Parliament Winter Session 2023 Highlights: Sad day for democracy, says Mamata Banerjee as Mahua Moitra is expelled from Lok Sabha

On the first day of the Parliament’s Winter Session on Monday (December 4) the Advocates Amendment Bill, 2023, was passed in the Lok Sabha. Introduced in the Rajya Sabha’s Monsoon Session on August 1, the Bill was passed by the House two days later. Aimed at weeding out ‘touts’ from the legal system, the Bill repeals the Legal Practitioners Act, 1879, and amends the Advocates Act, 1961, to reduce “the number of superfluous enactments in the statute book” and repeal all “obsolete laws”.

Replying to a question on the Bill, Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Legal Practitioners Act was a colonial-era Act without any utility, adding that 1,486 such laws have been done away with since 2014. Read more here

Speaking on TMC MP Mahua Moitra's expulsion from Lok Sabha, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said that the Bharatiya Janata Party was afraid of strong women. Shrinate further said that whoever talked about Adani had no place in the parliament. 'If anyone talks about the relations between Adani and Modi, action will be taken against them,' Shrinate said. (ANI)

As many as 284 gram nyayalayas (rural courts) are functional across the country out of 479 notified by different states, according to data shared by the government in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The Gram Nyayalayas Act was enacted in 2008 to provide access to justice to citizen at their doorstep.

According to the law, it is not mandatory for states to set up such court, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said in a written reply to a question. Citing the law, he said the state governments are responsible for establishing gram nyayalayas in consultation with the respective high courts. (PTI)

Reacting to TMC MP Mahua Moitra's expulsion from Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha MP and AAP leader Sandeep Pathak said that she had been targeted and charges had been framed against her to secure her expulsion. Pathak added that the way in which the expulsion process and the committee proceedings had unfolded was suspicious. (PTI inputs)

Janata Dal (United) MP Giridhari Yadav on Friday said he does not upload questions on the Lok Sabha's website himself as he does not know how to operate a computer, as the Lower House decided to expel Trinamool Congress (TMC) member Mahua Moitra over the allegation that she shared her log-in credentials with outsiders and took a bribe for asking questions.

Yadav, who is a member of the Lok Sabha's ethics panel and was among the opposition MPs who staged a walkout from the committee meeting alleging that Moitra was asked personal and irrelevant questions, took a jibe at the ruling dispensation and questioned why BJP MP Nishikant Dubey was called for questioning while businessman Darshan Hiranandani was not. (PTI)

Reacting to Mahua Moitra's expulsion from Lok Sabha, Congress leader Karti Chidambaram called the Ethics Committee report "contradictory", saying it goes against the principles of natural justice and evidence. Karti said that Moitra's conduct has been called "criminal" in the first point, while the second point goes on to suggest an inquiry on it. "After finding somebody criminal, why are you asking for an inquiry. This recommendation itself is contradictory," Karti said.

Calling party MP Mahua Moitra's expulsion a complete violation of constitutional rights, Trinamool Congress leader Shashi Panja said that Moitra had been "humiliated, demeaned and not given a chance to speak" on the floor of the house and before the ethics panel. Panja said that Mahua was a victim of an "opaque" process which "reeks of political vendetta". (PTI inputs)

Reacting to Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra's expulsion from Lok Sabha, party president and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she strongly condemned it. ' Mahua is a victim of the circumstances. I strongly condemn this and the party completely stands with Mahua,' Mamata said. She further congratulated the INDIA alliance for being united, adding that the bloc would fight back against the expulsion. (PTI inputs)

Alleging that one of the two complainants in the cash-for-query inquiry was her estranged partner who had mala fide intention, TMC MP Mahua Moitra said that he had "masqueraded as a common citizen before the ethics panel". Moitra added that the findings in the report tabled by the ethics committee was based on the testimonies of just two persons, whose versions contradicted each other in material terms. (PTI inputs)

Speaking on the cash-for-query allegations, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra said that there was no evidence of "cash or gift", adding that the ethics panel report had punished her without getting to the root of the issue. (PTI)

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra said that the 17th Lok Sabha had been historic, witnessing the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill. "But it has presided over the most tenacious witch-hunt of one of 78 women MPs," Moitra added. Speaking after her expulsion from the Lok Sabha, she said that the ethics panel, set up to serve as a moral compass for the members of the house, had been abused to do what it was never meant to be doing. "This Lok Sabha has also seen the weaponisation of a Parliamentary committee," Moitra said. (PTI inputs)

Speaking after her expulsion from the Lok Sabha, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua moitra said that the Lok Sabha ethics panel report was a 'weapon to force us into submission'. Moitra also said that the report had broken every rule in the book, adding that the entire case against her was based on the sharing of login details, with no rules governing that aspect, news agency PTI reported. 

Lok Sabha porceedings were adjourned for the day after the expulsion of Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on account of 'unethical conduct'. Before the motion proposed by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi was voted on, the opposition staged a walkout. Earlier, Moitra had also left the house after being disallowed to speak on the matter, with the speaker saying that she had been provided an opportunity at the panel meet. 

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee, while speaking in the Lok Sabha, said that the House does not have the power to remove Mahua Moitra as its member. Earlier, the Lok Sabha speaker had not permitted Moitra to speak on the matter, saying she had been provided with an opportunity to speak at the panel meet.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said, "The right of cross-examination is meaningful. Mahua Moitra has a right to cross-examine. This is a violation of principles of natural justice. Principles of natural justice are implicit in Article 14 of the Constitution."

Parliament Winter Session 2023 Live Updates:

Addressing the Lok Sabha, TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay said, "I request you (LS Speaker) with folded hands to allow Mahua Moitra to speak before voting takes place. This is very important."

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, BJP MP Heena V Gavit said, "Due to the actions of one individual, Indian MPs are now perceived negatively globally. It is important that we adhere to parliamentary procedures."

Parliament Winter Session 2023 Live Updates: 

In an address to the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Manish Tewari stated, "According to 105(2), statements made within the house are granted immunity. Are we supposed to disregard the constitution?"

Congress MP Manish Tiwari said today that "we are convening not merely as parliamentarians but as a jury." This statement follows the presentation of a report by the Ethics Committee, which recommends for the expulsion of TMC MP Mahua Moitra in connection with a "cash-for-query" case.

In seeking an extension for the deliberation on the Ethics Panel's Report concerning Mahua Moitra, MP Manish Tiwari emphasised the significance of allowing three to four days. 

"Heavens would not have fallen if we were given three-four days so that we could present our views in a proper manner," he said.

Highlighting the importance of the discourse, Tiwari underlined its connection to principles of natural justice. He raised a question: can the procedures of the ethics committee take precedence over the fundamental principles of natural justice?

Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, citing the length of the Ethics Committee Report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra,  requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to allow MPs sufficient time to delve into the contents of the report.

Stating that 'it is not humanly possible to read the whole report in two hours,' he emphasised the importance of discussion in a democracy.

Proceedings begin in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, citing the length of the Ethics Committee Report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra, has requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to allow MPs sufficient time to delve into the contents of the report. In a formal request, he proposed a timeframe of 3 to 4 days, providing Members with the opportunity for a thorough study before engaging in a meaningful discussion. The report comprises 104 pages along with numerous annexures and documents.

The BJP has given a whip to its MPs in the Lok Sabha to be present in the house in the afternoon.

Following the tabling of the Ethics Committee's report on Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra in the Lok Sabha today, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Danish Ali demanded additional deliberation on the matter. He raised concerns about the integrity of the process, claiming that crucial aspects of the investigation were left incomplete.

"...We are demanding a discussion on the report because the discussions were incomplete even at the Ethics Committee. Deposition of the one against whom allegations have been made was not complete. The kind of questions that were asked of her were such that five members of the committee walked out. After that walkout, the adoption report was put forth and it was adopted within 2.30 minutes. Having a majority doesn't mean that you will do whatever you want..," Ali said. 

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar Friday said the time of the post-lunch session of the House has been changed to 2 pm from 2.30 pm earlier in line with the Lok Sabha schedule.

After the listed papers were tabled in the Rajya Sabha in the morning session, Tiruchi Siva of the DMK pointed out the change of time printed on the business schedule of the day and wanted to know the reason.

"The convention is that on Friday the afternoon session convenes at 2.30 pm. But today in the revised list of business, we have received it as 2 pm. When such a decision was arrived at, the members were not aware. We would like to know why there was such a change," Siva remarked.

To this, the chairman said the time was changed by him during the last session itself as the afternoon session in the Lok Sabha starts at 2 pm.

"This is not being done for today. This has already been done earlier by me. And the reason was given. Lok Sabha sits at 2 pm. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha being integral parts of Parliament need to adhere to the same time to the extent possible. Therefore it was 2 pm on earlier occasion as directed by me. So this is not a beginning today," Dhankhar said. (PTI) 

On Friday, the Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha presented its findings in the lower house, recommending the expulsion of TMC MP Mahua Moitra in connection with the "cash-for-query" accusation. The committee's chairman, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, presented the report as the House resumed its session at noon following an adjournment during the Question Hour.

The House panel is probing BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s allegations that Moitra accepted bribes and favours for asking questions in the Lok Sabha at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani. In a letter to the ethics panel, Mahua — who has rejected the allegations — had asked for permission to cross-examine the alleged ‘bribe giver’ Hiranandani and the complainant, Advocate Jai Dehadrai.

In an affidavit to the Ethics Committee on October 19, Hiranandani claimed that Moitra provided him her Parliament login ID and password so that he could “post questions” directly “on her behalf when required”.

Check out the full report here:

Ethics Committee Report by Express Web on Scribd

Rajya Sabha has been adjourned. It will reconvene at 2pm. 

?The Lok Sabha's Ethics Committee on Friday submitted its report in the lower house recommending the expulsion of Trinamool Congress member Mahua Moitra over the "cash-for-query" allegation.

? Ethics Committee Chairman Vinod Kumar Sonkar tabled the panel's first report when the House re-convened at noon after an adjournment during the Question Hour.

? Trinamool Congress members and some from the Congress trooped in the Well of the House raising slogans demanding a copy of the report.

? Trinamool Congress member Kalyan Banerjee demanded a discussion on the report before its recommendations are put to vote, which would lead to the expulsion of Moitra from the House.

? Amid uproar, BJP member Rajendra Agrawal, who was in the chair, adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm. (PTI)

Following the tabling of the Ethics Committee report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra in Lok Sabha, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has expressed strong reservations about the process, calling it "incredibly inadequate." 

He highlighted the speed at which the report was allegedly adopted, claiming it took a mere two and a half minutes, according to information from one of the committee members.

"There has been no proper procedure followed, no attempt to cross-examine those who have made accusations and at the same time the conclusion of such a major punishment as expulsion of a Member - to arrive that without serious consideration is truly disgraceful. Opposition, all the INDIA Alliance parties are completely convinced that this is a travesty of justice, it would set a very undesirable precedent for the future...All of this suggests to us a political vendetta and not a judicially sustainable process. It is most unfortunate that Parliament is being reduced to such a  performance of political vendetta...," he said.

Trinamool Congress leader in Lok Sabha Sudip Bandyopadhyay Friday described the Ethics Committee's recommendation to expel party MP Mahua Moitra in a "cash-for-query" allegation as "political vendetta" and claimed that it was aimed at stopping her from raising issues against the Adani Group.

Bandyopadhyay said he had a one-on-one meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who informed him that the report would be tabled along with a resolution.

He told the Speaker that Moitra should be given time to make her speech on the floor of the house to which Birla replied that half an hour would be given for discussion on the matter.

Bandyopadhyay asked why was the MP who alleged that Moitra was paid cash for asking questions not called to the Ethics Committee meeting.

"The first meeting (of the ethics panel) ended in a short time and could not produce any result. Why was a second meeting not held? Why such a hurry?" he posed. (PTI) 

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm amid ruckus in the House soon after the Ethics Committee report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra was tabled.

Proceedings begin in Lok Sabha

CPI MP Binoy Viswam criticised the Ethics Committee's report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Friday, labeling it as politically motivated and an apparent vendetta against a vocal government critic.

"It is politically motivated and seems like an absolute vendetta against the critic of the government. This is not the way the ethics committee should act," he said.

A report of the Ethics Committee which recommended the expulsion of TMC MP Mahua Moitra in a “cash-for-query” case is listed for tabling in the Lok Sabha on Friday. Lok Sabha Ethics Committee member Aparajita Sarangi, the parliamentarian representing Bhubaneswar, is scheduled to table the report. The report was earlier listed in the agenda of the Lower House for December 4 but was not tabled.  The tabling of the report could lead to stormy scenes in the House.

Last week, at the customary all-party meeting convened by the government, TMC leaders demanded a discussion on the report before any decision is taken to expel Moitra from the House.

As Ethics Panel report on her is to be tabled in Lok Sabha today, Mahua Moitra says, "Maa Durga aa gayi hai, ab dekhenge...Jab naash manuj par chhata hai, pehle vivek mar jaata hai. They have started 'vastraharan' and now you will watch 'Mahabharat ka rann'."

The Lok Sabha has been adjourned until 12 noon as the opposition sought to address concerns related to the ethics committee report on cash-for-query charges against TMC MP Mahua Moitra, scheduled for discussion today.

Minutes after the proceedings of the Lok Sabha commenced, the house has been adjourned till noon.

Proceedings begin in Lok Sabha

Proceedings begin in Rajya Sabha

"We will see," says TMC MP Mahua Moitra on the ethics panel report in the 'cash for query' case which is to be placed in Lok Sabha today.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra has reached the Parliament ahead of the tabling of the Ethics panel report, which recommended her expulsion of in connection with “cash-for-query” case.

"Maa Durga aa gayi hai, ab dekhenge...Jab naash manuj par chhata hai, pehle vivek mar jaata hai. They have started 'vastraharan' and now you will watch 'Mahabharat ka rann'," she was quoted as saying by ANI.

During the Question Hour on the 4th day of the Winter Session of Parliament, Members of Parliament in both houses raised several important questions concerning public interest schemes.

What were those questions? Check them out here:

Congress MP Manish Tewari has submitted an Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha and has demanded discussion on the death penalty to eight ex-Indian Navy personnel in Qatar.

MP Ram Chander Jangra and Congress MP Jebi Mather Hisam to lay on the table today, a copy (in English and Hindi) of the twentieth report on action taken by the government on the recommendations and observations contained in the seventeenth report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs (2022-23) on ‘Evaluation of Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)’, ANI reported.

BJP MP Zara Keshri Devi Singh and Congress MP Rajani Ashokrao Patil are to present three hundred sixtieth, three hundred sixty-first, three hundred sixty-second and three hundred sixty-third reports (English and Hindi) of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture in the Rajya Sabha today, news agency ANI reported.

Gaurav Gogoi, a Member of Parliament from the Congress party, has submitted a notice for an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha. The purpose is to address the ongoing air quality crisis in Delhi.

Lok Sabha Ethics Committee member Aparajita Sarangi, the parliamentarian representing Bhubaneswar, is scheduled to table the report recommending the expulsion of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra.

The report was earlier listed in the agenda of the Lower House for December 4 but was not tabled. Last week, at the customary all-party meeting convened by the government, TMC leaders demanded a discussion on the report before any decision is taken to expel Moitra from the House. The tabling of the report could lead to stormy scenes in the House.

“If the report is tabled, we will insist on a full-fledged discussion as the draft was adopted in two-and-a-half minutes,” PTI quoted BSP MP Danish Ali, one of the panel’s members who opposed the report’s recommendation, as saying.

Amid jibes by Opposition MPs on the University Grants Commission (UGC) recent letter to colleges to set up selfie points for photographs with the Prime Minister, Lok Sabha on Thursday passed a bill to establish the Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Telangana. The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was passed by a voice vote with the House rejecting amendments moved by Opposition members. 

The bill was passed after a reply to the debate by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. It amends Central Universities Act, 2009, and the new Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University will be set up in Mulugu district in Telangana, as cleared by the Union Cabinet a few months ago. The Centre has made provision of Rs 889.7 crore for the university. 

Pradhan said that the university will cater to the regional aspirations for years to come, and facilitate and promote higher education and research facilities for the people of the state. It will also promote advanced knowledge by providing instructional and research facilities in tribal art, culture and customs and advancement in technology to the tribal population of India. 

The government on Thursday said 403 Indian students have died abroad since 2018 due to various reasons including natural causes, accidents and medical conditions, with Canada accounting for the highest 91 fatalities among 34 nations.

In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said that according to the information available with the ministry, 403 incidents of death of Indian students abroad have been reported since 2018.

He said the heads of mission/post and senior officials visit universities and educational institutions for regular interactions with Indian students and their associations. Read More

A day after social media posts, including by Congress leaders and supporters, criticised him for bowing and greeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an event, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday said bowing to say “namaskar” was a habit of his, irrespective of who was in front of him. 

When the Rajya Sabha convened for the day on Thursday morning, Dhankhar entered the House and greeted MPs by bowing and folding his hands, as he does usually. He then quipped that these days he had to keep an eye on how much to bow and whom to bow in front of, as someone may put the visuals on social media and question the strength of his spine. 

“Jhukna aur namaskar karna meri aadat hai. Yeh nahi dekhta saamne kaun hai. [Bowing and saying namaskar is my habit. I don’t see who is in front of me],” he said. 

The proposed Bill advocating the reservation of Assembly seats for Kashmiri Pandits on a nomination basis through the office of the lieutenant governor has sparked contentious debates. While ostensibly aimed at safeguarding the political rights of a community in exile since 1990, this legislative move is being criticised for its potential to undermine rather than empower the Kashmiri Pandits politically. The Bill raises ethical implications and questions about its alignment with fundamental constitutional values. Rather than fostering true empowerment, it risks perpetuating a façade of inclusion while failing to bridge the chasm created by the traumatic events of 1990.

Kashmiri Pandits have endured an extensive exile since 1990, marked by a forced departure from their homeland, leaving behind a rich cultural heritage and centuries-old roots. The need to safeguard their rights is unquestionable. But this imperative must go beyond token representation. The harrowing events of 1990 fractured the social fabric, creating rifts that demand careful healing through genuine, inclusive political measures. The proposed Bill, however, introduces concerns about achieving this delicate balance between preserving political rights and fostering reconciliation. Read this Opinion

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman further said that in a major sign of economic growth, direct tax collection grew 21.82 per cent this year and the monthly GST collections were stabilised at Rs 1.6 lakh crore.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha during the Winter Session of the Parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman said the manufacturing sector has contributed significantly to economy on the back of various measures like PLI schemes.

She added that India is the second most sought after manufacturing destination in world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted with the thumping of desks and slogans by treasury benches as he entered the Rajya Sabha during the Question Hour on Thursday. He attends the Question Hour proceedings every Thursday, the day when queries related to the departments he handles are listed.

This is the first time he entered the Rajya Sabha during the winter session of Parliament that started on December 4.

Soon after the prime minister entered the upper house, members of the BJP greeted him by clapping and thumping their desks. Some members also started raising slogans like "BJP guarantee, Modi guarantee" and "Teesri baar, Modi Sarkar" as he assumed his seat next to the Leader of the House Piyush Goyal.

Amid allegations of India 'plotting to kill' Khalistani separatists on foreign soil, Union Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar Thursday said the government is probing the US's allegation after the country shared certain inputs with them as part of the security cooperation between the two. However, Canada did not provide any input, and hence, 'the question of equitable treatment to two countries one of whom has provided inputs and one of whom has not, does not arise', Jaishankar said.

The Oppositions raise slogans against the Central government as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Rajya Sabha.

In Rajya Sabha, Congress MP from Chhattisgarh Ranjeet Ranjan criticises "justification of violence" in films like Animal, Kabir Singh and expresses concerns over their impact on youths.