Both Houses saw a stormy start as Opposition members demanded a discussion on the India-China border clash in Tawang Sector, Arunachal Pradesh. While the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 p.m., Opposition members staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha after a heated back-and-forth with the Chairman.

Later today, Rajya Sabha is expected to take up the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fourth Amendment) Bill, which modify the scheduled tribes list in Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka respectively. The Lok Sabha, meanwhile, is expected to take up the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022, which repeals 60 old laws and rectifies errors in one.

Yesterday, the Lok Sabha saw Opposition uproar over the India-China border clash, with the House adjourned once and several Opposition members walking out in protest. The Lower House concludes its discussion of the country’s drug menace with a reply by Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterating the Centre’s zero-drug tolerance policy. The House also passed the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, which modifies the list of Scheduled Tribes in Chhattisgarh.

In Rajya Sabha, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman replied to concerns expressed by more than 40 members regarding Appropriation Bills 4 and 5. The Upper House then took up The Maritime Anti-Piracy Bill, 2022, for consideration and passing. The Bill was passed after a detailed discussion and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s reply.

Explained | What’s on agenda for the 2022 Winter Session of Parliament?

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Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya briefs Rajya Sabha about COVID-19 situation

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya briefs the House about the surge in COVID-19 cases, quoting the rise in cases worldwide and in countries such as China and South Korea. He says that given the upcoming festive and new year season, we should ensure that we wear masks, use sanitisers, maintain respiratory hygiene and maintain social distancing. Focus should also be given to precautionary doses, he says.

Members raise concerns about oxygen supply and the need to fully comply with COVID-19 protocols. Nadimul Haque also brings up the plight of migrant workers during the earlier waves.

Replying to AAP MP Raghav Chaddha’s question about testing passengers from China, the Health Minister says that 2% random testing has already commenced.  We are prepared, we have vaccines, and we have also developed a nasal drop vaccine, he says.

The COVID-19 virus is not partisan, so our battle should also be non-partisan, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar says. 

Modern medicine should reach tribal communities: YSRCP MP Ryaga Krishnaiah

YSRCP MP Ryaga Krishnaiah, speaking in Telugu, says that tribal communities are still relying on traditional, old medicinal practices, due to challenges in reaching them. He says that modern medicine must reach them. They are also exploited very much in the market, he says. Middle men are getting profits, he says, stressing the need for improvement. He also highlights issues such as poverty, dropout rates in education, and lack of representation in the judiciary. 

Lok Sabha adjourned for third time in a day

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the third time on Thursday afternoon as the Opposition continued protest over its demand for a discussion on the China-India border issue. The House will resume proceedings at 4 p.m.

Attempt to create seperate tribal religion: BJP MP G.V.L Narasimha Rao

BJP MP G.V.L Narasimha Rao says that the fact that even a small tribe in Tamil Nadu being given a place on the ST list shows that the government is truly for “sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas.” In Telugu, he says that the State has also taken positive steps in Andhra Pradesh for Adivasis, launching several Eklavya Schools.  

What are the current guidelines for reservation for tribal communities in plains and those in hilly areas, he asks Union Minister Arjun Munda, while discussing various measures being taken in Andhra Pradesh and elsewhere.

He raises various issues facing tribal communities. People belonging to non-tribal castes tribal women, make them members of Parliament and Legislatures and enjoy political power through them. They also take economic benefits, he says. He also brings up the alleged religious conversion of tribals and further alleges that there is an attempt to create a separate tribal religion when they are all Hindus.

Centre monitoring emerging situation: Mansukh Mandaviya’s statement amid COVID concerns

Amid growing concerns over the spread of COVID-19 in China, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, “There has been an increase in COVID-19 cases all over the world. India is seeing around an average of 150 COVID cases daily. The government has taken proactive, pre-emptive measures to manage the pandemic. The Centre continues to monitor the situation in wake of an increase in cases in China.”

The Health Minister said andom sampling of arriving international travellers has started at airports. He added that States have been asked to conduct genome sequencing of Covid cases to enable tracking of new variants.

“In view of festive season ahead, states asked to be alert, create awareness about masks, sanitisers,” the Minister said in his statement.

House resumes proceedings, Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022 taken up

The House resumes with Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh presiding. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022, is introduced by Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda and taken up for discussion.  

The Bill seeks to include the Narikoravan and Kurivikkaran tribes in Tamil Nadu’s ST list.

Proceedings resume in Lower House with Zero Hour

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned twice on Thursday amid the opposition’s demand for a discussion on the China-India border issue.

House stands adjourned till 2 p.m

Question Hour concludes and the House is adjourned till 2 p.m.

Issues such as restoration of heritage sites in Chhattisgarh and North Eastern States, digitisation of archival records, tourism visas given to foreign tourists, funds allocated to the North Eastern Council, challenges faced by women in the hospitality sector, amendments to the Environment Protection Act, surrogate advertisements of alcohol and tobacco products and unemployment rate in the country, and regulation of digital news portals were discussed in the House. 

A discussion about scientific evidence regarding Indian history and introducing it into the curriculum also took place, with Dr. Jitendra Singh saying that we have found remains of the Harappan civilization using radar technology in his reply. He indicated that similar efforts were being made with regard to the Ram Setu.

If Parliament is not the venue to raise these issues, where should we raise it: MP KC Venugopal in press conference

Addressing a joint press conference held by the Opposition, Congress MP KC Venugopal said, “Today is practically the last day of Parliament’s winter session. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge wasn’t allowed to speak. If Parliament is not the venue to raise these issues, where should we raise it? This attitude is not acceptable. Therefore the entire opposition has decided to boycott for the day.”

Disposal of Central Information Commission cases increased by 92%: MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh

MP Dr. Ashok Bajpai asks questions pertaining to whether the hybrid mode of hearing is available to information seekers by the State and Central Information Commissions.

The question is addressed to the Prime Minister, who was present in the House. Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office, replies, saying that the CIC discusses this issue and introduces new technology to various State governments. Our online system was robust and was not affected by Covid-19, he says.

Our disposal rate of cases has been 92% more than the UPA government and our compliance rate has increased to 94%.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 p.m. amid sloganeering by Opposition

The Lower House has been again adjourned following ruckus and sloganeering by Opposition parties. Earlier, the Speaker adjourned the House within minutes of the commencement of proceedings on Thursday morning.

Proceedings resume in Lok Sabha, ruckus continues

The Lok Sabha has taken up listed business for the day even as the Opposition resorts to sloganeering over their demand for a discussion on the current situation along the border with China.   

Question Hour underway in the House

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar is presiding. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is present in the House. Several Opposition members remain absent.

Opposition members stage a walkout over India-China clash

Opposition parties stage a walkout after a long argument between the Chairman and Opposition on a debate about the Indo-China stand off in Tawang sector, Arunachal Pradesh

Similar incidents never discussed in previous regimes: Piyush Goyal

Leader of the House Piyush Goyal points out that the Deputy Chairman highlighted many instances like this which happened when the Opposition was in power, but that discussion didn’t happen then. The Defence Minister also made a detailed statement in the House about it, he says.

He brings up the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and alleges that they are not providing information.

House continues to chant and protest as he speaks.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says that when the Indo-China border issue was raised when Pranab Mukherjee was a member of the House, he asked that it be discussed in the chamber, while not even being the Chairman of the House.

We have only one request, discuss India- China border issue: Mallikarjun Kharge

The Chair permits Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to address the House, who opens by saying “No member here is against you or trying to embarrass you. We respect you.” We just have one request, that there be a discussion about the clash on the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh, he says.

He further asks that there be discussion about Piyush Goyal’s remarks insulting Bihar. Thirdly, he says that they wish for a discussion while the Chairman is simply stating rules.

“Rules are one side, and practices, uses, customs, and precedents” are another side, he says. “There are conventions…We are bringing up the issue according to conventions, and you are getting angry,” Mr. Kharge says.

“When we want a discussion for the nation’s security, there is no rule greater than that,” he says.

You said that you want the leader of the House and Opposition to speak to you in the chamber, he tells the Chair. But this issue is something to be spoken in the open, the people who have elected us should hear us, he states.

Turbulent Zero Hour in progress

TMC(M) MP G.K Vasan speaks about the issue of manual scavenging as the Opposition chants “We want discussion!” and other slogans.

CPI(M) MP Dr. V Sivadasan is called on to speak about the issue of women’s rights but asks for discussion about the India-China border clash. The Chair requests members to take their seats, as they congregate in the well of the House. This will come back to haunt you, he says. “I appeal to you with folded hands,” he requests the members.

He asks the Leaders of the House and the Opposition to meet him at 1 p.m. in his chamber.

Rule 267 notices disallowed by chair, House in an uproar

The Chair disallows Rule 267 notices, leading to protests from Opposition members seeking suspension of the business of the House to discuss the India-China clash in Tawang sector, Arunachal Pradesh. They are also protesting Leader of the House Piyush Goyal’s remarks regarding Bihar. Mr. Goyal says that it is not his intention to insult Bihar or the people of Bihar.

The Chair urges the members to take their seats, telling members that they are bound by the rules.

House resumes proceedings

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar presiding, warns about the surging cases of Covid-19 in the country and urges caution. “We need to be vigilant and take all precautionary steps,” he says, urging members to wear masks inside the House.

Lok Sabha reconvenes, adjourned within minutes

After a stormy session on Wednesday, proceedings resumed in the Lower House at 11 a.m. After obituary references to seven former members, the House took up Question Hour amid noisy scenes. The House has been adjourned to meet at 12 p.m.

RJD, JD(U) MPs protest against Piyush Goyal, seek apology

RJD and JD(U) MPs staged a protest in front of the Gandhi statue in Parliament today morning, demanding an apology from Union Minister Piyush Goyal for his alleged “demeaning” remarks against Bihar. On Tuesday, during Mr. Jha intervention in a debate on the Appropriation Bill, Mr. Goyal interjected to say, “  inka bas chale, toh desh ko Bihar hi bana de” (If they have their way, they will turn the country into Bihar).

Objecting to Mr. Goyal’s comments, Mr. Jha wrote to the Rajya Sabha Chairman and said that such a “demeaning” statement was not expected from a person of Mr. Goyal’s rank. It is deeply problematic, he said, that the Government of India is singling out one State and terming it as a “failure”.

Mallikarjun Kharge chairs joint meeting with floor leaders

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge held a meeting of floor leaders of opposition parties to discuss strategy for the ongoing winter session. During the meeting, floor leaders of the Opposition parties took a unanimous decision to raise the border issue with China in Parliament, as per ANI.

The meeting was led by the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.
| Photo Credit:
ANI

Congress reiterates demand for discussion on India-China situation

Congress MP Manish Tewari has given an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha to discuss the border situation with China following a clash in Arunachal Pradesh.

What is on the agenda for the Rajya Sabha?

The Upper House will take up business as usual at 11 a.m., starting with the laying of papers, reports and a statement regarding the status of implementation of recommendations pertaining to the Ministry of Tourism.

Bills that are expected to be considered today are:

1. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022, which modifies the list of Scheduled Tribes in Tamil Nadu
2. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022, which modifies the list of Scheduled Tribes in Himachal Pradesh
3. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2022, which modifies the list of Scheduled Tribes in Karnataka

All three of these were recently passed by the Lok Sabha.

Lok Sabha: What is it taking up today?

At the outset, the Lok Sabha is expected to pay its respects to previous members who have recently passed away.

This will be followed by the usual Question Hour and papers, reports and statements laid on the table of the House. Messages regarding Appropriation Bills 4 and 5 from the Rajya Sabha are expected to be conveyed to the Lower House. Post Special Mentions under Rule 377, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju is expected to move that the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022 be taken up for consideration and passing.