It has been an eventful day in both the Houses of Parliament, with discussions ranging from electoral reforms to cultural events amid a walkout by opposition members and suspension of Derek O'Brien for throwing the Rule Book at the chair. Come back tomorrow for live coverage.
Over 'gross misconduct', members pass a motion to suspend the TMC floor leader for the rest of the Winter Session.
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BJP members highlight the achievements of the Modi government, highlight works in various sectors ranging from farmer initiatives to developing Covid-19 vaccines.
Members question the VAT on petrol and diesel, and discuss the increasing price of edible oil.
Ayodhya Rami Reddy of YSRCP says that the promises made during the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh have not been fulfilled in its entirety, causing shortfalls in state vitality.
Nirmala Sitharaman moves a motion for the House to clearLegislative Business (Bill for consideration and return) - The Appropriation (No 5) Bill, 2021, which was cleared by the Lok Sabha.
Piyush Goyal, in his speech, said that all possible steps to redress the suspension of MPs, including inviting the parties whose members were suspended. However, the meeting did not take place and "they must now apologise" to set an example "for the nation's youth," he said.
Derek O'Brien throws the Rule Book at the table of Rajya Sabha after raising a point of order on demands for division of votes on Election Laws Amendment Bill was not allowed.
Piyush Goyal hits out at dissent to the electoral reforms and alleges that those opposing the bill are involved in mal practices.
Meanwhile, in the Rajya Sabha, after an argument with Mallikarjun Kharge, the Speaker puts clauses of amendments to the electoral reform bill to vote.
"We're, in a democracy, 75 yrs late in providing equal rights to men & women to enter into matrimony. Through this amendment, for the first time men and women will be able to make a decision on marriage at the age of 21, keeping in mind the right to equality," says Union Minister Smriti Irani.
"It's the 2nd or 3rd time consecutively, they're aggressively bringing Bills & nobody from Oppn is consulted. Whatever is discussed in Business Advisory Committee is never implemented on floor of House. I want to condemn this new practice which this govt is doing," says Supriya Sule of NCP.
Rijiju addresses concerns over misuse of Aadhaar and said that the sole function of the reform is to ensure the same person cannot vote in two constituencies or two separate locations.
"Retrogressive amendment. It's against right to freedom under Art 19. An 18-yr-old can choose a PM, can have a live-in relationship but you are denying right to marriage. What have you done for 18-yr-old? Women labour force participation in India lower than Somalia," said A Owisi, AIMIM.
Saying that there was no mechanism to check duplicity of votes, Rijiju says that the youth "would not forgive" those who oppose a transparent voting system. He says that those opposing the move may be indulging in mal practices.
Sivadasan, calling the reform 'undemocratic' brings back the topic to the suspension of the 12 MPs as opposition heckling dies down even as the Speaker cuts him off.
As BJD's member continues to discuss the electoral reform, opposition chants of "we want justice" ring out, drowning out proceedings.
Kumar, expressing support for the bill, says that the "intent of the bill" is great but raises concerns over linking Aadhaar data, claiming "abuse of power" by officers. He suggests linking only the Aadhaar number with voter IDs instead of linking it to the entire Aadhaar ecosystem.
Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju moves 'The Election Laws (Amend) Bill, 2021' for consideration andpassing in Rajya Sabha. The Bill seeks to link Aadhar-voter ID to the electoral-rolls.
Rajya Sabha reconvenes Derek O'Brien objects to Election Laws Amendment Bill taken up for discussion today Argues that Bill needs to be circulated in advance, MPs need to be given time to move the motion for sending Bill to Select Committee, quotes rules.
Opposition MPs in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha marched from Gandhi statue in Parliament to Vijay Chowk, demanding suspension of MoS Home Ajay Mishra Teni over Lakhimpur Kheri matter.
"We will not spare him (Ashish Mishra, son of MoS Home AjayMishra); today or tomorrow, he will be sent to jail," saidCongress MP Rahul Gandhi at the Opposition party protestwalk to Vijay Chowk
Congress MP KC Venugopal gave suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha to discuss the SIT Report in Lakhimpur Kheri matter and demand resignation of MoS Home Ajay Misra Teni. (ANI)
Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pmover ruckus in the House after DMK MPs raised the issue of abolishing the NEET exam.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm today after Opposition parties raised their issue of boycotting the Business Advisory Committee meeting of Rajya Sabha held yesterday in Parliament. Opposition parties had boycotted the meeting yesterday, alleging that they weren't informed timely for the meet.
CPI (M)MP Dr V Sivadasan submits notice for suspension of business in Rajya Sabha to discuss the need for withdrawal of AFSPA in Nagaland. Nagaland Assembly has unanimously adopted the resolution demanding the repeal of AFSPA in the state.
Once the Aadhar linkage is achieved, the electoral roll data system will instantly alert the existence of previous registration(s) whenever a person applies for new. It'll help clean electoral roll&facilitate elector registration in location at which they're ‘ordinarily resident’: Government Sources (ANI)
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will move the Bill for an amendment to the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, the Cost and Works Accountants Act, 1959 and the Company Secretaries Act, 1980. She will also move that the Bill be passed by the Lok Sabha. Read more
INC's Manickam Tagore submits adjournment notice in Lok Sabha on the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda gives suspension of business notice in Rajya Sabha over Lakhimpur Kheri incident, also demands immediate resignation of MoS Home Ajay Misra Teni.
The government is monitoring the Omicron situation everyday and constantly assessing this new Covid variant with experts, the Parliament was told on Monday.
"I have spoken with the states on this Covid variant and also an SOP has been issued for travellers landing from abroad for preventing the infection," Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya told the Rajya Sabha. - IANS.
The Opposition is gearing up for a fight on the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday and force the government to send it to a Parliamentary panel, even as the ruling side decided to rush through the proposed law in Lok Sabha by ignoring an earlier agreement to send it to the Standing Committee for further scrutiny.