Parliament Monsoon Session highlights: Zero Hour underway in Lok Sabha; MPs highlight local issues

The Rajya Sabha on Sunday saw complete pandemonium over the passage of the contentious farm Bills with MPs from the Opposition parties protesting inside the Rajya Sabha. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that whatever happened was 'saddening, unfortunate, and shameful' with the government mulling action against the unruly behaviour of the MPs. The Lower House saw a discussion on the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on India. The Lok Sabha also passed the Rashtriya Raksha University Bill, 2020, and the National Forensic Sciences University Bill, 2020.For more latest updates, stay tuned.

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It is a landmark day: Rajnath Singh on passage of farm bills in Rajya Sabha

He said the bills will not only strengthen India's food security, but will also prove to be a major effective step towards doubling the income of farmers.

Read more here.

Government mulls action against unruly behaviour of MPs in Rajya Sabha

The government was weighing options of moving breach of privilege proceedings or suspending the members who indulged in unruly scenes in the Rajya Sabha during the discussion on farm sector bills.

Read more here.

No restriction on accessing any website in J&K: Centre

Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said the mobile data services are presently restricted to 2G speed in all but two districts of the Union territory.

"There is no restriction on accessing any sites, including the social media sites," he said in a written reply.

Read more here.

Lok Sabha passes bill to set up National Forensic Sciences University

The proposed university would facilitate and promote studies and research and help achieve excellence in the field of forensic science in conjunction with applied behavioral science studies, law, criminology and other allied areas.

Read more here.

Zero Hour is underway in the Lok Sabha.

Lok Sabha passes Rashtriya Raksha University Bill, 2020.

Lok Sabha passes National Forensic Sciences University Bill, 2020.

My ministry got Rs 893.93 crores from PM CARES Fund for 50,000 made in India ventilators: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in Lok Sabha

How much fund has been received by your ministry and state governments from PM CARES Fund, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asks Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan

I am also a farmer and I want to assure farmers of the country that MSP (minimum support price) & APMC (agricultural produce market committee) systems are not going to end: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on farm bills

What happened in Rajya Sabha today was saddening, unfortunate and shameful, says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

What happened in Rajya Sabha today was saddening, unfortunate and shameful. It is the responsibility of the ruling side to enable discussions in the House but it is also the duty of the Opposition to maintain decorum, saidDefence Minister Rajnath Singh on the ruckus that erupted over the farm Bills in the Upper House.

As far as I know, this has never happened in the history of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. This happening in the Rajya Sabha is an even bigger matter. Attempts are being made to mislead the farmers on the basis of rumours. What happened is against the decorum of House, said the Defence Minister.

He said that notice has been given to the Chairman and adecision will be taken by him.

I don't want to say anything politically. This is the prerogative of the Chairman, he said on the no-confidence motion by the Opposiion against Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.

TMC MP Derek O'Brien attempts to tear the rule book as ruckus erupts in the Rajya Sabha over agriculture related bills, during the ongoing Monsoon Session, at Parliament House in New Delhi, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020.

83,008 pending cases of doubtful voters in Assam, over 86,000 declared foreigners in 5 years: Govt

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said at present Foreigners Tribunals (FTs) are functioning only in Assam.

Read more here.

Govt set to amend Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act; Aadhar to be mandatory for registration

The Foreign Contribution Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2020, to be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Sunday, also proposes to enable the Centre to allow an NGO or association to surrender its FCRA certificate.

Read more here.

No restrictions on movement of individuals in JK: govt

"At present, there are no restrictions on movement but for the security advisories to maintain the law and order situation and no person is under House arrest in Jammu and Kashmir for reasons not related to public health guidelines," Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said in a written response to a question.

Reddy said there are no restrictions on the movement of any individual, including the protectees of the Peoples Democratic Party.

"Considering the law and order and security situation of a particular area, it is imperative that prior intimation is given by the protected persons regarding their movements etc.," he said.

High-level meeting held at the residence of Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu over ruckus in Rajya Sabha

A high-level meeting held at the residence of Rajya Sabha Chairman, Venkaiah Naidu, over the ruckus created by MPs of Opposition parties in Rajya Sabah earlier today.

Rajya Sabha Dy Chairman Harivansh, Union Minister Piyush Goyal & Parliamentary Affairs Min Pralhad Joshi were present in the meeting

India has become the poster child for the worst-case scenario: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Covid-19 crisis in Lok Sabha

While talking about the economic and social implications of the Covid-19 pandemic in India, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said in the Lok Sabha that India had become the poster child for the worst-case scenario.

Hitting out at the government, Tharoor listed down 5 points on how the government had failed in containing the virus, stating that the government wasn't governing but ruling and that its high-handed measures had caused widespread pain.

"There is still time for you to recognise the follies in your approach," he said to the government.

Lok Sabha member N K Premachandran tests positive for coronavirus

LokSabhamember and RSP leader N K Premachandran has tested positive for coronavirus, his office said on Sunday.

He has been admitted to AIIMS here.

The leader of the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) from Kerala has been attending the currentLokSabhasession and was also actively participating in discussions.

PTI

Watch the Lok Sabha proceedings of the Monsoon Session LIVE here:

Why is govt 'running away' from giving legal responsibility for MSP, asks Congress

Days after their passage in the Lok Sabha, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar introduced the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 in the Rajya Sabha.

Read more here.

Farm bills: Opposition members sit in protest inside Rajya Sabha after House adjourned

The House sitting ends at 1 pm and Rajya Sabha chamber has to be sanitised by 3 pm when Lok Sabha sits for a session. Both the chambers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are being used for each House to allow members to follow physical distancing norms.

Read more here.

Farm Bills will add impetus to the efforts to double income of farmers and ensure greater prosperity for them, says PM Narendra Modi

Lok Sabha adjourned till 4 pm over social-distancing norms

LokSabhawas adjourned till 4 pm on Sunday amid a demand by the Congress members that the House proceedings should not take place till RajyaSabhagalleries are cleared of the agitating members of the Upper House.

Due to the physical-distancing norms in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, some members ofLokSabhahave been allocated seats in RajyaSabha. Opposition members are on a dharna in RajyaSabhato protest the farm bills passed by the Upper House earlier in the day.

Leader of the Congress Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said sinceLokSabhamembers sit in the chambers of bothLokSabhaand RajyaSabhato ensure social distancing due to Covid-19, the House should not function as theLokSabhamembers are unable to sit in the RajyaSabhachamber due to an ongoing dharna by the opposition members of the Upper House.

PTI

Lok Sabha proceedings to commence at 4 pm.

Rajya Sabha chamber not available as opposition members stage a sit-in protest accusing Modi government of ramming through agriculture bills without proper vote.

Rajya Sabha chaos finds an echo in Lok Sabha; Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demands adjournment of proceedings till Rajya Sabha chamber is vacated.

Unemployment, 'corporatisation of agriculture', handling of Covid-19 pandemic key issues in Bihar polls: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav told PTI.

Congress, other opposition parties sit in protest inside Rajya Sabha after farm bills passed amid uproar.

The irresponsible act of opposition is unfortunate. They violated the protocols, Chairman will take note of it and take action. The democratic system should function smoothly, we'll request Chairman to take steps for the same: BJP President JP Nadda.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 9 am tomorrow; Lok Sabha session to start at 3 pm

Rajya Sabha passes Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill.

They have broken every rule of the Parliament. It was a historic day, in the worst sense of the word. They cut RSTV feed so the country couldn't see. They censored RSTV: TMC MP Derek O'Brien after uproar in the House on farm bills.

The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill passed in Rajya Sabha amid high drama.

The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill allows intra-state and inter-state trade of farmers’ produce beyond the physical premises of APMC markets.

Lok Sabha RSP MP NK Premachandran tests positive for Covid-19.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 1:41 pm, following uproar in the House over agriculture bills

Congress MP TN Prathapan has given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha over farmers’ protest across the country against "anti-farmer legislations of the Government".

CPM MP AM Arif has given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha over "Government’s decision to privatise Indian Railways".

Congress MP K Suresh MP has given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha on "the arrest of three individuals from Kerala and six from West Bengal over suspected links with Al-Qaeda, and concern of safety and security of country".

Motion to send Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill to Select Committee defeated by voice vote in Rajya Sabha.

Motion to send The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill to Select Committee defeated by voice vote in Rajya Sabha.

Opposition MPs in the Well of Rajya Sabha, opposes extending the proceedings beyond 1 pm.

Congress, Trinamool Congress, AAP MPs in the Well of the House.

Rajya Sabha extends the timing of today's sitting till the Farm Bills in consideration are disposed.

'PM should explain why there's a hurry to pass the bills amid Covid-19'

He should explain what would farm bills do for farming community in short & long term & how it will help in achieving govt's goal of doubling farmers' income: Former PM & JD(S) MP HD Devegowda in Rajya Sabha.

"Though intended to save the farmers, these bills are going to sell the farmers... What is the imposition to pass the bill so urgently? You are pledging the farmers to the corporates," said Tiruchi Siva, DMK in the Rajya Sabha.

"India will be called as a corporate country, not an agricultural country if Farm Bills passed," he added.

AAP's Sanjay Singh attacks Centre says it betrayed farmers, India's citizens and youth.

"The Farm Bills isan attempt at selling the souls of India's farmers," he said in the Rajya Sabha.

Did Harsimrat Kaur Badal quit over rumours? asks Sanjay Raut in Rajya Sabha

"We need to save Indian agriculture form being privatised," he added.

Farm bills: BJD issues whip to its RS MPs telling them to remain present in House

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has issued a whip to itsRajyaSabhamembers directing them to remain present in the House on Sunday during the debate over the contentious farm bills.

Kejriwal urges non-BJP parties to vote against farm bills in Rajya Sabha

National convener of AAP and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday appealed to all non-BJP parties to vote against three agriculture-related bills in theRajyaSabha, saying farmers in the country wished so.

Earlier, Kejriwal had said his party will vote against the three bills and termed them "anti-farmer".

Ram Chandra Prasad Singh's remarks on Farmers' Produce Trade & Commerce (Promotion & Facilitation) Bill

These Bills should be sent to a select committee so that all stakeholders can be heard... Don't think that the farmers of Punjab are weak: SAD MP Naresh Gujral, in Rajya Sabha, on agriculture Bills

"The farmer of Punjab feels threatened today by the bills you are about to pass... There is a trust deficit or a communication gap," Naresh Gujral, SAD, Punjab said requesting to send the Farm Bills to a select committee for consideration.

I salute power of farmers that made Akali Dal take U-turn & stand in their support. They were advocating ordinances but today they've realised seriousness of matter. Their MPs should oppose the Bills in Rajya Sabha & put united front: Punjab Food & Civil Supplies Minister BB Ashu.

Watch Derek O'Brien's statement on Farm Bills in Rajya Sabha:

Uproar by Congress MPs in Rajya Sabha after YSRCP MP VV Reddy says, "There is no reason for Congress to oppose these Bills. Congress is a party of middlemen 'dalals'." Congress MP Anand Sharma demands apology from him.

The Speaker says, "nothing will go on record".

"It appears that there is a compulsion that the ruling party doesn't want a debate or discussion on these Bills. They are only rushing through these Bills. You have not even consulted any farmer associations," said Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav in Rajya Sabha.

How many BJP MPs have read the Farm Bills? asks Derek O'Brien in Rajya Sabha

"I want the young people of India to understand. These bills have to be discussed and debated. They have to be scrutinised, we can't do six minutes here, eight minutes there. We will keep fighting for our democratic right in parliament. You may have numbers, but we have the right to keep our say in a parliament democracy. We are following a very dangerous trend... How many BJP MPs have read these bills?

"State's role, MSP, PDS, public procurement are all our concerns on the bills and not just MSP... Have you consulted the states?" asked TMC's Derek O'Brien in Rajya Sabha during the discussion on the Farm Ordinances.

Centre's credibility low to make promises, says Derek O'Brien

PM Modi said that Opposition is misleading the farmers. You (Centre) said double farmer income by 2022. But, at current rates, the farmer income will not be doubled before 2028. Your credibility is low to make promises: TMC MP Derek O'Brien in Rajya Sabha, on agriculture Bills

Farm Bills a step towards self-reliance: BJP MP Bhupender Yadav

"Opposition always has a negative outlook on things... Think where we can take the infrastructure of India with these bills... These three bills are for the sake of farmers, why are you opposing it? Indian farmers suffer because of lack of proper budget. Indian agriculture sector needs a new reform," said BJP MP Bhupender Yadav in Rajya Sabha.

"Congress opposes these ill-conceived and ill-timed Bills. Congress rejects these bills. We will not sign on this death warrant of farmers," says Partap Singh Bajwa, Congress MP on agriculture Bills, in Rajya Sabha.

We oppose the Bills. It is against federal spirit: Pratap Singh Bajwa (Cong)

"PM Modi only gave a statement on the Farm Bills issue when Akali Dal rebelled," he said.

KK Ragesh, Derek O'Brien, Tiruchi Siva and KC Venugopal move motion to send The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill to Select Committee.

K K Ragesh, Derek O'Brien and Tiruchi Siva move motion to send the Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar moves consideration of Farmers' Produce Trade And Commerce (Promotion And Facilitation) Bill to send it to Select Committee.

Tomar says these are historic bills and will bring revolutionary changes in the lives of farmers. "These bills are not related to MSP. MSP will continue as usual," he said.

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar moves Farmers' and Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, in Rajya Sabha.

"This is corporate freedom to loot our farmers. Bargaining powers will lie with the corporates," said K K Ragesh.

Agriculture is a state subject... How can it be a Covid-19 package? There is no mention of a loan waiver," said K K Rajesh (Kerala) in the Rajya Sabha.

H D Devegowda (Karnataka) makes the prescribed oath or affirmation of allegiance to the Constitution.

Former Prime Minister H D Devegowda takes oath as Rajya Sabha MP. He took oath in Kannada. Rajya Sabha Chairman M VenkaiahNaidu says a good addition to the House.

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Watch the live session of Rajya Sabha here

Congress MP Ripun Bora has given Zero-Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over "demand for modification of modalities of the Rs 20 lakh crores stimulus package announced to combat the economic loss due to Covid-19 pandemic"

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Vivek Thakur has given Zero-Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over "the need for clarity on the uniform implementation of proposed Covid-19 vaccine in all states".

BJP, Opposition seek to rally support as farm bills reach Rajya Sabha

RajyaSabhais likely to take up the contentious farm bills on Sunday with the Congress and many opposition parties trying to put a united front to oppose these proposed legislations terming them as anti-farmer and pro-corporate, even as the ruling BJP is also reaching out to several regional outfits for support.

Three farmbills were passed by the Lok Sabha recently. Farmers have expressed apprehension that the three Bills will pave a way for dismantling the minimum support price system, leaving them at the “mercy” of big corporates.

Bills for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha today:

- The National Forensic Sciences University Bill, 2020.

- The Rashtriya Raksha University Bill, 2020.

- The Bilateral Netting of Qualified Financial Contracts Bill, 2020.

- The Factoring Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

Bill to be introduced in the Lok Sabha today:

- The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020.

Bill for consideration and passing in the Rajya Sabha today:

- The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020.
- The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020.
- The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
- The Indian Institutes of Information Technology Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
- The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020

Parliament's Monsoon Session to be curtailed

Spooked by Members of Parliament testing positive for Covid-19, the Monsoon Session of Parliament is likely to be cut short to end on Thursday next.

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Lok Sabha passes the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020; adjourned till 3 pm tomorrow.

Lok Sabha on Saturday passed a bill to further amend the Companies Act and decriminalise various non-compoundable offences and promote ease of doing business.

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Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda to take oath as Rajya Sabha MP on Sunday.

Lok Sabha passes the Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Bill, 2020.