Ahead of the beginning of the special session of parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that this is a session of historic decisions. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament House, he said, “It is true, this session is small, but in terms of time it is very big. This is a session of historic decisions.” “One specialty of this session is that the journey of 75 years is now starting from a new place. The point at which the journey took 75 years was a very inspiring moment and now while taking that journey forward at a new place, we have to make this country a developed country in 2047 with new resolve, new energy, new faith and within the time limit,” Modi said. He added, “All the decisions that are going to be taken for this are going to be taken in this new Parliament House. And that is why this session is important in many ways, I urge all the respected MPs that it is a short session, they should get as much time as possible, in an atmosphere of excitement and enthusiasm, there is a lot of time to cry, keep doing it.” “I hope that leaving behind the old evils, we will enter the new House with the best of the good things and will leave no stone unturned in enhancing the value of the good things in the new House,” the PM said. Modi began his remarks by discussing the success of Moon Mission— Chandrayaan-3—and said that the Shivshakti Point on moon has become the center of “new inspiration”, and Tiranga Point is filling the country with “pride”. He also mentioned the “unprecedented success” of the G-20. “India will always be proud of being the voice of the Global South in the G-20. Permanent membership of the African Union and unanimous declaration in G-20. All these things are indicating the bright future of India,” the PM said. He also mentioned the inauguration of “Yashobhoomi”, an International Convention Center.
The Congress on Tuesday termed as “election jumla” and “huge betrayal of hopes of women” the women’s reservation bill brought by the government, noting the Centre has stated that the reservation will be effective only after a Census and delimitation exercise is conducted post-enactment of the bill.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh wondered whether the Census and delimitation will be done before the 2024 elections, pointing out that the Narendra Modi government has not yet conducted the 2021 decadal Census.
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In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “In a season of election jumlas, this one is the biggest of them all! A huge betrayal of the hopes of crores of Indian women and girls.” “As we had pointed out earlier, Modi government has not yet conducted the 2021 Decadal Census making India the only country in G20 that has failed to carry out the Census. Now it says that the reservation for women will come into effect only following the first decadal Census conducted AFTER the Women’s Reservation Bill has become an Act. When will this Census take place?”
"As we move to a new Parliament, we remember the iconic Parliament that stands not just as a structure, but as a testament to our nation's rich democratic heritage for decades. Every brick echoes the debates, decisions, and dedication of those who shaped India. We will always be inspired by the great men and women who served here and contributed to national progress," tweets Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Narendra Modi government Tuesday introduced the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2023, to bring in 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and all state Legislative Assemblies. This will include reserving one-third of the seats kept for SC/STs, and “as nearly as possible”, one-third of the total seats in the general category.
The seats will be reserved after the completion of the delimitation exercise based on the first Census conducted after the passage of the Bill. It mandates women’s reservation for 15 years from the commencement of the Act, with Parliament empowered to extend it further.
Rotation of seats reserved for women will happen only after each subsequent delimitation exercise, to be determined by Parliament by law, as per the Bill. Read more
? Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the purpose of the new women's reservation bill Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam is to expand women's participation in Lok Sabha and assemblies, and asserted it will further strengthen Indian democracy, as he urged MPs of both Houses of Parliament to pass the bill unanimously. "The Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam will further strengthen our democracy. I congratulate mothers, sisters and daughters of the nation for Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam. I assure all mothers, sisters and daughters of the nation that we are committed to making this bill into a law," he said, amidst thumping of desks by members of both treasury and opposition benches.
? Some opposition parties, including the Congress, have been seeking a law to ensure reservation of seats for women in legislative bodies. The women's reservation bill was given approval in the Union Cabinet meeting on Monday, said the prime minister, who also recalled how the world embraced the concept of India's women-led development during the G20.
? Observing the growing contribution of women in every sector, Modi stressed on the need for inclusion of more women in policy-making so that their contribution to the nation increases further. He urged members to open the doors of opportunities for women on this historic day.
? "Taking forward the resolution of women-led development, our government is today presenting a major constitutional amendment bill. The purpose of this bill is to expand the participation of women in Lok Sabha and assemblies," he said. "I request as well as urge all colleagues in this House, as a pious auspicious beginning is being made, if this bill becomes a law with consensus, then its power will magnify manifold. Therefore, I request both the Houses to pass the bill with full consensus," the prime minister said.
? Modi said for many years, there have been several debates and controversies around women's reservation. On women's reservation, there have been many efforts earlier also in Parliament. In 1996, the first bill related to this was introduced, he added. During Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure, many times the women's reservation bill was brought but numbers could not be mustered for it and the dream was left unfulfilled, Modi said.
? "For that work of ensuring rights of women and putting their power to use, and for many such nobel works, God has chosen me. Once again our government has taken a step in this direction. In the Cabinet yesterday, the women's reservation bill was given approval. This date of September 19 is going to be etched in history," he said.
? Noting that there comes a time in the development journey of any nation when history is created, Modi said today's occasion is India's moment in its development journey when history is being written.
?As the Lok Sabha convened in the new Parliament building for the first time, Prime Minister Modi called on MPs to forget all past bitterness and start a new chapter, asserting that whatever they are going to do in the new complex, should be an inspiration for every citizen of the country. He said the conduct of the members will decided whether they will sit in the opposition or the treasury benches as proceedings are telecast live.
? The prime minister stressed on the need for collective dialogue and action for general welfare as well as unity of goals. "All of us should follow the Lakshaman Rekha of parliamentary traditions", he said.
? The House is not meant for the benefit of any political party, but for the development of the nation, the prime minister saud. "The Parliament is the supreme position to serve the country," he said. (PTI)
On Women's Reservation Bill, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said, "They (BJP govt) want political advantage in 2024 and want to tell women that they did such a historic thing...they should have done this in 2014. What is so historic about this?...there will be a census and delimitation before the Women's Reservation Bill is implemented. What if census and delimitation don't happen? They're just showing dreams to women that they will get reservation in 2029...they can't think anything other than politics."
On the Women's Reservation Bill, Congress MP Manish Tewari said, "The Bill which has been introduced is unfortunately a betrayal of the women's movement and their struggle for greater representation in policy making and in legislative affairs. Clause 334 A of the Bill says that the reservation will come into effect after the first census post the passage of the Constitutional Amendment Bill and the delimitation which would follow. So essentially what it means is that under no circumstances will this reservation come into effect before 2029."
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned. It will now meet at 11 am tomorrow.
LoP in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge concluded his speech by saying, 'However good the constitution may be, if those who are implementing it are bad, then it will be bad.'
LoP in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks on political parties 'preferring a section of women' sparked ruckus in Rajya Sabha." The leader said, "Literacy rate of women from scheduled caste is less and that's why political parties have a habit of choosing weak women and they won't choose those who're educated and can fight."
Objecting to the comment, the Finance Minister said, "We respect the leader of the opposition but to make a sweeping statement that all parties choose women who are not effective is absolutely unacceptable."
On Women's Reservation Bill, Leader of LoP in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said, "They don't give us credit but I want to bring to their notice that the Women Reservation Bill was already passed in 2010 but it was stopped."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha in the first day of House proceedings in the new Parliament, and said that that the long-standing women’s reservation bill, will “pave way for women’s empowerment.”
PM Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha and said, "The new Parliament House is not just a new building, but it is also a symbol of a new beginning."
He added, "The construction of this building at the beginning of Amritkaal and the entry of all of us here will in itself create new energy and new confidence in the hopes, aspirations of the 140 crore citizens of the country."
Responding to the introduction of the Women's Reservation Bill by the BJP government, Opposition Congress said that it was a 'jumla'.
The party added that the government is yet to conduct the 2021Census, and has said tha the reservation will come into effect after that only. "Will delimitation take place before 2024 polls?" Congress asked.
The party further called it a "huge betrayal" of Indian women.
On the first day at the New Parliament House, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2:47 pm
The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was introduced in the first day of House proceedings in the new Parliament House today by Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, amid ruckus in the Lok Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier made a pitch for women-led development. He also talked about the history of the women’s reservation Bill, and previous attempts to introduce and pass it by various governments.
Speaking on the first session in the new Parliament House, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury recalled how it was in the Rajiv Gandhi government that one-third seats in urban and rural local bodies were reserved for women.
His remarks led to disruptions in the House, which led him to remark that only a while before, the Prime Minister had talked about "good behaviour" in the House.
In his first speech at the new Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a pitch for women-led development in the country, highlighting the various contributions made by women in different sectors and fields.
He also mentioned the Women's Reservation Bill, which will be introduced by Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal later in the session. He congratulated women, and urged the House to pass it with a majority.
Invoking the Sengol, Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the first session of Parliament in the new building said that it was a symbol of continuity between India's past and present.
Addressing MPs at the new Parliament House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this was, in many ways, "the dawn of the amrit kaal".
According to the revised List of Business today, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will move for leave to introduce a "Bill further to amend the Constitution of India".
The first session in the New Parliament House, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May this year, began today. Before shifting to the new premises, members of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha posed for a group photograph at the old building. They later gathered in the Central Hall, where leaders like Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress leaders Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Mallikarjun Kharge, and the oldest serving Lok Sabha MP Maneka Gandhi delivered speeches.
After the conclusion of the Central Hall event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and others began walking towards the New Parliament House.
Addressing the Central Hall on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that through the G20 Summit, it is clear that India is providing the world with governance and direction.
Addressing the Central Hall on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that all laws made in the Parliament and all debates taking place there must be aimed at encouraging Indian aspirations.
"We have a roadmap of 75 years... if we keep our aspirations high, we can surely succeed," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the Central Hall today.
"Within a few years, India started discussing India's 'atmananirbharta'. Which Indian doesn't want India to be self-reliant in defence sector? It is our collective responsibility to fulfil India's dreams of self-reliance," he said.
"In every sector, we have to ensure world-class standards. We have to dream that my product has to be the best globally, not just by domestic parameters," Modi said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address in the Central Hall, talked about how India is fast becoming an aspirational society.
He mentioned how India's governnance model, Digital India, UPI, etc are gaining popularity and acceptance worldwide.
"India doesn't want to stop, it wants to take up new goals," he said.
"Can anyone make a big painting on a small canvas? Just like that's not possible, we also need to enlarge our thinking about India's aspirations," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid special attention to Jammu and Kashmir during his address in the Central Hall and said that the Parliament has done exceptional work in improving the lives of the people of the Union Territory. He mentioned the abrogation of Article 370 as a significant step towards that direction.
"People of Jammu and Kashmir don't want to leave any opportunity to move forward," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed MPs from both Houses at the Central Hall in the old Parliament building on Tuesday.
He extended Ganesh Chaturthi greetings, and said "We are moving towards the new House with a renewed determination to make India a developed nation".
"The old building, and especially this Central Hall, is full of our emotions. It makes us emotional, but also inspires us for our duty," he said.
He recalled the transformation of the building from a colonial institution to the place where India's Constitution was shaped.
"It was in this Central Hall, that our Tricolour, our national song was adopted. On historical events, across governments, both Houses came together here and deliberated on important issues and took significant decisions," Modi said.
"Indian Presidents have addressed us here. In the last 7 decades, we have adopted various responsibilities, took on various amendments and improvements. All the Lok Sabhas have passed more than 4,000 laws," he said.
He mentioned several laws which were passed in Joint Sessions of the Parliament in the Central Hall, like laws to combat terrorism, empowerment of Muslim women, criminalisation of dowry, transgender rights, etc.
At the last gathering of MPs at the Central Hall, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that the New Parliament House will bring in new ambitions, expectations, hopes and joys for everyone.
He also recalled the contributions of the Constituent Assemby who paved the way for Indian parliamentrary democracy.
Birla also paid tribute to soldiers who had lost their lives in line of duty.
Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed MPs from both Houses at Central Hall on Tuesday, before the move to the New Parliament building.
"The Constitution of India is the bedrock of Indian democratic polity," he said.
He also recalled the contributions made by members of the Constituent Assembly, along with India's first president, Dr Rajendra Prasad, first PM, Jawaharlal Nehru, the "architect of modern India", Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and father of the Indian Constitution Dr B R Ambedkar.
He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remembering Nehru's 'tryst with destiny' speech, which he had delivered on the occasion of India's independence from British Rule.
Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal said that the New Parliament House is a "living example of traditional heritage and modernity".
At the last gathering of MPs at the Central Hall, Union Minister Piyush Goyal extended Ganesh Chaturthi greetings.
Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury addressed the MPs gathered at the Central Hall, and recalled India's founding fathers and their contribution to India's constitutional democracy.
He also talked about development. "Our ability to achieve developed nation status by 2047 depends on our citizens' development," he said.
"We are confronted by immediate challenges which require attention and resolution," Chowdhury said.
Human Development Index is common among all developed countries, he said, and added that India has been lagging behind in it.
"Why only 2047? Why not before 2047?" he asked, urging everyone to contribute towards the nation's development.
Speaking at the Central Hall before the House proceedings move to the New Parliament building, BJP's Maneka Gandhi, who is the oldest serving Lok Sabha MP, said, "PM Modi's leadership has undertaken to repair the deep-rooted asymmetry and give equal share to India's women."
She added she hoped the "great edifice of the new building" will reflect "Bharat's evolution".
Concluding her remarks, she called for empathy and kindness, especially among young women.
A Gazette notification issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat said that the new building of the Parliament, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May this year, will be officially known as "Parliament House of India".
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Narhari Amin fainted during the group photo session that took place before House proceedings shifted to the New Parliament building.
He later recovered and joined the photo session again.
The second day of the ongoing special session will mark the first time House proceedings take place in the New Parliament building, which was inaugurated by Modi in May this year.
Before shifting to the new premises, members of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha posed for a group photograph at the old building.
Responding to questions about the Women's Reservation Bill which was cleared by the Union Cabinet yesterday, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi said: "It is ours, apna hai".
Greater representation of women in politics has been discussed in India for a long time now-- right from the pre-Independence era. It was also given weightage in discussions in the Constituent Assembly.
However, it was only in the 1970s that the issue ganed momentum in independent India.
In 1971, responding to a request from the United Nations for a report on the status of women ahead of International Women’s Year, 1975, the Union Ministry of Education and Social Welfare appointed a Committee on the Status of Women in India (CSWI) to examine the constitutional, administrative, and legal provisions that have a bearing on the social status of women, their education, and employment — and the impact of these provisions.
Later, the Rajiv Gandhi and P V Narasimha Rao governments took steps forward in ensuring greater representation for women in politics.
Shyamlal Yadav explains
The Narendra Modi-led government’s decision of clearing the women's reservation Bill ahead of state polls and the general elections next year caps its string of measures targeting social welfarism to women and framing it in terms of empowerment and representation.
A steady uptick in women voters brought about a change on the ground for the ruling party. In 1962, 62% of men and just 46.6% of women voted in the Lok Sabha elections. That percentage rose to 67.2% in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, surpassing the share of men (67%).
Read more
Hours before the Union Cabinet met, several Opposition MPs called for the Bill and its immediate passage, in a sign of (rare) bipartisan support. Additionally, at least four parties of the INDIA bloc – Samajwadi Party, RJD, JMM and the JD(U) – are in favour of a quota-within-quota for OBCs and minorities.
However, sources in at least two of the parties told The Indian Express that they would not let this issue divide the Opposition alliance.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Rajya Sabha: “We all wish that the women’s reservation Bill should be brought and women should be given what is due.”
NCP working president Supriya Sule in Lok Sabha: "Since we are all deliberating here, I take this opportunity to say that 50 per cent of India’s population is women. So, why do we all not deliberate this in the new Parliament building? Maybe this can be the first decision that the Honourable Prime Minister can take in the new building. We will all support him if he brings reservation for women in Parliament and Assemblies. We will wholeheartedly support this Bill."
SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal: “The women’s reservation Bill must come… In the first election of our country, the turnout of women was 46 per cent and now the percentage is even more. How can women’s issues be addressed if there is not proper representation? I demand reservation for women. That is why it takes a Nirbhaya to bring in strong laws. That is why our women wrestlers, who bring laurels to the country, have to fight for months to get justice, and that is why for the horrific Manipur incident of atrocity on women, a No-Confidence Motion had to come in to make this government speak. I think more women are needed in this Parliament.”
The women’s reservation Bill, stuck for 27 years, is said to have been cleared by the Narendra Modi Government in an unscheduled meeting on Monday, reserving 33 per cent seats for women in Parliament and legislative Assemblies.
According to sources, the legislation is unlikely to be implemented in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It will be rolled out only after the delimitation process is over, most probably in 2029, they added.
The chequered legislative history of the Women’s Reservation Bill began 27 years ago when the H D Deve Gowda-led government introduced it in Parliament in September 1996.
Almost every government has since tried to push it through — the UPA government even managed to get it passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2010 — but the move could not come to fruition so far for lack of political will and consensus.
On Monday evening, the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared the draft Bill to provide women reservation in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, which would be now tabled in both the Houses for consideration and passage during the ongoing special session of Parliament. Read Full Report
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday cleared the women’s reservation bill, which seeks to provide 33 per cent quota to women in Parliament and state legislatures, according to sources. The Bill is likely to be tabled in Parliament in the coming days.
"In its 75-year historical journey, this Parliament building has played a crucial role. The Parliament building is not just a structure but the heart of India, which empathizes with the suffering of the poor and the oppressed," shared Asaduddin Owaisi on X.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will lead a function in the Central Hall of Parliament on Tuesday to celebrate the country's rich parliamentary legacy and resolve to make India a developed nation by 2047.
The nearly one-and-a-half hour function will start and end with the national anthem and would be followed by a lunch. Later, the top leaders will lead all MPs to the new Parliament building.
"Members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha are requested to assemble in the Central Hall of Parliament at 11 A.M. on 19.09.2023 for a function to commemorate the rich legacy of the Parliament of India and resolve to make Bharat a developed Nation by 2047," a Rajya Sabha bulletin said.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi will deliver the welcome address at the Central hall function, and veteran parliamentarians will also speak on the occasion.
Sources said BJP MP Maneka Gandhi, who is also the senior most Lok Sabha member, will be the first speaker. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh has been approached to deliver an address at the function after Maneka Gandhi, but sources close to him said Singh has not been keeping well for some time and may not be present.
The function will also see the address of veteran Parliamentarian Shibu Soren, whose combined Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha experience is more than any other member.
Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal, Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House Mallikarjun Kharge, and Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury will also speak on the occasion. (PTI)
On Women's Reservation Bill, former Bihar CM and HAM leader Jitan Ram Manjhi said: "Women are not behind men in any field... In fact, they are ahead of men in some fields. Women should be given reservations... If the reservation is given to both communities, one with 100 per cent literate women and one with a lower literacy rate in women, then the benefit of the reservation will be taken by communities that have 100 per cent literate women. Considering these complexities, women from communities with a lower literacy rate should be given reservations."
"What happened today in this old Parliament building was sad. I was the last speaker today from the opposition. My party was given 18 minutes to speak. Then I was told, I would only get a chance to speak for 10 minutes and suddenly in the middle of my speech, unbelievably I was stopped, and the House was adjourned," said Trinamool Congress leader Derek O Brien.
Urging the government to usher in the Women’s Reservation Bill, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said Monday that the world had changed much since the first Lok Sabha when 5 per cent of MPs were women, but even today Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have only 10 per cent and 14 per cent women MPs, respectively.
Speaking in the Upper House during a discussion on the ‘Parliamentary journey of 75 years’ on day one of the five-day special session, Kharge said there had been efforts to enact a reservation for women. Addressing Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, he said that if the chairman took up the issue, the government would respond.
“We all wish that the Women’s Reservation Bill should be brought and women should be given what is due,” Kharge said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a Union Cabinet meeting after the conclusion of the first day of the special session.
Lok Sabha was adjourned till 1:15 pm tomorrow.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2:15 pm tomorrow.
Derek O Brien spoke in the Rajya Sabha, where he shared his learnings as an MP of 13 years, and said: "Give me back my Parliament, where Prime Ministers come and answer questions on the floor of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha."
"Give me back my Parliament, where members are allowed to vote when Bills are put to vote, and not the sacrilege that happened during the Farm Bills," he said.
The Lok Sabha panel on privileges on Monday submitted a report recommending revocation of the suspension of Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from the Lower House. The report was adopted by the Privileges Committee of the Lok Sabha on August 30 and Chowdhury's suspension was revoked by Speaker Om Birla on the same day.
The Committee, in its report, said Chowdhury's conduct of frequently interrupting or disturbing the proceedings of the House during the speech of the prime minister or other ministers was a "clear case of 'contempt of the House'."
"Nevertheless, in view of the regrets expressed by Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Member of Parliament, during his evidence before the Committee, the Committee would recommend that no further punitive action is called for in the matter," said the report, tabled by Committee Chairman Sunil Kumar Singh.
"The Committee, therefore, recommend that the suspension suffered by Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury so far, be regarded as sufficient punishment and the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha may consider discontinuance/revoking the suspension … at the earliest, even without waiting for the House to reassemble for the forthcoming Winter Session in November/December 2023," the report said.
The Congress leader was suspended from Lok Sabha on August 10 for "repeated misconduct", pending an investigation by the privileges committee. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had moved a resolution for Chowdhury's suspension, saying he disturbs the House whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ministers speak or a debate is going on. The resolution was passed by a voice vote. Chowdhury had later appeared before the Privileges Committee and expressed regret over his conduct. (PTI)
Forrmer PM and JD(S) MP HD Devegowda spoke on the Cauvery water sharing issuu and said, "We should all sit together and try to resolve this problem...Legal battle will not solve this problem."
A meeting of the Union Cabinet is likely to take place at 6:30 p.m. today. (ANI)
While congratulating the nation on the successful G20 Summit, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Monday said in the Rajya Sabha that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “vision” made India’s presidency a “people’s G20”. Starting the special session of Parliament, Dhankhar made a statement regarding the recently concluded G20 Summit.
“I laud the Prime Minister’s vision that made it truly the people’s G20. More than 200 meetings in 60 cities covering all the states and union territories of India is unprecedented. At the same time, the G20 New Delhi leaders’ summit with 42 delegations was one of the largest in size, scale and scope. This has provided opportunity to the world to experience richness of diversity, democracy and talent of India. India’s G20 presidency has proven to be inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, decisive and people-centric. The outcomes of the G20 leaders’ summit are transformational and would contribute to the reshaping of the global world order in the decades ahead,” Dhankhar said. Read more
The two Houses of Parliament, for five days beginning September 18, will discuss the “Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha — Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings”, and take up some Bills for consideration under a “special session”.
Usually, Parliament is in session for three periods in a year: the Budget session, the Monsoon session and the Winter session. The Monsoon session ended on August 11 this year.
The Bills listed in the Lok Sabha’s bulletin include the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill and the Post Office Bill. The Rajya Sabha bulletin has the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023. Here's what they say.
Congress leader KC Venugopal pushed for the women's reservation bill and said, "The Women's Reservation Bill is the brainchild of the Indian National Congress and UPA. We gave 50% reservation to women in local bodies. If they (Centre) have any sincerity in their mind, they should pass the Women's Reservation Bill in this session."
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar on Monday asked the Opposition how long it would keep justifying disruptions of proceedings going by the past precedents, saying when there was time to put forth its views the Congress was absent from house.
Participating in a discussion on Parliamentary Journey of 75 Years Starting from Samvidhan Sabha - Achievements, Experiences, Memories, and Learnings,' Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge said that with disruptions, his party was only following the example of late BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj when they were in Opposition.
Quoting a remark from Jaitley from an Upper House proceeding on January 30, 2011, Kharge said, "The job of Parliament is to discuss. Whenever issues are ignored, creating obstacles is in the interest of the public system. Therefore, parliamentary obstruction cannot be called undemocratic."
"Swaraj too had said in the Lok Sabha, 'Not allowing Parliament to function is also a form of democracy in other words.' "When we are doing the same, we are attacked," Kharge said. The chairman responded to his remarks, saying, "After thinking carefully, tell me, how long will we continue to disturb the house based on past precedent? How long will we continue to justify the disturbance." (PTI)