Opposition object to PM’s joint address on Covid to MPs at Parliament annexe
Opposition parties on Sunday objected to the government’s offer for a joint address to all MPs by the Prime Minister on Covid at the Parliament annexe, saying this will be “highly irregular” at a time when Parliament will be in session and it aims to “bypass” norms.
Leaders, including from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the CPI(M), also said that when the Covid pandemic and issues related to it can be discussed on the floor of the House, what was the need to go “outside”. The annexe is a separate building within the premises of the Parliament complex.
In an all-party meeting on Sunday, a day before the Monsoon Session of Parliament begins, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address MPs of both the Houses — Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha — on July 20 and speak on the pandemic.
Phones of 2 Ministers, 3 Opp leaders among many targeted for surveillance: Report
In what could trigger a stormy start to the Monsoon session of Parliament commencing Monday, a global collaborative investigative project has revealed that Israeli company NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware targeted over 300 mobile phone numbers in India including that of two serving Ministers in the Narendra Modi government, three Opposition leaders, one constitutional authority, several journalists and business persons.
The Wire, a digital news platform, which is part of the collaboration, reported Sunday that the leaked global database of 50,000 telephone numbers, was first accessed by French non-profit Forbidden Stories and Amnesty International, and then shared with 16 media partners: The Guardian, Washington Post, Le Monde, Suddeutsche Zeitung, and 11 other Arab and European organisations.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 11 am tomorrow
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with an Express account.
Speaking further on the 'Pegasus Project', IT Minister Ashwini Vasihnaw says, 'Requests for lawful interceptions of electronic communication are made as per relevant rules under provisions of Sec 5(2) of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 & Section 69 of Information Technology Act 2000. Each case of interception is approved by the competent authority. Any form of illegal surveillance isn’t possible with checks and balances in our laws and robust institutions. In India, there’s a well-established procedure through which lawful interception of electronic communication is carried out for purpose of national security.
He adds, 'We can't fault those who haven't read the news story in detail & I request all members of House to examine issues on facts & logic. The basis of this report is that there is a consortium that has got access to a leaked database of 50,000 phone numbers...The allegation is that individuals linked to these phone numbers were being spied upon. However, the report says that the presence of a phone number in the data does not reveal whether was a device was infected by Pegasus or subjected to an attempted hack… Without subjecting the phone to this technical analysis, it's not possible to conclusively state whether it witnessed an attempted hack or successfully compromised. The report itself clarifies that presence of a number in the list doesn't amount to snooping.” (ANI)
Speaking on the 'Pegasus Project', IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says in the Lok Sabha, “A highly sensational story was published by a web portal last night. Many over-the-top allegations made around this story. The press reports appeared a day before the monsoon session of Parliament. This can't be a coincidence.”
He adds, “In the past, similar claims were made regarding use of Pegasus on WhatsApp. Those reports had no factual basis & were denied by all parties. Press reports of 18 July 2021 also appear to be an attempt to malign Indian democracy & its well-established institutions.”
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 am tomorrow
Lok Sabha adjourned till 3.30 pm as Opposition MPs continue protest. "It's unfortunate that introduction of OBCs, Dalits, SCs and STs, representatives of northeastern states, and women as Ministers was interrrupted. A democratic process was halted by Opposition MPs. It's an insult to democracy and the people of India. We condemn this," said Piyush Goyal.
We condemn the manner in which Opposition MPs behaved on the first day of the session today. We saw a very unfortunate situation, both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. In Rajya Sabha, the address of the Chairman was interrupted too: Leader of House in the Rajya Sabha, Piyush Goyal.
Telangana Congress chief A Revanth Reddy said he has complained to the Speaker regarding his house arrest, owing to which he couldn’t go to Parliament. “I was ready to go to Parliament but state govt deployed police outside my house and put me under house arrest. It happened because state govt sold some properties, over 50 acre of land, to some of their relatives, party leaders and IAS officer at a value lower than the market price. I had warned the state government that I'll give write a complaint to PM Modi, HM Amit Shan and the CBI Director in Delhi and also raise the issue in Parliament.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while introducing ministers in the Rajya Sabha, said, "It is an occasion where children of farmers are being introduced in the House. But some people are opposing it. Women ministers and ministers from SC/ST and Adivasi communities are being introduced." When the Opposition created a ruckus in Rajya Sabha as well, Modi added, “What is this mentality which can't see their glory?”
The monsoon session of Parliament began on a chaotic note with the opposition Congress blocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attempts to introduce his new council of ministers to the Lok Sabha. Following the uproar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accused the Congress of “breaking the tradition and starting an unhealthy practice.”
“Healthy traditions have been by set by following conventions in Parliament. In my last 24 years of parliamentary life, I have not seen a single instance where the PM could not introduce his council of ministers even if it’s one. It is sad unfortunate and unhealthy,” Singh said in Lok Sabha. PM Modi also hit back at the opposition alleging that some of them could not digest the inclusion of women, Dalits, and sons of farmers into the cabinet and hence disrupted him. (Read Liz Mathew's report)
Members of the Shiromani Akali Dal stage protest against the Centre's farm laws outside the Parliament the as Monsoon Session began on Monday. “Why is the govt not listening to farmers? Today, whoever supports the farmers will have to force the Centre during the session for farmers' rights. Over 500 farmers have died by suicide. We will ask for this law to be repealed,” SAD leader Harsimrat Singh Badal said.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm amid uproar by Opposition MPs. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh raised an objection against the uproar while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was introducing his Council of Ministers in the House. “Congress’s behaviour in Lok Sabha sad, unfortunate, unhealthy,” he added.
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned for an hour till 12.25 pm.
Members of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha pay tribute to MPs and personalities who lost their lives this year.
I thought that there would be enthusiasm in the Parliament as so many women, Dalits, tribals have become Ministers. This time our colleagues from agricultural & rural background, OBC community, have been given berth in Council of Ministers: PM introduces his new Ministers in the Lok Sabha
YSRCP's Maddila Gurumoorthy, BJP's Mangal Suresh Angadi, IUML's Abdussamad Samadan and Congress' Vijayakumar (Alias) Vijay Vasanth take oath as the Members of Parliament (MPs) in Lok Sabha.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while kicking off the Monsoon Session on Monday, said, "Vaccine is given in 'baahu' (arms). Those who take it become 'Baahubali'. Over 40 crore people have become 'Baahubali' in the fight against Covid-19. It's being taken forward. The pandemic has gripped the entire world. So we want meaningful discussions in the Parliament over it."
I would like to urge all the MPs and all the parties to ask the most difficult and sharpest questions in the Houses but should also allow the Centre to respond, in a disciplined environment. This will boost the democracy, strengthen people's trust and improve pace of development: PM Modi (Read more)
I have urged all Floor Leaders that if they can take out some time tomorrow evening then I would like to give them all detailed information regarding the pandemic. We want discussion inside the Parliament as well with the Floor Leaders outside the Parliament: PM Modi
The Business Advisory Committee meeting of Rajya Sabha will be be held 4 pm today. Earlier, the meeting was scheduled to be held at 2 pm.
Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, while expressing concern over the 'Pegasus Project' report, said, "Our national security is under threat. I will definitely raise this issue (in the House)."
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh submitted a notice on Monday seeking suspension of the pre-scheduled business for discussing the Pegasus spyware issue in the Upper House.
This comes a day after it came to light that that Israeli company NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware targeted over 300 mobile phone numbers in India including that of two serving Ministers in the Narendra Modi government, three Opposition leaders, one constitutional authority, several journalists and business persons. (Read Sourav Roy Barman's report)
Submitting a notice seeking discussion on inflation levels, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said, "We have given notice on inflation, others have given on farmers' issues. We will see what is approved by the Business Advisory Committee. We will be raising the same issues."
DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva has given a suspension of business notice under Rule 267, demanding discussion on the Mekedatu Dam issue in the House. (ANI)
Congress MP Jasbir Singh Gill has moved adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over government's farm laws, reported ANI.
Opposition leaders said the revelations of Indian cellphone numbers being targeted by Pegasus spyware were quite “serious” and argued it was an assault on constitutional rights and an invasion of privacy. The question, they said, is whether India is being converted into a police state.
While some leaders said the matter has to be raised in Parliament, sources said the Opposition parties will jointly take a final call Monday morning on whether to raise the issue on the opening day or wait for names of politicians and judges who were being targeted to be released. (Read Manoj C G's report)
Trinamool Congress MPs to ride a cycle to Parliament today in protest against the rise in prices of petrol, diesel and LPG. They have already submitted multiple notices in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to raise issues like hike in fuel prices, farmers' agitation, Covid/vaccination solutions, decline in economic growth, restoration of MPLAD funds and weakening of federal structure.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore gives notice seeking suspension of all business to discuss the "abnormal" increase in prices of petrol and diesel. Congress is expected to take up issues like Covid management, fuel price hike and the country’s economic status during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament.
RJD's MP Manoj Kumar Jha gives a notice in the Rajya Sabha seeking suspension of all business to discuss obfuscation of Covid death data during the second wave.
Trinamool Congress MPs give multiple notices in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to raise issues like hike in fuel prices, farmers' agitation, Covid/vaccination solutions, decline in economic growth, restoration of MPLAD funds and weakening of federal structure.
In what could trigger a stormy start to the Monsoon session of Parliament commencing Monday, a global collaborative investigative project has revealed that Israeli company NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware targeted over 300 mobile phone numbers in India including that of two serving Ministers in the Narendra Modi government, three Opposition leaders, one constitutional authority, several journalists and business persons.
The Wire, a digital news platform, which is part of the collaboration, reported Sunday that the leaked global database of 50,000 telephone numbers, was first accessed by French non-profit Forbidden Stories and Amnesty International, and then shared with 16 media partners: The Guardian, Washington Post, Le Monde, Suddeutsche Zeitung, and 11 other Arab and European organisations. (Read Aashish Aryan and Pranav Mukul's report)
In a coordinated effort to corner the government during the Monsoon Session which begins Monday, the Opposition parties have decided to raise three key issues in the House: the ongoing farmers’ agitation, rising fuel prices, and the management of the Covid-19 pandemic, including the Centre’s vaccination strategy.
Top Opposition leaders met here on Sunday, soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi told an all-party meeting that the government was ready for a meaningful discussion on various issues. Sources said the Opposition parties will give notices demanding discussions on the farmers’ agitation and the rise in fuel prices, suspending all other business — a plea which governments rarely accept. (Read Manoj C G's report)