Monsoon session highlights: Oppn demands revocation of MPs’ suspension; Govt seeks guarantee of ‘no protest’ in Well

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday took up a bill to provide a statutory framework for the functioning of the National Anti-Doping Agency and the National Dope Testing Laboratory for consideration and passage.

The National Anti-Doping Bill, moved by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, seeks to strengthen measures to check drug abuse by sportspersons. The minister said the bill will give effect to a UN convention on anti-doping.

While moving the Bill for consideration and passage, Thakur recalled the achievements of Indian sportspersons in the recent past and expressed hope that Indians will win more medals in international tournaments in future. (PTI)

The Union government Wednesday said it will consider revoking the suspension of four Congress Lok Sabha MPs if the Opposition “guarantees” that their members will not enter the well of the House and show placards.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the government was also ready to hold a debate on price rise as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had returned to work after recovering from Covid-19.

“The government has been ready for a discussion from day one. We are ready today as well. If they (Opposition) are ready, so are we. But will they guarantee that they will not troop into the well, holding up placards? Placards are even put up on the face of the Speaker,” Joshi said in Lok Sabha. Read More

TMC MP Saugata Roy on Wednesday urged the government to immediately withdraw Agnipath scheme in the interest of the country, citing the protests by youths and security concerns expressed by experts.

Raising the issue in Lok Sabha during discussion on matters of urgent public importance under Rule 377, Roy said soldiers would be recruited for four years only under the Agnipath scheme with no retirement benefits like pension and medical insurance.

After four years, only 25 per cent of recruits would be absorbed as regulars for 15 years while the remaining 75 per cent will be relieved, he said. (PTI)

The AAP will continue to raise the 'fundamental issues' of the masses, including spurious liquor sale in Gujarat, both in Parliament and on the streets, said party MP Sanjay Singh after his suspension from the Rajya Sabha.

Taking to Twitter, Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, both of whom are from Gujarat, could have come and told the House 'how spurious liquor trade is going on in Gujarat.' 'I had raised the issue yesterday also. Today, I gave notice under Rule 267 and was repeatedly requesting the Chair and the government for an answer... But the government did not give any answer. I was suspended,' Singh added.

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday adopted a motion to suspend the Aam Aadmi Party member for the remaining part of the week for his 'unruly behaviour' in the House. This came a day after he tore some papers and threw them on the Chair during the Opposition's protest in the Upper House. The AAP has 10 members in the Rajya Sabha.

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— Sanjay Singh AAP (@SanjayAzadSln) July 27, 2022

Leaders of many opposition parties met Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday and demanded the suspension of 20 MPs be revoked, but Naidu made it clear that it can happen only after the MPs express regret over their "misconduct".

Sources said 10 leaders of opposition parties met Naidu in his Chamber and raised the issue and their demand for a discussion on price rise.

Stating that the number of suspended members was on the higher side, they suggested that the action may be revoked so as to have good attendance in the House. They also suggested that a specific date may be indicated on which the issue of price rise could be discussed. (PTI)

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday said the suspension of Opposition MPs can be revoked by the Chair if they apologise and assure they would not show placards in the House.

As many as 24 opposition MPs – 20 from the Rajya Sabha and four from the Lok Sabha – have been suspended for their unruly behaviour and creating ruckus in Parliament.

'We have been maintaining that the government is ready for discussion on price rise and today Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman resumed her office after recovering from Covid,' Joshi said. If the Opposition wants, 'we can start discussion from today', he further said. (PTI)

Congress MPs staging a protest at Vijay Chowk here over the alleged misuse of investigative agencies were detained by police on Wednesday, with the party calling it a "murder of democracy" and claiming that the government wants an "Opposition-mukt Bharat".

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and a host of party MPs sat on a protest and raised slogans against the "misuse" of agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the suspension of Opposition MPs from both houses of Parliament. They also raised the issues of price rise and imposition of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on certain essential daily-use items.

The MPs marched from the Parliament complex to the Vijay Chowk lawns, where they held a sit-in and raised slogans. (PTI)

Of over 22.05 crore applicants for central government jobs during 2014 and 2022, over 7.22 lakh were recommended by the recruiting agencies, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

As many as 7,22,311 candidates were recommended by recruiting agencies for appointment in different central government departments from 2014-15 to 2021-22, according to a written reply given by Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh.

Of these, 38,850 were recruited during 2021-22, 78,555 in 2020-21, 1,47,096 in 2019-20, 38,100 in 2018-19, 76,147 in 2017-18, 1,01,333 in 2016-17, 1,11,807 in 2015-16 and 1,30,423 during 2014-15, it said. (PTI)

As Opposition members continued sloganeering, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned within minutes of reconvening at 2 pm.

As per information provided by Jammu and Kashmir government, 15 persons who embarked on the Amarnath Yatra lost their lives due to flash floods but no person has been reported missing. Government agencies like NDRF, SDRF, Army, CAPFs and UT govt officials were deployed for search operations, rescue and relief of pilgrims, MoS Home Nityanand Rai said in a written reply.

"The Yatris were immediately evacuated to safer places/camps and provided accommodation and food while the injured yatris were moved to the nearest medical facilities, the reply pertaining to the recent flashflood in July stated.

The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has intimated that there were no significant protests against the report of the Delimitation Commission. However, various political parties have expressed different views on the report, MoS Home Nityanand Rai informed Rajya Sabha in a written reply

Delimitation Commission conducted delimitation exercise of Union territory of J&K based on the census data of the year 2011 and criteria prescribed under section 9(1)(a) of Delimitation Act, 2002 read with Section 60(2)(b) of J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, the reply stated.

MoS Home Nityanand Rai further said in the reply that the Commission has also considered the representations for geographical areas having inadequate communication and lack of public conveniences due to their excessive remoteness or inhospitable conditions on the international border.

As against the previous number of 37 and 46 Assembly seats for the Jammu region and Kashmir region respectively, the Delimitation Commission has notified 43 seats for the Jammu region and 47 seats for the Kashmir region, the reply stated.

An advisory specifically on the safety of journalists was issued to States/UTs on October 20, 2017 requesting them to strictly enforce the law to ensure the safety and security of media, MoS Home Nityanand Rai informed the Rajya Sabha.

The sanctioned strength and the number of vacancies in each of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFS) in the country is 10,05,779 and vacant post 84,405, MoS Home Nityanand Rai informed the Rajya Sabha.

The government has taken a decision to fill up existing vacancies in CAPFS by December 2023. It is stated that examination for filling up of 25,271 posts of Constable (General Duty) has already been conducted. Government has taken inter alia to fill up the vacancies expeditiously in CAPFS, the reply stated.

TMC MP Dola Sen, among the 20 Rajya Sabha MPs suspended for unruly behaviour in the House, said that they will hold a relay protest for 50 hours in the Parliament complex. While 19 Rajya Sabha MPs were suspended on Tuesday, AAP's Sanjay Singh was suspended today.

Four Lok Sabha MPs were suspended earlier this week.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh was suspended from Rajya Sabha for the remaining part of the current week for shouting slogans, tearing papers and throwing them toward the Chair on Tuesday.

The House was adjourned till 12.18 pm.

Delhi | Congress MPs protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the suspension of opposition MPs from Parliament pic.twitter.com/d2aZCnCIXJ

— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2022

 

Delhi | Four Congress MPs who are suspended from the Monsoon session for ruckus in the Lok Sabha protest at Gate 1 of the Parliament pic.twitter.com/xRsYUcO1vJ

— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2022

 

Delhi | TMC MPs who are suspended from Rajya Sabha for this week for misconduct protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament pic.twitter.com/XF2jllpHxF

— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2022

As per the day's list of business, the Rajya Sabha is scheduled to take up the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022 for consideration and passage.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha is scheduled to discuss the National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021.

The Opposition staged a protest at the Gandhu statue within the Parliament premises over the suspension of 23 MPs. On Tuesday, 19 Rajya Sabha MPs were suspended till Friday, while earlier this week, four Lok Sabha MPs were suspended for the remainder of the session.

Delhi | Opposition MPs protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the suspension of 23 MPs from Parliament#MonsoonSession pic.twitter.com/ziGADSFuaw

— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2022

Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh gave an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha over "the blatant misuse of investigation agencies by Union govt to exact political vendetta against Congress President Sonia Gandhi"

Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil gave suspension of business notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha over "the current ruling party's political vendetta against its political opponents with the misuse of agencies like ED, CBI, IT." He also gave a suspension of business notice in Rajya Sabha over the deaths due to spurious liquor in Gujarat

Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi gave a zero-hour notice in Rajya Sabha over "writing off of the non-performing loans of Defaulters by the Public Sector Banks (PSBs)."

Congress MP Pramod Kumar (Tiwari) gave a zero-hour notice in the Rajya Sabha over the Agnipath recruitment scheme.

As the Opposition continued sloganeering and demanding a discussion on price rise and GST, Lok Sabha Chair Om Birla's appeals to conduct matters with peace went unheard. Amid chaos within the House, the proceedings were adjourned till 12 pm.

Within minutes of the House convening for the day, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned as Opposition raised slogans over the suspension of MPs and demanded a discussion on price rise and GST.

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday adjourned after passing the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and will meet again at 11 am on Wednesday.

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022 that seeks to amend the Family Courts Act, 1984 to establish Family Courts in Himachal Pradesh with effect from the 15th February, 2019 and in Nagaland with effect from the 12th September, 2008.

The Bill also seeks to insert a new section 3A to retrospectively validate all actions under the said Act taken by the State Government of Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland and the Family Courts of those States prior to the commencement of the Family Courts (Amendment) Act, 2022.

Replying to the debate on the Bill, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said that 715 family courts are functioning across 26 states. The Bill was passed unanimously. In all 21 members participated in the debate on the Bill. (With Harikishan Sharma)

TMC MP Sushmita Dev, who has been suspended along with 18 other MPs, on Tuesday said that it was clear that the BJP-led government does not have an answer to inflation and if Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is not well, Prime Minister Narendra Modi can answer the Opposition's questions. Dev also criticized the imposition of GST on staple items, and the lack of discussions on it.

TMC MP Sushmita Dev on Tuesday spoke against her and 18 others suspended and called it unfair. "This is unfair to suspend 19 MPs for raising questions in parliament. We will protest inside and outside the parliament," Dev saif outside parliament today.

Amid heavy sloganeering and protests from opposition members in the Rajya Sabha, TMC MPs Sushmita Dev, Dr Santanu Sen and Dola Sen among others were suspended for the remaining part of the week for "misconduct" by entering well of the House. This comes after four Congress Lok Sabha MPs were suspended on Monday for similar reasons.

In a letter to President Draupadi Murmu, Opposition MPs pointed out the "stubborn refusal" of the government to allow an urgent debate on price rise and GST. The letter to the President further "continuous and intensifying misuse" of investigative agencies by the Centre against political opponents.

Opposition leaders write to @rashtrapatibhvn on stalemate in Parliament and "misuse" of investigating agencies by govt. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/igaQeOVszK

— Manoj C G (@manojcg4u) July 26, 2022

Four Congress Lok Sabha MPs - Manickam Tagore, Ramya Haridas, T N Prathapan and S Jothi Mani - who were suspended for the rest of Monsoon Session on Monday, held a protest against their suspension. The MPs were joined by leaders of Left parties, NCP, DMK and Congress.

The four @INCIndia MPs who were suspended from the LS fir the remaining part of Monsoon session protest before Gandhi statue along with other party MPs. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/RzA0ArLZXD

— Liz Mathew (@MathewLiz) July 26, 2022

As Opposition members protested during the ongoing Zero Hour, Lok Sabha Chair Rajendra Agarwal adjourned proceedings till 2 pm.

Amid ruckus, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned minutes after convening at 12 pm. The House will now come to order at 12.20 pm.

As both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha saw repeated adjournments on the seventh day of the Monsoon Session, RLD MP Jayant Chaudhary said it was not clear if the government wanted to discuss issues like inflation and Agnipath recruitment scheme. In all-party meet, Rajnath Singh had admitted that Agnipath an important issue and should be discussed. Till now, the government hasn't discussed these issues," he told ANI.

TMC MPs held a protest near the Parliament demanding the inclusion of Garo and Khasi in the Eighth Schedule of Constitution. "I'm going to raise this issue in Zero Hour today in Parliament," Sudip Bandyopadhyay told ANI.

TMC MPs protest near Parliament demanding inclusion of Garo & Khasi in Eighth Schedule of Constitution.

"We're demanding inclusion of Garo & Khasi in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. I'm going to raise this issue in Zero Hour today in Parliament,"says Sudip Bandyopadhyay pic.twitter.com/eA1UhrprzW

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2022

Rajya Sabha paid tributes to Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in the Kargil war, with Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu saying their valour will continue to inspire generations.

When the House met for the day, Chairman Naidu said this July 26 marked the 23rd anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas – the day in 1999 when Indian soldiers threw out enemy forces occupying peaks of Kargil.

This resulted "in a momentous victory for our country", he said.

"The exemplary courage, selfless dedication, and unflinching determination displayed by our soldiers in adverse conditions will always be remembered. Their unparalleled valour and gallantry will continue to inspire generations after generations to dedicate themselves to the cause of the nation," Naidu said. (PTI)

As Opposition MPs continued sloganeering and held placards demanding a discussion on price rise and GST, Speaker Om Birla urged members to await the due time to discuss these issues. As the protests continued, the House was adjourned till 11.45 pm.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12 pm, minutes after proceedings of the House began for the day, amid the Opposition din over lack of discussion on price rise and GST.

India lost 329 tigers in the last three years due to poaching, natural and unnatural causes, the government has said.

As many as 307 elephants have died in this period due to poaching, electrocution, poisoning and train accidents, it added.

According to data presented by Union Minister of State for Environment Ashwini Kumar Choubey in Lok Sabha on Monday, 96 tigers died in 2019, 106 in 2020 and 127 in 2021.

The minister said 68 tiger deaths were attributed to natural causes, five to unnatural causes, 29 to poaching and 30 to 'seizure'. A total of 197 tiger deaths are under scrutiny, he added.

However, the number of poaching cases has reduced over the years -- from 17 in 2019 to four in 2021, the data showed. (PTI)

Amid a stalemate in Parliament, the Congress asked why the government is not allowing an urgent debate on price rise and GST when the entire opposition was demanding it.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said a debate under Rule 267 has been held several times in the past on issues of demonetisation, Jammu and Kashmir, and agri crisis among others. (PTI)

On the seventh day of the Monsoon Session, the Rajya Sabha is scheduled to take up the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022 for consideration and passage. The Lok Sabha is scheduled to discuss the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal on Monday accused the opposition Congress of misleading the public with a 'baseless' allegation on the seating arrangement for the Leader of Opposition in the Upper House Mallikarjuna Kharge at the President's oath ceremony.

Several opposition leaders on Monday wrote to the Rajya Sabha chairman claiming that Kharge was not accorded a seat commensurate with his position during the swearing-in ceremony of President Droupadi Murmu. --PTI

Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the third time on Monday when the proceedings were suspended till 5 pm after unrelenting protests by Opposition members seeking a discussion on price rise with display of placards.

During a discussion on a bill on the weapon of mass destruction and their delivery systems, Sasmit Patra, chairing the house, adjourned the house after Trinamool Congress member Abir Ranjan Biswas refused to heed to his request to stop showing placard behind BJP member Ajay Pratap Singh. --PTI

Following suspension of four of its MPs from the Lok Sabha for rest of the session, the Congress said the government was trying to "intimidate" it, and said the party will not be cowed down by such pressures. Speaking with media alongside the four suspended MPs, Congress' deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said, "The government is trying to intimidate us by suspending our MPs. What was their fault? They were trying to raise the issues which matter to people." "The MPs were holding placards raising the issues of rise in prices of gas cylinder, imposition of GST on items such as flour and buttermilk. We moved an adjournment motion demanding a discussion on these issues, but no discussion was held," PTI quoted Gogoi as saying.

After being suspended for the rest of the Praliamentary session, Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore said the oppostion parties, including the Congress, have been trying to draw the government's attention towrads GST, price rise and all other issues related to public, but the government has shown complete arrogance towards the oppostion parties

"Everyday we are using the Parliament rules and and as per the rules, we are giving adjournment motions. Today also I had givem an adjournment motion... but the government has shown complete arrogance towards the opposition parties," he said.

RS proceedings adjourned till 4 pm as opposition holds protests in House demanding discussion on price rise. --PTI

Lok Sabha adjourned for day amid continuous protests by Opposition

Four Congress MPs Manickam Tagore, TN Prathapan, Jothimani and Ramya Haridas were suspended on Monday for rest of the Parliament session for unruly behaviour and disrupting proceedings, news agency PTI reported.

Stating that the people want the Parliament to function, the Lok Sabha Speaker on Monday told the protesting members of the House that the government is ready to discuss issues raised by Opposition. The proceedings of both the Houses adjourned multiple times on Monday amid Opposition uproar demanding a discussion on price rise and inflation. While the Rajya Sabha was adjourned amid a walkout by some Opposition members, MPs trooped into the Well and held up placards to press their demands. Later, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 3 pm.

The Opposition Parties wrote a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman stating that Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge was made to sit in a seat "not commensurate with the position he holds", at the swearing-in ceremony of President Droupadi Murmu today.

All Opposition Parties submit a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman stating that the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge was made to sit in a seat "not commensurate with the position he holds", at the swearing-in ceremony of President Droupadi Murmu today. pic.twitter.com/TAEZvB53An

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2022

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for about 45 minutes as opposition parties, including the Congress and TMC, held protests in the House seeking a discussion on rising prices of essential commodities.

As the House met at 2 pm, opposition parties insisted on suspension of scheduled business and taking up of discussion on inflation. However, Deputy Chairman Harivansh said the House would take up calling attention motion on the situation arising out of rising case of post-Covid complications.

The opposition members trooped into the well raising slogans, forcing the deputy chairman to adjourn the proceedings till 3 pm. (PTI)

As Opposition MPs raised, slogans, trooped into the Well and held up placards demanding a discussion on price rise, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged the House to maintain decorum.

The government is ready to discuss issues raised by the Opposition. The people want the Parliament to function," he said. He also warned protesting members that those who bring placards to the House will not be allowed to take part in the discussion.

He went on to adjourn the Lok Sabha till 3 pm.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore gave an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha, to discuss 5 percent GST on pre-packed and pre-labelled food grains, curd, butter milk etc.

Meanwhile, TMC Rajya Sabha MPs Derek O'Brien and Dr Santanu Sen gave Suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267 on the 'urgent need to check price rise in essential commodities.'

Following the oath-taking ceremony of President-elect Draupadi Murmu, both Houses were adjourned to reconvene at 2 pm.

As per the House's List of Business, the Rajya Sabha is scheduled to take up the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022 for consideration and passing.

Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022 is scheduled to be introduced for consideration and passage.

Launching her campaign for the Vice-President elections, opposition candidate Margaret Alva on Sunday spoke to Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking his party’s support. She also reached out to the chief ministers of BJP-ruled Assam and Karnataka.

In the presidential elections, opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha got only 208 votes of MPs while President-elect Droupadi Murmu bagged 540. The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament. Read more

With the first week of the Monsoon Session of Parliament ending in a washout as the Opposition locked horns with the government over its demand for an urgent discussion on price rise and the hike in GST rates, the Congress today demanded that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla convene a meeting of the floor leaders to find a way out.

Talking to The Indian Express, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said a middle path or an alternative solution could be found through discussions and argued that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has always spoken about the importance of dialogue and deliberations in democracy. Read more

Amid repeated adjournments in Parliament, Congress MP Manish Tewari said parliamentarians should seriously introspect whether disruption is at all a "legitimate tactic", asserting that it should only be used in an "extreme situation" and not become the norm.

He, however, said it is the responsibility of the government to run the House, and putting the blame for frequent adjournments on the Congress is both "unfortunate and opportunistic", as the BJP and its allies had stalled Parliament during their time as the opposition during 2004-14. (PTI)

While taking oath as the 15th President of India in the Parliament's Central Hall, Draupadi Murmu said it is satisfying that those who were devoid of development for years - the poor, Dalits, backward, the tribals - can see her as their reflection. "My nomination has blessings of the poor behind it, it's a reflection of the dreams and capabilities of crores of women," she said.

"Reaching the Presidential post is not my personal achievement, it is the achievement of every poor in India. My nomination is evidence that the poor in India can not only dream but also fulfill those dreams," Murmu further said.

"I am the first President of the country who was born in independent India. We will have to speed up our efforts to meet the expectations that our freedom fighters had with the citizens of independent India," Murmu said.

Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu receives ceremonial salute at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Former President Ram Nath Kovind also present with her. pic.twitter.com/TEMRPPxn0k

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2022