rajya Sabha Thursday, sources told The Indian Express that the Opposition will settle for a comprehensive discussion under any rule provided that enough time is allocated to all the parties to put across their points of view.
The Opposition, however, will continue to insist that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in the House on the situation in Manipur. A meeting is currently underway between floor leaders of parties to break the logjam in Parliament.
Following a discussion in the House over various matters, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm.
Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has convened a meeting of party floor leaders at 1 pm to set a time for a discussion on Manipur.
Former environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Thursday said questions should be asked of the government and parties that "rubber-stamped" the "insidious" Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, asserting that securing the rights of forest dwellers will be a long struggle.
Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, after a brief debate, amid protests by opposition members and a walkout by them over the Manipur issue.
The bill seeks to exempt land within 100 kilometres of the country's borders from the purview of conservation laws and permit setting up of zoos, safaris and eco-tourism facilities in forest areas.
In a tweet, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh noted that "many environmentalists – who by no means are bhakts – have criticised the Opposition for having boycotted the Rajya Sabha when the amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, which many have been agitating against, were being discussed yesterday".
"Let me clarify: The decision to boycott was a collective decision of 26 INDIA parties because our legitimate demand for a statement by PM on Manipur followed by a discussion is being refused daily and the Leader of Opposition is simply not allowed to speak," he said.
"The Bill had not been referred to the Standing Committee I chair. It was sent to a special joint committee which simply rubber-stamped the Bill. All this was a complete mockery of the legislative process," he alleged.
Ramesh said he has spoken repeatedly against the amendments and will continue to do so.
"But it should not be forgotten that the battles we are fighting are across a very wide political canvas," the Congress leader added.
"At times, a legitimate and principled stand on a larger issue can have consequences on a specific issue," Ramesh argued. (PTI)
LoP Mallikarjun Kharge suggested that the Rajya Sabha be adjourned till 1 pm, when RS Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar will invite floor leaders to his chambers.
Amid protests from the Treasury Bench, Kharge added, "Sir, you don't agree to such small requests. We asked for Prime Minister to come, you didn't agree to that also. You are defending the PM so much... I don't understand."
Dhankhar said, "Our Prime Minister is not to be defended by me. He has come to be recognised on global platforms -- Senate and Congress in the US... Every Indian should be proud of him... why are you shirking from the hard reality, India is rising as never before. The rise is unstoppable... everyone has contributed to it. I am not required to defend anyone. After three decades of coalition government under the PM, I am not required to defend anyone. I am required to defend Constitution, your rights."
There was another round of friendly fire between Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday, with the former inviting inputs of the Congress leader over the House's decision to hold debate on Manipur.
Dhankhar said, "I will look at you... one is always drawn to the power center." To this, Kharge replied, "Everytime you make me stand up, in 2 seconds you ask me to sit down... I don't know why this keeps happening to me."
Kharge added, "I only have one revision, both notices under rules 267 and 176 were given on same day. If 267 is submitted, then all business should be suspended and importance should be given to 267. We requested to you yesterday, but maybe you were angry..."
Dhankhar replied, "Sir, I am a married man for more than 45 years, I never show anger. Mr. Chidambaram, as a senior advocate will know we have no right to show our anger at least to an authority. you're an authority sir... please modify this."
"You don't show anger but you feel angry from inside," Kharge quipped, evoking laughter in the House.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar says he will invite floor leaders to his chambers at 1 pm and accommodate a discussion on Manipur issues, irrespective of time and other constraints.
As proceedings began in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien insisted on a discussion on Manipur in the House, saying that the state needs “care” and “healing”. Leader of the House Piyush Goyal responded that government will be very happy (to have the discussion), and stated that he will “take the convenience of the Home Minister on when he will be able to discuss in the House”. He added, “past can be behind us, let us look forward only.”
Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm, shortly after proceedings began on Thrusday.
Members were seen carrying placards saying 'INDIA for Manipur' in front of the Chair. MPs also chanted slogans in the House.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Thursday stated that the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government should be discussed first in Parliament, but the Centre has decided to bring in the Bill on Delhi services as a means of dividing the Opposition. He added, that we (Congress) has made its stance clear that they will oppose the Bill.
Several Bills are on the legislative business today.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expected to table the Bill to further amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, after he remained absent on Wednesday. The Bill makes amendments to the law on control of services in Delhi, and has come under fire from the Opposition.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav is also expected to table the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill, which is India's attempt to frame a legislation around privacy.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will likely table The Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan likely to table The Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Wednesday, following the passage of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023.
The House will now resume at 11 am on Thursday.
The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, following a discussion in the absence of the Opposition, passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Wednesday moved the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 in the Rajya Sabha for discussion.
The Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which seeks to amend the Forest (Conservation) Act which was cleared by the Lok Sabha last week, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023, which seeks to allow the private sector to mine six out of twelve atomic minerals, including lithium, and deep-seated minerals such as gold and silver was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, amid a walkout by Opposition members demanding a discussion over the Manipur violence issue, news agency PTI reported.
Union Minister for Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi had moved the The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha when the House reassembled during the post-lunch period. Approved by Lok Sabha last month, the bill was passed by the Upper House of Parliament by voice vote.
Earlier, all 12 atomic minerals were reserved for mining and exploration by state-owned entities. The bill amended The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The atomic minerals which will be opened for private sector exploration are lithium (used for manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage devices), beryllium, niobium, titanium, tantalum and zirconium. The bill also empowers the central government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite licence for certain critical minerals, according to the PTI report.
Deep-seated minerals include gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, nickel, cobalt, platinum group of minerals and diamonds. They are difficult and expensive to explore and mine as compared to surficial or bulk minerals, the PTI report stated.
As many as 11 members, including Aditya Prasad (BJP), Baburam Nishad (BJP), Deepak Prakash (BJP), GK Vasan TMC (M), V Vijayasai Reddy (YSRCP), M Thambidurai (AIADMK) and Sasmit Patra (BJD), took part in the discussion and supported the bill. Joshi said the legislation is an important issue considering the way in which the world is changing.
According to PTI, he said it is estimated that 95 "most precious" minerals are found in India but the country is still importing these.
Joshi alleged, during the discussion, that policy paralysis, corruption and nepotism in the previous government are to be blamed for large-scale import of minerals such as coal despite the country having large reserves. (PTI)
The Bill to amend the Forest (Conservation) Act which was cleared by the Lok Sabha last week, was taken up for discussion on Wednesday in the Rajya Sabha.
The FC Act was legislated in 1980 to regulate the diversion of forests for construction and mining. After more than four decades, the government proposes to “broaden the horizons of the Act… to keep its provisions in tandem with the dynamic changes in the ecological, strategic and economic aspirations” of the country.
The number of requests for re-drafting the Bill in explicit and specific terms that adequately reflect the various assurances offered by the Environment Ministry show that the amendments are open to too many interpretations.
What is restricting its applicability? What are the States' objections? Jay Mazoomdar explains.
Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupendra Yadav, proposed a discussion on the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha.
The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023.
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The Bill seeks to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
Even as the Opposition continued to raise its demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address Parliament on the violence in Manipur, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar Wednesday told it he could not and would not direct Modi to be in the House as it was the prime minister’s prerogative, like any other MP’s, to come to the House.
The Opposition later staged a walkout. The chairman said he had received 58 notices under Rule 267, which allows for discussion on an issue with the consent of the chair, on the violence and unrest in Manipur.
He said these notices were not accepted as he had already accepted a short-duration discussion on the issue under Rule 167 on July 20. He said the impression that the discussion under Rule 167 would be limited to two-and-a-half hours was wrong and that he had said there would be no restrictions. Read more.
Soon after the Lok Sabha reconvened, several ruling party MPs began sloganeering anss some proceeded to storm the well of the House. After a few seconds Kalyan Banerjee persuaded them to go back to their seat. The LS was adjourned for the day.
Anguished over the continuous disruptions in the LS, Speaker Om Birla refused to chair the proceedings today, sources told The Indian Express. He would sit on the chair only if the House is in order.
Indian Railways is taking all measures to ensure the safety and security of passengers and has installed CCTV systems at 866 railway stations, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday.
The Railway Minister also informed Lok Sabha that special arrangements, including special Railway Protection Force (RPF) deployment, are in place at railway stations that are near border areas.
CCTV has become an intelligent unit and such systems are there in 866 railway stations. Their deployment has resulted in a positive impact in terms of rescuing children who are being trafficked, protecting women passengers and helping aged people, the minister said.
Responding to queries related to CCTV systems at railway stations, Vaishnaw said various initiatives have been taken and stressed that cyber security is important when it comes to Internet Protocol (IP)-based CCTV systems.It needs to be ensured that such systems are not compromised, he added. (PTI)