Parliament HIGHLIGHTS: Ravi Shankar Prasad accuses Oppn of ‘double standards’ on EVM issue

Speaking on the EVM issue, Prasad says that all the high courts in the country said that the EVM is a safe and secured technology system which is giving good result. In the EVM system there are two issues, malfunctioning and hacking. We received seven complaints in the EVM process and all seven voted again. 

"The poor have made our government," says Prasad. Prasad says in the EVM system, ballot stamping does not happen. "In the past whoever have opposed the EVM, they have lost, North or South India," Prasad says.

Refuting Kapil Sibal's allegation that social media platforms were used by the BJP in the recent Lok Sabha elections, Ravi Shankar Prasad says, "We shall never allow the misuse of Indian data by foreign powers or foreign companies." He added that the Centre will be introducing the Data Protection law.

"Kapil Sibal has also become the Rajya Sabha member through the EVMs," Prasad says.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad says the leaders of the country at the time of making the Constitution said that each man will decide which party should run the country, inviting an applaud from the members.

"Each voter today knows, that through their vote they can change the government and the minister. Female voters turnout was the highest in this election," Prasad says. 

Prasad pointed out the "double standard" of the Opposition on the EVM issue. "Why should security of the nation not be an issue during elections," asks Prasad. Taking an apparent hit at the Congress, Prasad said parties in their manifesto mention that the sedition law should be scrapped, the people of the country then have the right to decide who would protect the country.

BJP Vinay P Sahasrabuddha says people of the country believe in the EVM machines. "People are only influenced by the recent election, we should rise aboce and take a broader view," he said. He also raised a question on the high number of political parties. The idea behind simultaneous elections is to save our resources, time, expenditure, he said. "We have to take care of party building. Look at the simulataneous elections in unpredujiced manner," BJP leader says. 

INC Rajeev Gowda says, every candidate spends much more than actually allowed. The state funding should be created.

AAP Sanjay Singh says we are not against the technology, but if all progressive countries are conductinjg their elections throught the ballot papaer, why are we using this process. "The centre should be held accountable for this," says Singh.

Ramdas Athawale says, "One nation, one election, Narendra Modi is our selection." To save the expenditure and time of the government, I request the Congress to support the process of the polls. Why are you after the EVMs, come after us," says Athawale.

NPF KG Kenya says we should take a review and revert with a system which is trusted by the country. The voters does not trust an apparatus, human touch is the best.

TDP Kankamedala Ravinder Kumar says with regard to the EVMs the solution is original ballot system.

CPI D Raja says we should agree to that the Collegium should apppoint election commissioners. Simulataneous polls are unconstitutional. We should think of having proporational representation system, with candiate and party lists as a mixed system.

BSP Satish Chandra Misra says elections should not be conducted through the EVMs. Ballot system should be brought back.

BJD leader Prasanna Acharya says holding free and fair elections is essential to democracy. Regarding criminalisation of politics, he says half of the elected Lok Sabha members have criminal charges against them. Kapil Sibal too mentioned the issue in his speech. Acharya says, "It is the responsibility of the politcal parties to not elect such people."

Further, he spoke on the spending during the Lok Sabha elections and EVMs.

The Election Commission is part of the problem. Sibal quoted EC's advisory which was issued in March prior to the Lok Sabha elections curbing the politicisation of the Indian Army in the polls. Sibal pointed out how votes were gathered in the name of Indian soldiers. "EC was sleeping during LS polls," says Sibal, invites uproar from BJP.

Speaking on the mdeia's role during the recent Lok Sabha elections, Kapil Sibal says, "Both BJP and our PM, enjoyed complete media hedgemoney. Every media platform was flooded with PM's picture and his slogans. This is the first PM in 70 years, who knows where the camera is. If the media excerised self-censorship, nobody would interfere. Media buried the biggest scandals, and the fake, frivolous and frothy news including love jihad got more air time. They got more time than the protest of farmers."

Taking a hit on BJP, INC Kapil Sibal questioned the source of the money spent on the recent Lok Sabha elections. "We should investigate if the source was black or white money," Sibal suggested. He pointed out that prior to the elctions, the Finance Act was amended to find the source of the money. 

INC leader Kapil Sibal criticises the massive spending during the recent Lok Sabha elections 2019. He cited the a private agency's report and said over Rs 70,000 crore were spent during the elctions. "Almost 45 per cent of the amount was spent by the BJP, is what the reports states," Sibal says. 

"On one hand we are working towards the E-ballot and on the other we are creating doubts about EVMs," says Bhupender Yadav in Rajya Sabha. Concluding his speech on the discussion of electoral reforms, Yadav says there should be discussion how to strengthen the use of EVMs instead of criticising its functioning as a whole. 

Speaking in favour of One nation, one poll, BJP Bhupender Yadav says expenditure would be less when all elections are conducted together. "The way we spend on current elections is a major issue," says Yadav in Rajya Sabha. 

BJP leader Bhupender Yadav refutes O'Brien's comment on 'One nation, one poll' and says Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha election should be conducted together as all politicians maintain their focus on election throughout the year instead of the current issues prevailing in the country. 

O'Brien listed misuse of data as another issue in Indian elections in the Rajya Sabha. He asks Centre "What have you done with the right of privacy?" O'Brien pointed out that the Data Protection Bill has been introduced in the Lok Sabha. "Since 2017-19 nothing has happened on the elctoral reforms. It is time we have to legislate on electoral reforms," O'Brien says. 

O'Brien said multi-phase elections is a problem. On PM Modi's One nation one poll O'Brien said, "Our solution is to not rush into anything." He listed international companies interruptions in Indian elections as another issue. "International companies cannot interrupt in Indian elections," O'Brien says. 

Derek O'Brien said electoral reforms has been in our manifesto. If we are talking about electoral reforms. "For the first time Article 324 was imposed in my state. We have to take the responsibility as to how election commissioners are appointed. Private funding bill had a solution to this," O'Brien said.

The Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 3.30 pm.

The Rajya Sabha is discussing The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers' Cadre) Bill, 2019. "That the Bill to provide for the reservation of posts in appointments by direct recruitment of persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the socially and educationally backward classes and the economically weaker sections, to teachers' cadre in certain Central Educational Institutions established, maintained or aided by the Central Government, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, as passed by Lok Sabha, be taken into consideration." The Bill is likely to be considered for passing today.

Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm. When the House resumes, any minute now, it is likely to take up for discussion electoral reforms. The notice was submitted by Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien, seeking discussion on the need for electoral reforms in the country. Leaders of over 10 parties will join the discussion. These include Congress, RJD, SP, BSP, Aam Aadmi Party, CPI, PDP, CPI(M), DMK, Kerala Congress (Mani), IUML and NCP.

Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh told Parliament that the government will appoint 40 private sector specialists at the posts of Deputy Secretary and Director. These posts are usually filled by IAS officers and officers of the Central Secretariat Service. "It has been decided, in principle, to appoint outside experts to 40 positions at Deputy Secretary/Director level. However, no final decision has been taken in the matter," he said in a written reply.

MoS Home Nityanand Rai told the Rajya Sabha that the government has not cleared the name 'Bangla' for West Bengal. This was a proposal put forth by the West Bengal government. The issue was raised by MP Ritabrata Banerjee.

In the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai says there is no proposal to scrap the provision under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) dealing with the offence of sedition, reports ANI.

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has introduced The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill, 2019 in Lok Sabha. Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, agreeing that India needs an arbiteration centre, objects to the introduction of this version of the Bill. He lists three reason for his objections, including that the body will not be an autonomous and independent institution as the Bill vests power with Centre. He adds that it should adopt a provision to ensure Centre's accountability.

Nitesh Ganga Deb from Odisha makes his Lok Sabha debut, expresses concern over the development of his constituency, Sambalpur. He is assured that the government will look into it. Meanwhile, DMK's Dayanidhi Maran asks a question on manned-level crossing and requests Goyal: "Please answer in English." Request approved.

Earlier this morning, MPs from the CPI(M) staged a protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue at Parliament. The protest was to demand the withdrawal of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on job works. 

Rajya Sabha members Wednesday will take up for discussion electoral reforms in the country and the need for free and fair elections. The notice was submitted by Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien.

Today in #RajyaSabha from 2pm . Will initiate the discussion on ‘Electoral Reform (and the need for free and fair elections). Looking forward to a purposive afternoon #ParliamentSession #sansadwatch @AITCofficial

— Derek O'Brien | ????? ?’??????? (@derekobrienmp) July 3, 2019

Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, answering a question on the printing press, says the world is moving towards digitisation. "The use of the printing press has declined so drastically. Some tickets cost more to print than the total value of the ticket!" On unmanned crossings, Goyal claims this government has eliminated all such crossings across the country. Uproar in the House!

Question Hour is underway in Lok Sabha. Railways MoS Suresh Angadi is taking questions on projects across the country. He has promised to look into offering Tejas services on routes between Rajasthan and Gujarat. DMK's Kanimozhi, meanwhile, has raised the issue of an incomplete Railway project in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi. Angadi said the state is yet to provide land for the project.

Welcome to our live blog on the Parliament monsoon session. Through the day we will bring you news and updates on proceedings in both Houses, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Leaders of over 10 parties will target the government in Rajya Sabha on electoral reforms. Follow this space!