Pegasus is a tool to silence people: Rahul Gandhi
Targetting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Pegasus snooping row, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said the Israeli spyware is a tool to silence people.
Addressing a ‘Sansad Gherao’ protest organised by the Indian Youth Congress, he said, “Your mobile phone is your voice. Narendra Modi has put the idea of Pegasus in the mobile phone of every youth, not just mine. This idea is that if you speak the truth, Narendra Modi and Pegasus are there in your phones,” he said. “Pegasus is a way to silence the voice of people.” He said the day the youth start speaking the truth, the BJP government will crumble.
Rajya Sabha passes Bill for commission for air quality management in NCR
Parliament on Thursday approved a Bill that seeks to set up a commission for air quality management in the National Capital Region and its adjoining areas.
The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Bill, 2021 — introduced by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav — was passed in Rajya Sabha with a voice vote as Opposition continued to protest. The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Several MPs raised concerns over the clause on collection of environmental compensation, including those who have supported the Bill. Others pointed out that the commission should look at air pollution in other parts of the country as well.
The government approved Rs 5.05 crore for granting Rs 5 lakh each as assistance to the families of 101 journalists who died due to COVID-19, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar informed Lok Sabha Friday. Responding to a question, Pawar said in a written reply the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting undertook a special drive for providing financial assistance to the families of such journalists. "On the basis of applications received by the Press Information Bureau, which fulfill the criteria laid under the Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS) administered by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, a sum of Rs 5.05 crore was approved during 2020 and 2021 for financial assistance at a rate of Rs 5 Lakh/family to each of 101 families of journalists who died due to COVID-19," Pawar said. --PTI
A bill that aims to end all retrospective taxation imposed on indirect transfer of Indian assets was passed by the Lok Sabha on Friday amidst continuous protests by opposition over the alleged snooping through the Pegasus spyware and other issues. When the 'The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021' would be passed by Rajya Sabha too, all tax demands made on companies like Cairn Energy and Vodafone using a 2012 legislation on indirect transfer of Indian assets prior to May 28, 2012 will be withdrawn. --PTI
Opposition leaders reached Jantar Mantar to extend their support to the farmers after Parliament was adjourned for the day. Congress leade Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge among other raised slogans.
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders were seen raising slogans to support the farmers. The leaders held a placard saying, "Save Farmers, Save India."
On their way to protest against Centre's Farm Bills at Jantar Mantar on Friday, opposition leaders raised slogans against the farm laws and pegasus snooping issues. Slogans like “Kala Kanoon Band Karo, Pegasus pe Jaanch Karo' could be heard.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi Mallikarjun Kharge, Ambika Soni, Gaurav Gogoi, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut, RJD's Manoj Jha, DMK's T Siva and others board a bus from near Rakabganj Gurudwara for Jantar Mantar to join farmers in their protest against the Centre's farm laws.
As Parliament got adjourned for the day amid heavy sloganeering, leaders from Opposition parties reached Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to join farmers' protest.
As Parliament got adjourned for the day Opposition leaders including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi gathered at Gate No 1, Parliament for marching towards Jantar Mantar to lend their support to the farmers' protest.
After conducting some legislative business on Friday, Lok Sabha was adjourned till 11 am on Monday. Consistent protests by the opposition MPs who came at the well of the house contributed to this.
Amid consistent sloganeering in the house, the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was passed in Lok Sabha on Friday.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday moved a Bill to further amend the Income-Tax Act, 1961, and the Finance Act, 2012.
Rajya Sabha managed to be in session for a short while, with a few speeches from floor members. However, as the sloganeering became profound, it was adjourned till 12 noon.
Shortly after it came in session, Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon, as opposition members came to the well of the house to protest against Pegsus snooping issue, farm bills among other things.
Lok Sabha resumed its session on Friday even as Opposition continued to raise slogans and protest on various issues.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders on Friday met to discuss strategy for the remaining period of Parliament.
The Government will bring a Bill to Parliament next week to clarify “some provisions in the 102nd Constitutional amendment Bill” to restore the power of the states to identify backward classes — a demand made by a number of regional parties and even the ruling party’s own OBC leaders.
The Constitutional 127th Amendment Bill will amend Articles 342 A — clauses 1 and 2 — and will introduce clause 342 A (3) specifically authorising states to maintain their State List. There will be a consequential amendment in Articles 366(26C) and 338B (9). States will then be able to directly notify OBC and SEBCs without having to refer to the NCBC.
“There has been some confusion about what comprises a state and Central list, and this clause will clarify that,” said ministry sources.
Parliament on Thursday approved a Bill that seeks to set up a commission for air quality management in the National Capital Region and its adjoining areas.
The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Bill, 2021 — introduced by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav — was passed in Rajya Sabha with a voice vote as Opposition continued to protest. The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Several MPs raised concerns over the clause on collection of environmental compensation, including those who have supported the Bill. Others pointed out that the commission should look at air pollution in other parts of the country as well.