On the fifth day of the Budget session, the Parliament reconvenes after Lok Sabha business came to a grinding halt on Friday.
With the Trinamool Congress staging protests about the arrest of its House leader Sudip Bandhopadhyay and MP Tapas Pal, the lower House managed to only introduce the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Bill, 2017.
The Rajya Sabha, on the other hand saw discussions on two private Member Bills on Friday — one introduced by Tiruchi Siva of the DMK and another by independent MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Lok Sabha adjourned for the day.
8.50 pm: Tathagata Satpathy of BJD discusses drought: "We discuss drought only after it happens. Why can't we discuss in advance if we know it is going to hit?"
8.30 pm: N.K. Premchandran: For two and a half years Prime Minister have made speeches. But if we go by implementation, the govt. is yet to perform.
8.10 pm: E. T. Mohammed Basheer of IUML tries to make a comment on E. Ahmed’s death, but the speaker refuses to register it. “You can limit your speech for the President thank motion … You are making allegations… It is a sensitive thing,” the Speaker replies.
8.05 pm: “Why is the govt running away from debate?... Percentage of education to GDP should increase ... There are no funds for sports infrastructure,” Mr. Chautala says.
8.00 pm: Dushyant Chautala of INLD says, “In an attempt to get seats in Punjab, the BJP was ruining Haryana."
7.55 pm: " 58% of wealth is with 1% and 25% of people have negative wealth. That is why demonetisation and benami act were introduced," Mr. Joshi points out.
7.50 pm: " Rs. 170 crore in old notes and Rs. 46 lakh in new currency confiscated in Congress Minister’s house in Karnataka. (Karnataka Chief Minister) Siddaramaiah also involved," he says.
7.45 pm: " People have suffered, we aren't denying, but they have whole heartedly accepted the move (demonetisation)," Mr. Joshi says.
7.30 pm: Pralhad Joshi accuses Congress for Kashmir issue. He says, "If Kashmir problem still persists, it is because of wrong policies of Congress Govt."
7.15 pm: "Congress supported the surgical strike, but what has been the Centre's strategy for Pakistan after that?" Jyotiraditya M Scindia.
"Instead of investigating claims of low quality food and housing in the Army, you've jailed the jawan who raised issue," he added.
7.10 pm: "Government will tell us what questions to be asked; how to spend our money?, questions Jyotiraditya M Scindia.
6.55 pm: "For the whole country, you allocated only Rs 200 crore for 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao'. In Bengal alone, TMC allocated 1000 crore," Mr. Banerjee says.
Kalyan Banerjee of TMC asks the government that how much black money has been recovered? "If black money is recovered, we will support you," he adds.
6.40 pm: "PM has not given any package for farmers in Punjab. The State has done many sacrifices. Now, the farmers need help but the Centre is more focused on Digital India," says Bhagwant Mann of AAP.
Jose K Mani of KC(M) points out that the Centre has combined the Railway budget with the Financial budget without consulting with any House.
6.25 pm: Tariq Anwar of NCP questions government on why government hasn't acted on it's promise of youth employment.
"Demonetisation brought emergency in the country. Nation wants to know what the Centre has to say about the 125 people death due to demonetisation," says Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav RJD.
"Cashless is baseless, hopeless and completely meaningless," claims Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav.
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till tomorrow 11 a.m.
S.S. Ahluwalia: We had decided to conclude the questions and answers today itself. But, Today we can only conclude the questions. Tomorrow after the question hour we can start the reply.
Mallikarjun Kharge apologises for taking more time in debate and requests to exceed the discussion to 3 pm tomorrow.
Discussion continues. Makekapoti Rajamohan Reddy of YSRCP from Nellore continues speaking, says, "special category status to AP has not been granted yet, which was promised earlier."
"Government has promised that if elected in Uttar Pradesh, would help the farmers reeling under debt. Government is already in Maharashtra and yet no help provided to the state farmers," says Rajani Patil INC, Maharashtra.
We have always supported the Central government as we also need help from the Centre. But, whatever we have requested till now, we haven't got," AP Jithendra Reddy, TRS, says.
"While the opposition was against the demonetisation move, Telangana has been taking efforts to go cashless. First cashless village is in Telangana," he added.
"Co-ordination and co-operation with the State governments is needed for overall development of the country," Mr. Reddy continues.
Md Salim of CMI(M) says, "Inequality is the highest in our country. 1% population holds 58% of the wealth."
Joy Abraham , KC(M) Kerala, requests if the central government schemes can be translated from Hindi, as people who don't understand the language cannot understand the meaning of the schemes.
"I think Railway as a sector is neglected. There should be a separate Railway budget," he added.
Narasimham Thota of the TDP speaks next, and calls demonetisation a bold decision which has "short term costs and long term benefits."
Mr. Patel says all the government's schemes have been jammed. "Even direct benefit transfer has been jammed."
Anandrao Adsul Vithoba of the Shiv Sena speaks. "You always say the Shiv Sena is your big brother. But it isn't that if the younger brother has a bigger family, he becomes the elder."
"Bal Thackeray spoke against removing Narendra Modi as CM after 2002 riots. If that hadn't happened then, we wouldn't have the PM now."
Ahmed Patel of the Congress raises the issue of Rajiv Gandhi's name being removed from Sadbhavna Divas.
He also brings up the protests lodged by organisations for the disabled objecting to the use of the word 'divyang.' "The Centre speaks about doing a lot for the disabled, but there is nothing allocated under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill in the Budget."
He also states that the Defence Minister says that there are no plans to bring in women in combat roles, while the government speaks of empowering women.
"Why can't students of Kashmir come to Tamil Nadu and learn the language and the culture?" asks Mr. Mahtab. "The idea of Ek Bharat, Sresht Bharat given by Tathagata Sathpathy has found space in the President's speech."
He then speaks about the Mahanadi dispute. "Please stop construction on the Mahanadi in Chhattisgarh. Out of 30 districts, 15 districts get irrigation from Mahanadi."
Mr. Yechury says that demonetisation was done to bail out banks suffering from excessive NPAs. "This is like the bailout packages banks in the U.S. received."
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi says the government is fighting against black money and empowering poor people.
"We have demanded time and again for the government to reveal the names of big debtors," says Mr. Roy. "These people talk about fight against corruption." He goes on to speak about Sahara diaries.
Mr. Roy says the government has failed in all its schemes. "Intolerance is the biggest issue facing us. Rationalists were killed in Karnataka. Dalits were attacked in Gujarat. Jammu and Kashmir saw six months of violence after Burhan Wani's death. The President has not mentioned any of this."
Prahlad Joshi is in the Chair.
Bhartruhari Mahtab of the BJD begins speaking. "I thank the government for celebrating the 10th Guru, and commemorating Ramanujacharya, and the Champaran agitation."
"Respect of diversity is the strength of our country."
The PM came up with S.C.A.M., says Mr. Yechury. "But what it means is he's actually against Scheduled Categories And Minorities."
"Officially the BJP has claimed they hired 10,000 buses. Where did the money come from? There is no ceiling on political expenditure."
"Having 2.5 per cent charges of digital transactions gives money to companies like Visa and MasterCard."
Saugata Roy of the Trinamool Congress compares the President's address to Om Puri's Ardh Satya , because it ignores half the issues the country faces.
"The President's speech mentions the surgical strikes. But Pakistan-China nexus is not mentioned. The speech has mentioned demonetisation, but nothing about the people who died."
"You have destroyed the lives of poor people."
"The total number of credit and debit cards in this country is only 9 crore."
Mr. Roy speaks about Ministers' children getting having lavish weddings in times of demonetisation. "I want to know if they have managed the weddings within Rs. 2.5 lakh."
"This government is misusing the CBI. Just because Mamata Banerjee has spoken out against demonetisation, this government thinks they can cow us down. We will fight them on the pitches of India."
"After surgical strikes, the number of jawans who have died has doubled," says Sitaram Yechury. "There is an economic slowdown after demonetisation. Retail trade has fallen by as much as 75 per cent."
"In Raipur, you had farmers coming and distributing tomatoes for free. There are farmers selling their produce at half the minimum support price."
"I'm only giving you some examples. If this is the case with the informal sector, what is happening to manufacturing and industry? Every sector is showing a drop in sales and production. The Banaras saree, from the PM's constituency, is selling at half the price."
"This has resulted in a massive surge of unemployment."
The Economic Survey recommends more public investment, he says, but the Budget has instead contracted as a proportion of GDP. "What is this great boost that you speak of?"
On surgical strikes, Mr. Kharge says, "If we ask questions on surgical strikes, you question our patriotism. We are not questioning the forces. We are questioning you. Why didn't you do it earlier?"
He then reads out figures of girls enrolment in schools during UPA tenure. "They [the government] don't want discussion on anything."
He then reads out a Lincoln quote and concludes his speech.
Sharad Yadav says land of tribals is being taken away and the government remains unresponsive. "The government has many schemes but not everything reaches the people." He then quotes figures for representation of SC/ST/OBCs in institutions and universities.
Opposition bench retaliates with rule 352: A member while speaking shall not use his right of speech for the purpose of obstructing the business of the House.
Mr. Kharge continues. "Don't say your life is in danger," he tells the PM. "It makes us all worried. You are the leader of this country. Don't say such things for votes."
He begins speaking on digital economy. "How many people can access internet?" he asks.
Sanjay Seth of the Samajwadi Party is speaking now on the motion of thanks.
Basawaraj Patil is in the Chair. It is Sharad Yadav's turn to speak.
Mr. Kharge continues to speak on demonetisation. He reads out opinions of economists and experts on demonetisation.
"Former RBI governor Y.V. Reddy says those who have black money have already put it in gold, bitcoins etc. Only petty fortunes will be affected."
He cites the PM's speech in Goa after demonetisation asking for 50 days time.
Nishikant Dubey raises a point of order. He cites rule 356 of the Lok Sabha's code of conduct. The rule states: The Speaker, after having called the attention of the House to the conduct of a member who persists in irrelevance or in tedious repetition either of his own arguments or of the arguments used by other members in debate, may direct him to discontinue his speech.
"People everywhere are suffering due to demonetisation. They have lost jobs," says Mr. Kharge. "Why didn't you plan better for this?"
"How much black money have you recovered? You didn't consult your Finance Minister, your CEA." Interruptions abound.
"The government has not taken anyone into confidence. This is a first. The PM said everyone will get Rs. 15 lakh." Treasury benches protest.
"We have done three surgical strikes. But you chose to do publicity over it," says Mr. Shukla. "You made it seem like that was the first time it had happened. This was misleading."
"What is the alternate system to FIPB for clearances?" he asks.
Mr. Kharge continues. "There was no discussion on demonetisation in the last session. The opinion outside is that the Opposition stopped it from happening. We brought notice for discussion. We even appealed for the discussion to happen under any rule. But they were not ready for that."
"There was not even a reference made to the people who died in queues in this House. The least you should do is apologise to the people for this."
The people of the country support demonetisation, says Mr. Ganesan and concludes his speech.
Rajeev Shukla of the Congress begins speaking. "Over tea, MPs tell us effects of demonetisation, but outside they say all is well. Please tell the government what is happening on the ground."
He says cashless economy is a good move, but can't be done with a stick in hand. "Demonetisation has not been successful in eliminating terrorism or black money."
House reconvenes. Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien takes the Chair.
L. Ganesan of the BJP rises to speak on the motion of thanks to the President's address. "I am from Tamil Nadu. I don't know Hindi, but I will still attempt to speak in Hindi, because I am the MP from Madhya Pradesh."
He speaks on the girl child scheme.
"This year, you have allocated Rs. 48,000 crore. But this is too little. You should double it."
"You've given green and white revolution to Gujarat only in the past two and a half years. But we gave it to the country decades ago."
He says the current government operates in a state of "undeclared Emergency" where no one can criticise the government.
"No one from your side has died for the country." Disruption begins.
Mr. Kharge brings up the merger of the Rail Budget with the general Budget. "Why was a 92-year-old tradition done away with?"
He begins speaking about railway accidents. "You said more money will be spent on ensuring safety."
He then speaks about MGNREGS. "Mr. Jaitley has increased the allocation to the highest it has been. They have had reservations about this scheme. This MGNREGS is saving people during drought. Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh brought this in."
Mr. Singh also mentions the "56-inch chest."
"To oppose is democracy," he says.
Slogan shouting commences. Mr. Singh says the country is with the Prime Minister.
Amendments to the motion of thanks are to be sent to the table within 15 minutes now.
Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge rises to speak on the motion of thanks. "Dr. Mahesh Sharma and Virender Singh have spoken about the motion of thanks. People need to know the truth. Mr. Singh even acknowledged the need of an Opposition in democracy."
Mr. Singh continues, "We have improved the situation of farmers in our country."
He begins speaking about demonetisation. He says that demonetisation has stopped frivolous expenses.
"We are heading towards a digital economy. All steps are being taken to make India a great, developed nation. We request the Opposition not to do politics on issues of national security, unity and integrity."
Virender Singh begins speaking now. "If we were a communal people, we wouldn't have thought of world as our family. How can our government be called communal?"
Mr. Yadav continues to answer questions on Aadhaar cards reportedly being used to seek MGNREGS employment.
Piyush Goyal answers a question on solar energy generation. Question Hour comes to an end. House is adjourned till 2 p.m.
"We have got everything from tourism perspective," continues Mr. Sharma. "We have received Rs. 1.56 lakh crore of foreign currency. As opposed to the world's average of 4.6 per cent, tourism in India is growing at 15.6 per cent. We have set up free helplines for tourists in 12 languages. 60 per cent of ticketing is done online. Five places have been chosen as heritage sites by UNESCO."
"People would do politics on personalities like Ambedkar. Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar belong to the country, not a particular party or group. We released almost all files on Subhash Chandra Bose. Today, the situation is such that the Prime Minister has to mention in his speech that girls do not have access to toilets. 1.4 lakh villages are now open defecation free because of our efforts. You (Opposition) focused on corruption and politics, not on such issues. Demonetisation has been a very important step and so is the effort for digitisation."
"We have brought in stringent law for the corrupt and frauds who attempting to flee the country. 200 coal mines leased for Rs. 4 lakh crore, and the spectrum auction has brought in over Rs. 1 lakh crore. We increased customs duty on sugar to 40 per cent to help sugarcane farmers."
Hussain Dalwai of the Congress says that in Maharashtra OBC and Dalit students are not able to avail scholarships. Rao Inderjit Singh says that unemployment rate has increased across categories and not just for Scheduled Castes.
D. Raja asks a question on Aadhaar cards being made mandatory for rural poor to seeking MGNREGS employment. "Minister should know ground realities. People are being asked for these cards. Government is violating Supreme Court directives."
Ram Kripal Yadav, MoS Rural Development says that government has not asked for Aadhaar cards. Renuka Choudhary asks what action will be taken on officials demanding Aadhaar cards.
The Minister attributes the success of GST to the Prime Minister. "We are working to strengthen the national economy. 1,159 redundant laws that encouraged red tapism have been repealed. 400 more to go. We brought in schemes for sugarcane farmers, loan wavers, insurance for crop failures or destruction. Kisan credit cards are being converted into Rupay cards, irrigation schemes have been brought in. We have proposed Rs. 10 lakh crore loan to farmers. Earlier they would get money from private lenders at much higher rates. Under crop insurance schemes, funds doubled."
"Earlier there would be riots for fertilizers. Now, we have provided adequate fertilizers to farmers. Earlier, the farmers would suffer losses due to over production. Today, the government is making procurements. Opposition alleges that we are the government for the rich, are these programmes for the rich? 1.20 crore people voluntarily gave up gas subsidy. Nowhere in the world has this happened. Government has so far given free gas connection 1.5 crore households. We have not made any discrimination in giving gas connections. In total, 5 crore such gas connections will be given."
"4 crore youth are to be given skill development to ensure that they don't have to suffer for employment. Recruitment at class 3 and 4 posts will be done without interview or written test. We are preparing the youth to become job givers rather than being job seekers. A large number of employees would lose their EPF on changing jobs. We have given Universal IDs to ensure that they don't. For pregnant women receiving treatment from government hospitals, Rs. 6,000 is being given. Maternity leave will be doubled to 26 weeks. 56 lakh children have been vaccinated."
"Over Rs. 10,000 crore has been saved by distributing LED bulbs," says Mr. Sharma. "For success, what we need is a 56-inch chest and a heart within. We showed the determination to conduct surgical strikes, our soldiers came back safe. The Opposition sought proof of their patriotism. Where there is a question of national unity integrity and security, there should be no politics. There were a series or scams under the previous regime, the moment we came we set up an SIT. On November 8, we struck against black money. I thank the PM."
"In 1976, there was a Prime Minister who did not go ahead with demonetisation for electoral politics. Here is the Prime Minister who went ahead with it despite Assembly elections being two months away. We would have been happy had the Opposition been with us in the fight against the black money. So much unaccounted money has come into the banking system, and they will now be used in the nation's progress. They raised questions on this social welfare scheme. They alleged that it was implemented without giving any thought. 107 crore Aadhar card and over 26 crore bank accounts have been opened. People started getting new currency in 24 hours. Was this not part of the planning?"
"The entire nation stood behind the Prime Minister, but the Congress did not come along. The Opposition was waiting for us commit some blunder, but it did not happen. We are working for the benefit of the last man standing, the poor, the farmers, the youth, for the entire nation. Our schemes are not directed at any particularly section or community."
Tiruchi Siva of the DMK asks a question on the tribunal. "The final award of the Cauvery tribunal notified that the Board should be constituted."
House reconvenes. Speaker disallows all adjournment motions. No Zero Hour today.
Motion of thanks on President's speech is given by MoS Culture and Tourism, amid demands by the Trinamool Congress for time to raise questions. The party stages a walkout.
The Narendra Modi government will work for the better of the downtrodden, work for holistic growth of the people, says MoS Culture and Tourism. "Some politicians divided the society on the lines of caste and communities. People have now realised that such people cannot do anything good for the nation."
The Minister says the Congress would claim that the incumbent government is claiming success for the schemes launched under its rules, but, "You ruled for most of the 70 years, and could not implement the schemes. We expeditiously implemented the schemes."
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge objects.
Mahesh Sharma says, "Electrification in UP was done in 266 villages, but it is being implemented in 18,000 villages by us. 41.92 lakh people have been linked to pension scheme."
Question Hour begins
Chairman Hamid Ansari takes the Chair.
The first question is on thermal power plants. "Hydel power plants are not being encouraged," says Prem Chand Gupta of the RJD. Power Minister Piyush Goyal responds saying there is no proposal to discontinue hydel power plants. "Older plants will be phased out and replaced by new ones. NTPC is coming up with new super-critical technology for power plants."
"Even after projects are completely finalised, they are unable to take off."
D. Raja asks a question on inter-state river water disputes. "Cauvery water dispute issue went to Supreme Court. Why are you not considering to constitute the Cauvery Water Management Board?"
Mr. Goyal says the matter is pending in the Supreme Court. "There is no time frame for these disputes."
Chair says the House can have a discussion on this issue in the next session if someone gives notice.
Special mentions are on now. K.C. Ramamurthy of the Congress brings up gender inequality in India. "India ranks 146 in the world as far as gender equality is concerned."
Chair remarks that this has been a productive hour.
Anand Sharma of the Congress says that the Budget has to be passed before March 31. "16 hours have been allocated for this. It would only be fair that the discussion starts and continues." He also raises the H1B issue.
Chair says maligning of police forces will not be recorded. "Faults by individuals cannot be used to malign whole force."
Commotion breaks out.
Somaprasad of the CPI(M) says,"Government should enhance import duty of titanium dioxide. Public sector units have been closed down." K.K. Ragesh of the CPI(M) asks for an increase in the import duty too.
Joy Abraham of the CPI(M) rises to speak about a captured Catholic priest in Yemen. Chair asks Mr. Naqvi to pass on the concerns with the External Affairs Ministry.
Vivek Gupta of the Trinamool speaks on the case of the missing JNU student Najeeb. "Is Najeeb just a missing person statistic? It's a clear case of political vendetta. I request Centre to commission a CBI inquiry."
Mohammed Nadimul Haque says that former sports persons are not being honoured. "I would like to bring to the notice of the House the poor financial conditions of former sports persons."
Sharad Yadav speaks on junior engineers not getting promotions in the Railways. "They are being harassed and discriminated against. Railway accidents are increasing. This discrimination needs to be addressed to increase safety."
Pratap Singh Bajwa of the Congress raises difficulties faced by BSF personnel. "It's a matter of shame that our jawans don't have a proper redressal system. There is an issue of salary. They draw less money than their army compatriots." Rajeev Shukla asks the Home Minister to make a statement in Parliament on this.
Derek O'Brien of the Trinamool Congress speaks on the H1B visa issue. "We need to protect our IT companies."
B.K. Hariprasad of the Congress raises the issue of rape of tribal women in Bastar by police personnel. "It is a barbaric and beastly act by police officers there. One of the top police officers has been recommeneded for President's award."
Venkaiah Naidu, Urban Development Minister responds saying those who raise such issues sympathise with Maoists. "Zero Hour is not to defame the forces. Let those who sympathise with Naxalites declare their stand openly. Chhattisgarh is one of India's best performing states."
House convenes. Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien takes the Chair. Papers are laid on the table.
Ali Anwar Ansari of the JD(U) says that female students in the Banaras Hindu University are discriminated against. "They are not allowed to access the internet. There is also discrimination against OBC and Dalit students."
Parliamentary Affairs MoS Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi says, "Universities have their own autonomy. If there is a specific event or incident, let us know and we will take action." Chair asks HRD Ministry to look into the issue.
T. Subbarami Reddy of the Congress rises to speak about forest fires, and asks for a white paper from the Environment Ministry and frame a national policy on the same.
House convenes. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan takes the Chair. Obituary references are made.
Question Hour begins
As Question Hour commences, almost immediately there are shouts from Members.
Some members gather at the well of the House on the E. Ahamed death issue. Speaker objects to the protests and adjourns the House till noon.
Both Houses have, as yet, not listed any Bills for introduction or passage on Monday. Instead, there is a discussion on the motion of thanks to the President's address to the joint session.
