Parliament Winter Session Highlights : ‘VP behaves like govt’s spokesperson,’ says Kharge as Dhankhar faces no-trust notice

Some MPs have created a narrative that this Bill will lead to privatisation of Railways and its fake, says Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Railway Minister says, "Its meant to simplify the legal structure of the Bill. There is no concern of centralisation with this law. In the last 10 years, there has been de-centralisation. Now, GM holds the power to approve a tender." The Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024 is taken up for consideration and passing.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi met Lok Sabha Speaker and urged to expunge the remarks made against him. Gandhi told ANI, "I held a meeting with the Speaker. I told him that derogatory comments against me should be expunged. The Speaker said that he would look into it...Our aim is that the House must run and discussion should happen in the House. No matter what they say about me, we want that there should be a debate on 13th December...They don't want a discussion on Adani. In the end, we will not leave this. They will keep levelling allegations on us but the House must function."

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm after Opposition MPs create ruckus over the conflict in Manipur, Adani row. The Opposition MPs also said that the Centre is using George Soros row as a defiance.

The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in a post on X remarked about the condition of Public Sector Banks. Slamming the NDA-led government, Gandhi said the Modi government has turned the lifelines of the masses into private entities for the rich. He urged the Centre to "stop using PSBs as an unlimited source of funds for their fraudulent friends."

Gandhi's post read, "Public Sector Banks were designed to give every Indian access to credit. The Modi government has turned these lifelines of the masses into private financiers for only the rich and powerful corporations.

I met with a delegation from the All India Banking Officers Confederation, who expressed their distress at the state of our public sector banks and the impact of it on common people.

- Public Sector Banks are being forced to prioritise profit over people and are thus unable to serve the public effectively

- With staff shortages and a toxic work environment, they are expected to reach unachievable targets without a level playing field

- Women employees are not given equal opportunity or advancement and forced to bear the brunt of dissatisfied public

Modi govt must stop using PSBs as an unlimited source of funds for their fraudulent friends. There’s also more to a public sector bank than a dividend cheque to the govt at the end of the year."

Rajya Sabha proceedings have resumed and Opposition MPs are creating ruckus. Union Minister JP Nadda has slammed the Congress party over the alleged link of US hedge fund tycoon George Soros and Sonia Gandhi. Meanwhile, Opposition MPs continued sloganeering.

It was not only Union Minister Rajnath Singh who was greeted with national flag and a red rose, but also several other BJP MPs. The Opposition MPs have urged the BJP MPs to ensure that the House functions and all issues including the Adani row is discussed.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, MPs from the Congress, DMK, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Left parties, among others, stood in front of the Makar Dwar steps with most of them carrying a small tricolour card and a red rose.

The MPs said they want to present this to their BJP counterparts and urge them to ensure that the House functions and all issues ,including the Adani matter, is discussed. Many MPs also carried placards with slogans 'Don't let the country be sold'.

With PTI inputs

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, while addressing the Upper House vehemently slammed the Opposition over their notice against Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. Rijiju said, "..A farmer's son has become the VP. Since the beginning, we have seen that they do not consider the Constitution... We have promised that we will protect the sovereignty of the nation. If you attack the pride of the VP, we will not let that happen. Sonia Gandhi's link with Soros is emerging. You should be ashamed. You are allied to anti-nationals."

Parliamentary proceedings have begun and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is speaking on skill development in the country.

Hello and welcome to Parliament Winter Session Day 13 LIVE blog! Its likely to be a stormy session in Parliament today after the Opposition MPs gave notice against Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar accusing him of "partisan" conduct in Rajya Sabha. Stay tuned for latest updates.