Parliament Live: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh speaks in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, December 13, 2022. (PTI)Winter Session of Parliament 2022 Highlights: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday informed Lok Sabha that Indian Army troops bravely stopped the Chinese Army from transgressing (atikraman) the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Yangtse area of Arunachal’s Tawang sector on December 9. “I want to assure the House, that no Indian soldier was killed or severely injured. I also assure the House that our Army is capable of defending the territorial integrity of the country. Our Army is ready to tackle any transgression. I firmly believe the House will support the bravery and courage of our armed forces,” he said.
The clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Tawang sector rocked Parliament on Tuesday with several Opposition MPs demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the situation at the border. The Opposition leaders staged a walkout in Lok Sabha soon after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh concluded his statement on the Tawang faceoff incident. In Rajya Sabha, the Congress staged a walkout after it was denied permission to seek clarifications on the Defence Minister’s statement. Congress members said there was no point in sitting inside the House if they are not given clarifications.
The central government, meanwhile, is likely to move the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022, and the Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019, in the Lok Sabha for consideration and passage. For the legislative business in the Rajya Sabha, the Centre has listed the Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022 and the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2022 on Tuesday for consideration and passage.
A worker cleans a brass plaque featuring the Parliament House, at the Parliament House complex in New Delhi, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (PTI Photo)
A Parliamentary panel on Tuesday recommended various changes to a bill to amend the competition law, including bringing cartels under the scope of settlements as a "pragmatic recourse".
In its report tabled in the Lok Sabha, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance also said the "current prima-facie opinion timeline and that of passing the order for approval of combinations, should remain unchanged".
Under the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022 that was introduced in the Parliament on August 5, the corporate affairs ministry has proposed reducing the timeline for CCI to form a prima-facie opinion on a case to 20 days from 30 days. --PTI
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture has summoned on December 15 the CEO of Delhi International Airport and others in connection with passengers facing crowding at the airport.
Accusing the BJP government of being incompetent in managing the economy, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra said that the data on industrial output, manufaturing sector and the number of people who are leaving India raises serious questions on “who the real Pappu – a term coined by the ruling party to denigrate, to signify extreme incompetence – is?"
Moitra, who was taking part in the debate over the supplementary demand for grants, pointed out that the supplementary demand for grants would amount to an additional expenditure of about Rs 4.36 lakh crores which will raise the fiscal deficit above the providing in the original budget and that it “goes against the government's own stated goal of contains the fiscal deficit.”
According to the NSO numbers released on Monday, the MP said, industrial output has shrunk by 4 per cent in October to a 26-month low. The manufacturing sector, the biggest generator of jobs, contracted 5.6% and 17 of the industry sectors that make up the Index of Industrial Production have recorded negative growth rates. Forex reserves have fallen by $72 billion in just under a year, she said.
Parliamentary panel to take up Delhi airport congestion issue with airport operator DIAL's CEO on Dec 15, Committee Chairman Vijayasai Reddy said. --PTI
FCRA registration certificates of 1,811 associations cancelled from 2019 to 2021: Govt to Lok Sabha
Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday led the nation in paying tributes to those who laid down their lives during the 2001 Parliament terrorist attack.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Parliamentarians across the party lined up to pay tributes to the martyrs of the 2001 Parliament terrorist attack.
After paying floral tributes, Union Minister and leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal along with Parliamentary Affairs
Minister Pralhad Joshi were seen interacting with Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
Twenty-one years ago on December 13, terrorists of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) attacked the Parliament complex and opened fire. Their attempt to storm Parliament House was foiled by personnel from Parliament Security Service, CRPF and Delhi Police.
The attack victims included five Delhi police personnel, a woman Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper, two Parliament watch and ward staff and a gardener. A journalist who was injured died later. All five terrorists were shot dead. --PTI
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh on Tuesday refused permission to opposition MPs to seek clarification on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's statement on the clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Arunchal Pradesh, saying clarifications are not allowed on sensitive issues.
Opposition parties led by the Congress, which stalled proceedings in the first hour of the session and thereafter raised slogans demanding a discussion on the border clashes, wanted to seek a number of clarifications after Singh made a statement in both houses of Parliament. Harivansh, however cited four precedents to say queries cannot be allowed on sensitive issues.
Opposition members, however, were not satisfied and continued to raise the issue for sometime, before the Congress led them to stage a walkout of the House. (PTI)
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A Parliamentary panel on Tuesday recommended various changes to a bill to amend the competition law, including bringing cartels under the scope of settlements as a "pragmatic recourse".
In its report tabled in the Lok Sabha, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance also said the "current prima-facie opinion timeline and that of passing the order for approval of combinations, should remain unchanged".
Under the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022 that was introduced in the Parliament on August 5, the corporate affairs ministry has proposed reducing the timeline for CCI to form a prima-facie opinion on a case to 20 days from 30 days. Also, it has proposed cutting down the timeline for approval of combinations to 150 days from 210 days. (PTI)
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi Tuesday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was failing in showing political leadership.
"The clash happened on December 9 and you are making a statement today. Had the media not reported, you wouldn't have spoken. Take all parties to the site of the clash. The PM is scared of taking China's name. His govt scared of speaking about China," he told news agency ANI.
Speaking to reporters after the Congress staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday as it was denied permission to seek clarifications on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's statement on the clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Tawang sector, Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge said: "He (Defence Minister) read out his statement and went out. He was not ready for any clarification or discussion. There is no relation to Rajiv Gandhi Foundation FCRA licence cancellation issue. If it's our fault then hang us."
"We were told by the Leader of the House and Deputy Rajya Sabha Chairman that we would be given a chance for clarification but they did not give it and were not ready to listen to us. This is not good for the country," the Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha said.
"When they did not give us clarification, all leaders of the opposition parties decided to stage a walkout. We stand together for the unity and integrity of our country, we are with our soldiers," he added. (ANI)
The Congress on Tuesday staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha after it was denied permission to seek clarifications on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's statement on the clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Tawang sector. Congress members said there was no point in sitting inside the House if they are not given clarifications.
Members of the CPI, CPI-M, Shiv Sena, RJD, SP and JMM joined the Congress members in staging a walkout from the House. Deputy Chairman Harivansh said since the matter was sensitive in nature, no clarifications would be allowed. He also cited several instances in the past when no clarifications were allowed in the House on sensitive issues.
"The opposition repeatedly asked for a debate on the Chinese transgression, but the government refused to allow it. The defence minister left without giving any clarification to the House. This is not good for the nation," Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters after staging the walkout. He said there was no point sitting inside the House if the government refuses to give any clarifications. He, however, said his party stood united with the armed forces. (PTI)
The Indian Army bravely thwarted an attempt by the Chinese PLA from "unilaterally" changing the status quo in the Yangtse area of Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang sector on December 9, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Parliament on Tuesday. There were no fatalities or serious injuries to Indian troops in the scuffle, he said.
In a suo motu statement in Lok Sabha, Singh also said Indian troops confronted the attempt in a "firm and resolute manner", and Chinese personnel went back to their locations due to the timely intervention of Indian commanders. He also made an identical statement in Rajya Sabha.
Singh's statement came a day after the Indian Army said troops from two sides clashed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Tawang sector and the face-off led to "minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides". (PTI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (December 13) told Parliament that the Indian Army had resisted an attempt by China to change the status quo on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh and pushed back People’s Liberation Army soldiers engaged in the incursion attempt.
Both Indian and Chinese soldiers had suffered some injuries in the clash, he said. Read more to find out what we know so far
The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday remembered the valour and bravery of the martyrs of the 2001 Parliament attack while paying rich tributes to them.
The members also stood in silence in their places for a moment as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the attack.
Soon after the proceedings of the House started, Deputy Chairman Harivansh said December 13 will always be remembered as the grimmest day in the history of independent India.
He said 21 years ago on this day in 2001, terrorists attacked this sacred temple of democracy, but security personnel displayed courage and valour to defend and protect Parliament and foil the audacious attempt of terrorists to strike at the very soul of our nation. (PTI)
Pointing out that there is no doubt that China has its eyes on Tawang, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor Tuesday said: "We have to be very alert there. I think what our Army did yesterday had the support of the entire country. I told the Centre that they should show the world that India is one and every member of every party is with the Army on this." (ANI)
Stating that the Communist Party of India (CPI) has always advocated for border disputes to be resolved, party Rajya Sabha MP Binoy Viswam Tuesday said: "Military way isn't the way. India and China are good friends traditionally. They can meet, initiate dialogue and through talks, it can be resolved. But every inch of Indian soil is precious for us." (ANI)
Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned till 2 pm.
No one can capture one inch of land till the Narendra Modi government is in power, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday as the opposition demanded a discussion on clashes between Indian and Chinese forces along the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh.
Addressing reporters outside Parliament House, Shah also said the Congress had raised the border issue in Parliament to avoid questions on the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation's FCRA [Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act] cancellation.
The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF), he alleged, had got Rs 1.35 crore from the Chinese Embassy. Its registration was cancelled as this was not according to FCRA rules, he said. "India's permanent seat in the UN Security Council was sacrificed because of Nehru's love for China," Shah said.
He applauded Indian soldiers for their valour. "I want to say it clearly... till the time the BJP government led by Prime Minister Modi is in power, no one can capture an inch of our land," Shah said. (PTI)
Lok Sabha on Tuesday paid glowing tributes to those who laid down their lives while foiling a terror attack on Parliament 21 years ago. As soon as the house assembled, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said it was a sad day for the country as terrorists carried out a cowardly attack on Parliament.
He said that the whole nation stands behind the family of those killed in the terrorist attack and the country stands solidly against any form of terrorism. The members of the house also stood in silence for some moments in memory of the victims.
On December 13, 2001, terrorists attacked the Parliament complex and opened fire, killing nine people. The attack victims included five Delhi police personnel, a woman Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper, two Parliament watch and ward staff and a gardener. A journalist who was injured died later. All five terrorists were shot dead. (PTI)
The Indian Army bravely prevented the Chinese PLA's attempts to unilaterally change the status in the Yangtse area of Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang sector on December 9 and confronted it with firmness, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday. In a statement in Lok Sabha, Singh said no Indian soldiers has died, nor has anyone been seriously injured in the faceoff.
"The Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from encroaching on our territory, and forced them to withdraw to their posts. Some soldiers from both sides were injured in the skirmish," the defence minister said. "I would like to assure this House that our forces are fully committed to safeguard our territorial integrity, and are always ready to prevent any attempt against it," he said.
The chinese side was asked to refrain from such actions and maintain peace and tranquillity along the border. The issue has also been taken up with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels, Singh said. "I am confident that this entire House will stand united in supporting our soldiers in their brave effort," he said.
Seeking an explanation from the defence minister over the Tawang incident, various opposition members created an uproar in Lok Sabha, alleging that they were not being allowed to speak. They later walked out of the House. The opposition members included those from Congress, NCP, DMK and AIADMK. (PTI)
China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs announced on Wednesday (December 29) that it had “standardised” the names of 15 places in Arunachal Pradesh, acting in accordance with regulations on geographical names issued by the State Council, the equivalent of the Chinese Cabinet.
The Ministry of External Affairs has dismissed the Chinese “invention”. In a statement, the official spokesperson of the ministry said, “Arunachal Pradesh has always been, and will always be, an integral part of India. Assigning invented names to places in Arunachal Pradesh does not alter this fact.” Read more
The Opposition leaders staged a walkout soon after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh concluded his statement on the Tawang faceoff incident, in Lok Sabha. (ANI)
While addressing the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said: "Due to the timely intervention of the Indian military commander, PLA soldiers were forced to retreat. The area's local commander on December 11 held a flag meeeting with his Chinese counterpart over the incident. The Chinese side was warned against such actions and told to maintain peace. The issue has been raised to a diplomatic level as well. I assure the House, that our Army is capable of defending the territorial integrity of the country. Our Army is ready to tackle any trangression. I firmly believe that the House will support the bravery and courage of our armed forces."
"In this face-off, few soldiers on both sides suffered injuries. I'd like to tell this House that none of our soldiers died or suffered any serious injury. Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers have retreated to their own locations," the Defence Minister added.
"This matter has also been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. I want to assure the House that our forces are committed to guard our borders and ready to thwart any attempt that will be made to challenge it," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Lok Sabha. (ANI)
"Our troops tackled this attempt in a determined manner. There was physical combat in this face-off. Our troops bravely stopped the PLA from the incursion, and forced to return to their posts. In this fight, soldiers of both sides were injured. I want to assure the House, that no Indian soldier was killed or severly injured," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Parliament.
"On Dec 9 in Yangtse area of Tawang sector PLA troops encroached upon & attempted to change status quo.This attempt was tackled by our troops in a determined manner. Our troops bravely stopped PLA from encroaching upon our territory&forced them to go back to their post," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Parliament. (ANI)
Amid protests in Parliament over the India-China face-off in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday alleged that Congress raised border issue in Parliament to avoid the question on Rajiv Gandhi Foundation's FCRA cancellation. (PTI)
Following protests in the Parliament over the India-China face-off in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday said: "I saw the question hour list and after seeing question number 5, I understood the anxiety (of Congress). The question was regarding the cancellation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF). If they would have allowed I would have given an answer in Parliament that Rajiv Gandhi Foundation received a grant of Rs 1.35 crore from the Chinese Embassy during 2005-2007, which was not appropriate as per FCRA. So as per the rules, Home Ministry cancelled its registration."
Amid protests in Parliament over the India-China face-off in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday said: "Today in Lok Sabha, the Opposition did not allow Question Hour to run. I condemn this act. Parliamentary Affairs Minister clearly said that the Defence Minister will make a statement on the matter." (ANI)
Raising the issue of India-China face-off in Tawang in the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge lashed out at the central government accusing it of remaining a mute spectator to Chinese transgressions and alleged construction of permanent structures by China, The Indian Express' Manoj C G reported.
“Our national security and territorial integrity is being impinged upon by brazen Chinese transgressions as the government remains a mute spectator,” Kharge said.
Though Leader of the House Piyush Goyal said that the Defence Minister would make a statement on the issue, Opposition members Derek O’Brien and P Chidambaram asked whether it would be followed by a discussion. With no assurance forthcoming, Opposition members raised slogans and stormed the Well prompting Deputy Chairman Harivansh to adjourn the House for an hour.
“The valour of our Armed Forces in Galwan Valley, Ladakh, is well known. But China has brazenly transgressed into our territory since April 2020. The illegal and unprovoked Chinese transgressions up to the Y-junction in Depsang Plains continue to date. Similar is the state of Chinese transgressions into Gogra and Hot Springs area in Eastern Ladakh. Not only this, the Chinese have build-up next to the Pangong Tso Lake area, including a building of the PLA’s divisional headquarters,” Kharge said.
Kharge alleged that the government is also oblivious to the Chinese construction of a “new radome and two high-frequency microwave towers and other ongoing construction in the area.”
“Construction of the Pangong Tso bridge along with decks on both sides facilitating easy movements of Chinese troupes has also been brushed aside. Despite the demand to ensure the status quo ante as of April 2020, China has refused to vacate our territory and has been deliberately taking shelter behind the statement of our Prime Minister dated 20th June 2020, saying that no one has entered our territory. Even the ongoing talks with the Chinese for a pushback from our territory have come to a standstill and no new date is stated to have been fixed,” he said.
He said the “news of an unprovoked attempt of incursions into our territory in Tawang sector across the LAC by the Chinese raises more concerns” given that backdrop.
Though the central government Tuesday informed the Rajya Sabha that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh would make a statement in the House on the clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Tawang, the Opposition pushed for a discussion on the matter, resulting in noisy scenes and adjournment of the House for an hour.
Troops came to blows on December 9, beating each other up with sticks and canes. Both sides suffered "minor injuries".
Lok Sabha proceedings adjourned till 12 noon following opposition protests over the issue of clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in Tawang of Arunachal Pradesh.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal Tuesday requested Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to allow Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to make a statement in the House at 12.30 pm, instead of 2 pm. "Looking at the gravity of the situation and the request made by the Opposition, I urge the Chair to allow the Defence Minister to make a statement at 12.30 pm instead of 2 pm," he said in the House.
While addressing the House on Tuesday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said: "We solemnly remember the cowardly attack on our Parliament on December 13. We also remember the valour of the alert security personnel who foiled the attack on this symbol of democracy. We remember the supreme sacrifice made by the security personnel," news agency ANI reported.
Senior Congress leader V Hanumanth Rao has slammed the PM Narendra Modi-BJP government and criticised the prime minister for his statement that country's financial crisis is due to poll promises made by parties, reminding the PM that he has not delivered on jobs, black money or given Andhra Pradesh the promised special status. Rao also adcised his own party to strengthen its house to fight all the new parties.
"We have to identify the workers and bring them forward. Pavan Kalyan is trying to kick off a party on one side and Sharmila on the other side. The Congress has to strengthen the house to fight them," said Rao. (ANI)
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi Tuesday claimed that China had raised the strength of its troops across Arunachal Pradesh by 75 per cent in August 2022, just before the Communist Party Congress which eventually reelected Xi Jinping for another 5 years.
"This was exactly what China did in Doklam in 2017 and Ladakh in April 2020. Why did we not increase our strength in Arunachal Pradesh? Because, I am told we were 'hoping' this was temporary and the Chinese would go back to original strength," Owaisi tweeted.
The Parliamentarian further said: "China has learnt from experiences at Doklam, Depsang, Galwan and Demchok that @PMOIndia will never accept this invasion and use his friendly media to spin a different story. Therefore, China continues to invade, bit by bit without making any noise."
Demanding that the central government make a statement on the India-China face-off in Tawang, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Tuesday said: "It has been going on. China has encroached upon our land. From Ladakh and Uttarakhand, they have reached Arunachal. We have the right to know the government's preparation to tackle China's conspiracy." (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make a statement in both houses of Parliament Tuesday on the clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, government sources said.
The minister will make a statement on the issue in the Lok Sabha likely at 12 noon and in the Rajya Sabha around 2 pm, the sources said.
Indian and Chinese troops clashed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9 and the face-off resulted in "minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides", the Indian Army said on Monday. The clash near Yangtse along the LAC in the sensitive sector took place last Friday amid the over 30-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh. (PTI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make a statement, likely on the India-China face-off, in Lok Sabha at 12 pm and in Rajya Sabha at 2 pm on Tuesday.
The clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh is set to rock Parliament on Tuesday with several Congress MPs demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the situation at the border.
The Congress MPs have given adjournment notices in both houses of Parliament to discuss the border situation with China.
While Manish Tewari has given a notice in the lower house, Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala and Syed Nasir Hussain have given similar adjournment notices in the upper house. (PTI)
Observing that the law and order situation is worsening day by day, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Monday demanded a discussion on internal security, during the Zero Hour in Lok Sabha.
“I demand that in view of the deteriorating law and order situation, there needs to be a discussion on internal security in the House,” Chowdhury said.
“This government itself has accepted in the UNSC that after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, terror camps have increased. Earlier, the number was 150, now it is 225,” said the Berhampur MP. He said that since the abrogation of Article 370, there have been 116 killings. Read more
The Congress MP from Malkajgiri in Telangana, Revanth Reddy, irked the treasury benches during Question Hour on Monday by citing the “Rupee is in ICU” comment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure as CM of Gujarat.
Reddy tells The Indian Express that the BJP cannot blame the Congress-led UPA government for its own “inefficiency” in managing the economy. Read Liz Mathew's full interview with Revanth Reddy here
Vacancies for teaching staff are directly proportional to the level of seniority in central universities, with unfilled posts of professors vastly outnumbering those of assistant or associate professors, analysis of data shared by the Education Ministry in the Lok Sabha on Monday shows.
A comparative analysis of the data also shows the trend is starker when it comes to positions reserved for candidates from the SC, ST, OBC communities — even in prestigious institutes such as IIMs.
The ministry data came in response to a question by MPs A M Ariff (of CPM) and D Ravikumar (of DMK). Read more
During the Parliament winter sessions, the government informed the House on Monday that there were 174 Chinese companies registered in the country as foreign companies having a place of business in India with the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA).
The government also said as per the CDM database, there are 3,560 companies in India which have Chinese directors. However, the government mentioned that it was not possible to give the number of companies having Chinese investors or shareholders as the data is not separately maintained in the MCA system.
Upon a query about whether the government has taken or proposes to take some steps to stop the stakes of Chinese companies in domestic companies, it said it amended certain rules and forms prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013, to regulate the incorporation of companies, the appointment of directors, issuance and transfer of securities and undertaking compromise, arrangements and amalgamation in cases where Land Border Countries Entities (LBCEs) are involved. (ANI)
Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said after a visit to the Delhi airport that the number of lines for the security process has been increased from 13 to 16. "We are also trying to add a few more lines, taking it close to 20 lines," he told reporters on the fourth day of the Parliament's Winter Session.
"We've increased the number of entry gates from 14 to 16. There was a meeting with officials inside the airport where we've decided that a board should be placed at every entry gate to display the waiting time before entry," Scindia said.
V Vijaysai Reddy (YSRCP) demanded a ban on instant loan mobile apps as they not just trigger a cycle of blackmail and exhortation but also violate privacy by gaining access to sensitive personal information on mobile phones.
The majority of such apps, he said in the Rajya Sabha, were operating out of China and the government must crack down on them. In case of a delay or default in repayments, the borrower ends up paying much more than he or she signed for, he said.
Such apps should be banned, their developers and promoters punished and strict laws around the privacy of phone data are formulated, he said.
Replying to Congress’ Anumula Revant Reddy's query on the Centre’s efforts to improve the value of the Indian Rupee, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the entire economy was in the ICU when they the current Opposition was in power.
“India is now the fastest-growing economy despite the pandemic and Ukraine-Russia war. The Opposition is jealous when they should be proud. They should be ashamed,” the minister said.
BJP MP Pabitra Margherita said that tea should be made the national drink of the country.
He demanded that the economic rights of tea workers to be protected. Later, DMK MP M Shanmugam also raises a tea-related issue, asking for minimum support price (MSP) for tea and that pay for tea workers should be fixed.
The Centre has released 46,000 vacancies under the Agnipath scheme, MoS (Defence) Ajay Bhatt said. “40,000 vacancies have been released for the Army, 3,000 for the Navy, and 3,000 for the Indian Air Force.
Over 10.68 crore families have been provided with tap water connections in the country, Prahlad Patel, MoS (Jal Shakti), informed the Rajya Sabha.
Results of Jal Jeevan Mission scheme are visible now, and coverage of tap water connection increased from 16.72 percent to 55.24 percent in last three years, he said.
Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy told Parliament that his ministry has sought the Home Ministry's support to take up with state governments the matter of tourist police deployment at key tourism centres.
Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha, he said the safety and security of tourists is essentially a state government subject. "However, the Ministry of Tourism is well aware of the security concern of the tourists and has taken all possible measures to provide a safe and secure atmosphere for the tourists... Ministry of Tourism has been seeking support of the Ministry of Home Affairs for taking up the matter with the state governments," he said in a written reply.