Parliament Highlights: RS, LS adjourned till tomorrow 11 am

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday bid farewell to its 72 retiring members with Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging them to take the experience gained in the House across India in the best interests of the people and help inspire the coming generations. Members cutting across party lines shared fond memories of their retiring colleagues and hoped they return to the House. While most MPs were emotional, there were some lighter moments as well. Both the houses have been adjourned till 11 am tomorrow.

NTPC project in Bihar affected due to sanctions on Russia

Construction of state-run NTPC's Barh thermal power project in Bihar that has involvement of Russian entities has been affected due to various sanctions against Russia, Parliament was informed on Thursday.

"In so far as Ministry of Power is concerned, NTPC's Barh Super Thermal Power Project, Stage-I (3X660 MW), which is presently under construction, has involvement of Russian entities," Power Minister R K Singh said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow 11 am

Delhi among 31 non-attainment cities with increased PM10 levels in 2020-21, govt tells RS

Delhi is among the 31 of the 132 non-attainment cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) which have shown an increase in the level of PM10 pollutant concentration in 2020-21, the government told Parliament on Thursday.

Nitish Kumar's comments on Rajya Sabha wish triggers speculation

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed his desire that he would like to serve as a Rajya Sabha member one day, triggering massive speculation about his political future.

Read More

CBFC can't ban films, it refused certification to 6 films since 2014, govt tells Rajya Sabha

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) cannot ban a movie but can refuse certification which it has done for six films since 2014, the government informed Parliament on Thursday.

The CBFC examines a film following the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983 and the guidelines issued thereunder and may sanction it for public exhibition under 'U', 'U/A', 'A' and 'S' categories.

Airlines adhering to hand baggage policy: Scindia

Airlines have been told to strictly follow the 'one hand bag' rule, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) had issued a circular on February 24, 2000 to enforce the rule, he said during the Question Hour.

Northeast is a historic decision. A lot of steps have been taken by HM and PM. Arunachal Pradesh had removed AFSPA long back except in 3 districts. This decision shows that the era of peace has arrived in the Northeast: Union Min Kiren Rijiju

Phangnon Konyak is Nagaland's first woman Rajya Sabha MP

S Phangnon Konyak was on Thursday elected unopposed as theRajyaSabhamember from Nagaland. With the tenure of incumbentRajyaSabhaMP from Nagaland K G Kenye ending on April 2, the election was scheduled to be held on Thursday.

BJP chief whip in WB Assembly, Manoj Tigga and I met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the Parliament today and handed him over a fact-finding report over Birbhum violence. We also told him of the incidents that happened in the Assembly on 28th March: WB BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar

CPI(M)'s Jharna Das Bhaidya thanks late Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj

Phangnon Konyak is Nagaland's first woman Rajya Sabha MP

S Phangnon Konyak was on Thursday elected unopposed as the Rajya Sabha member from Nagaland. With the tenure of incumbent Rajya Sabha MP from Nagaland K G Kenye ending on April 2, the election was scheduled to be held on Thursday.

(PTI)

Historic time for civil aviation in India: Jyotiraditya Scindia

As many as 1,783 flights are being operated by foreign airlines every week from India beginning March 27, while 1,465 flights are being run by domestic airlines, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said in Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Read more

States were told that their yearly labour budget won't be approved unless they meet conditions related to social audit&appointment of Lokpal. Social audit should be made effective but labourers can't be punished by stopping the money for this, based on shortcomings, says Sonia Gandhi

(ANI)

MGNREGA, which was mocked by several people a few yrs ago, provided timely help to crores of affected poor families during Covid & lockdown & played a positive role in saving the govt. Still, constant cuts are being made in the budgetary allocation for MGNREGA, says Sonia Gandhi in LS

(ANI)

This is a relay race where those retiring will leave behind the torch that we will be carrying: Tiruchi Siva

Nehruji provided Rajya Sabha with power and integrity. He made RS MPs the members of various committees. Except, in the case of Money bills, both the Houses are equally powerful: Kharge

(ANI)

There's a saying in politics that there are often ups & downs but one should never leave the ground. We should keep that in mind while working for the people: Mallikarjun Kharge in Rajya Sabha

(ANI)

This (Upper) House has contributed a lot to our lives, more than we have contributed to it. The experience gathered as a member of this House should be taken to all four directions of the country, says PM

(ANI)

Retirement of about 1/3rd of members of the House every 2 years is a big occasion: Naidu

Vice-president and Rajya Sabha speaker said that the72 retiring members have a combined experience of 143 terms.

Rajya Sabha proceedings underway

Rahul demands rollback in prices of fuel, leads protest against hike

Stepping up the attack against the government over steep hike in fuel prices, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said the rise in petrol and diesel prices has been unprecedented and demanded its roll back.

Leading a protest by Congress MPs on the issue at Vijay Chowk here, he said prices of petrol and diesel have risen nine times in the last 10 days, and the common man is the most affected due to this.

(PTI)

Discussion of working of Labour Ministry in RS likely to conclude

The discussion on the working of the Ministry of Labour and Employment is likely to conclude in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The Question Hour and Zero Hour will not be conducted on Thursday in order to allow members to speak and bid farewell to 72 retiring members.

(IANS)

Congress MPs protest against fuel price hike at Vijay Chowk near Parliament

Congress MPs hold protest over hike in fuel prices at Vijay Chowk

Lok Sabha nod to bill to merge three municipal corporations of Delhi

Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill to merge three municipal corporations of Delhi into a single entity.

"The Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill seeks to unify the three municipal corporations into a single, integrated and well-equipped entity to ensure a robust mechanism for synergised and strategic planning and optimal utilisation of resources," Home Minister Amit Shah said.

It's not West Bengal, 2,473 people arrested in Delhi riots cases: Amit Shah to TMC

Over 2,000 people have been arrested in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots and just 83 of them could get bail from court so far, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday, hitting out at the TMC after its member demanded an update from him in the matter.