Here are the latest updates of Parliament proceedings for the day.
Latest updates:
7.19 p.m.: Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day.
7.18 p.m.: Reviving the electronic manufacturing hub at Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu - I lay it on the table, says V. Maitreyan.
7.13 p.m.: Rajya Sabha passes Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill.
7.09 p.m.: "If the property is outside the country, it will come under the Blackmoney law."
7.08 p.m.: "Four layers of officers and an Appeal tribunal has been created since this is a major power. When the govt takes over the state, if there is misuse of power, it will be subject to an appeal by the tribunal," says Jaitley.
7.07 p.m.: The Finance Minister says, "Properties in tribal areas, etc., now there is no provision to exempt those properties under the Benami Act. But the power to emempt the operation of the central law in a scheduled area is with the Governor of the State."
7.04 p.m.: Arun Jaitley, Minister of Finance says, "Prior to 1988, Benami transactions were permitted. By virtue of the 1988 Act, the provisions for the same, were repealed."
6.57 p.m.: "Legislation at best can give you legitimacy. It cannot ensure you that something has come into vogue. It is the time of rule-making," says K. Keshava Rao.
6.54 p.m.: "In Telangana, we have passed an order to regularise all the Benami transactions," says K. Keshava Rao.
6.51 p.m.: Dr. K. Keshava Rao, TRS, Andhra Pradesh says, "In a rural situation, an ordinary farmer, the moment he sees an officer, he will be dumbfounded, he will not say anything. Land transactions would constitute 50% of Benami activities."
6.44 p.m.: "Amendments to the Benami Act will ensure that dishonest people will get caught," says Naresh Gujral of SAD, Punjab.
6.31 p.m.: Lok Sabha adjourned for the day.
6.30 p.m.: "We make amendments after amendments. This should be last amendment that we make. I hope atleast now this Act will ensure that Benami transactions will be put to an end and moreover, I accept almost all your recommendations and I would request you that the adjudicating authority can be appointed for each state. If it is not possible, atleast for one region," says R.S. Bharathi of DMK, Tamil Nadu in Rajya Sabha.
"I would also like to suggest that all details of Benami properties seized should be tabled and MPs should be informed."
6.28 p.m.: Munquad Ali of BSP, Uttar Pradesh says, "Zamindari is not prevalent in the country, but many lands are being owned by people which in turn reflects upon the poorer sections of the society."
"Many poorer families do not have proper documents of their houses. The govt should concentrate on the betterment of SC/ST families."
6.20 p.m.: "The Act of 1988 had categorically made the provision to prohibit Benami transaction and right to recover Benami property but incidentally no provision for vesting the property with the government was there when there was no appelate mechanism and no power conferred to civil court authorities. There was no rule making provision, now the question is what was the problem? I fail to understand, why for so long the rules were not framed," says Ritabrata Banerjee, CPI(M), West Bengal.
6.09 p.m.: N.K. Premachandran of RSP, Kollam says The very purpose of PM's Grameen Sadak Yojana is lost. The criteria in selecting the roads has to be in consultation with the MP."
"Phase I in Kerala has been completed. The Phase II is pending before the ministry that is to be sanctioned. All the roads that weren't a part of Phase I have to be compensated. We are demanding 2000 km of roads under PMGSY."
6.02 p.m.: Vivek Gupta, AITC, West Bengal says, "Most of the country's records aren't digitised. There is no clarification from known sources."
5.56 p.m.: A. Vijayakumar of AIADMK, Tamil Nadu says in Rajya Sabha, "The crux of the whole problem of the Benami transaction lies in the transaction being recorded in the name of the perso who are not their beneficial owners. To eliminate this, the committee desires that certain amendments in the Acts should be made. Linkage of PAN number and Aadhaar number should be made."
5.45 p.m.: In Lok Sabha, Dushyant Chautala of INLD, Hissar, Haryana said, "Will the govt help states like Haryana, Punjab or Rajasthan? Every village needs integrated water management programmes."
5.19 p.m.: Says Shamsher Singh Dullo of INC, Punjab, "Government should check share markets and details of all offshore accounts, to make sure that all the blackmoney doesn't affect the country's economy."
5.10 p.m.: Rajya Sabha passes Indian Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
5.04 p.m.: Prakash Javadekar says, I am happy to report, that IITs has filed more than 700 patents and secured over 150 of them. We must attract more foreign students. Under Gyaan scheme, more than 240 courses have been conducted in the last 2 years.
5.04 p.m.: No new national projects have been given to the northeast by the government, says Gaurav Gogoi, of Kaliabor, Assam. "The projects in northeast should be given top priority."
5.01 p.m.: With the Railways, we can improve the state. We can even bring in a PPP model to implement for better development, says Sudheer Gupta, BJP, Mandsour (Madhya Pradesh) in Lok Sabha.
4.57 p.m.: "SC/ST students should not pay a single paisa at the time of admission. Fees have been reduced for all the students whose income is less. The fees have increased only for students whose annual income is more than 9 lakh rupees," says Javadekar in Rajya Sabha.
4.52 p.m.: There will be no budget restrictions to the growth of IITs, says Prakash Javadekar, Minister of Human Ressource Development.
"The important issue is faculty. We've to take proactive measures, including video interviews and there are annual interviews of faculties from all over the world."
4.43 p.m.: IITs should be freed from ministries. Give full autonomy and hold them accountable says Jairam Ramesh, INC, Karnataka. The single problem in IITs is the MHRD control.
The Speaker was of the opinion that there was no room for intervention from the ministry.
4.40 p.m.: Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav, RJD, Banka (Bihar), says, "Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar's works during their time, need to be developed for betterment."
4.33 p.m.: D. Raja, CPI, Tamil Nadu, talks about financial assistance to students among other issues. "The fellowship doesn't have a timely payment facility and there is social discrimination in IITs. Even PhD students weren't given the degree on time. IITs should be available to all sections of the society."
4.29 p.m.: Dharmendra Yadav of SP, Badaun, Uttar Pradesh says in LS, "UP needs a lot of improvement when it comes to its Rail networks. The state hasn't got any development so far."
4.15 p.m.: Sathyabhama of AIADMK, Tirupur, speaks in Lok Sabha on Railway committee report, "There is a need of CCTV cameras in railway station, this is the need of the hour."
"I request all trains to stop at Tirupur for 5 minutes since it is a major textile hub."
4.06 p.m.: In his maiden speech in Rajya Sabha, N. Gokulakrishnan of AIADMK, Puducherry praised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. "I welcome the IIT Amendment Bill 2016. Puducherry has many institutions of national importance. Govt of Puducherry will extend all help in this regard," he said.
3.50 p.m.: Vishambhar Prasad Nishad, UPA, Uttar Pradesh says, "All students should stay in India even after studies. This may help this country."
3.45 p.m.: M.V. Rajeev Gowda, INC, Karnataka says in Rajya Sabha, "We need to reach out to the alumni of educational institutions to contribute. We need to breach the cultures and we need to understand the complexities of the society. We could be the educational hub of the world. We need to bring in foreign students and faculties and vice-versa."
3.27 p.m.: Ahmed Patel asks the Minister if the govt can give minimum guarantee to workers.
3.22 p.m.: "I am not capitalist or socialist. I am pro-workers and pro-poor."
3.15 p.m.: Bandaru Dattatreya says that investments will be in exchange traded funds, not the stock market itself.
3.03 p.m.: Jayant Sinha says that companies listed in the BSE and NSE are the pride of India including public sector companies.
2.56 p.m.: Rajiv Shukla asks the govt why it didn't explore other options.
2.48 p.m.: K.T.S. Tulsi, "Workers don't know much about investment. They didn't know the fine print. All trade unions are opposed to investment of EPF money in markets."
2.43 p.m.: Arun Jaitley says that the govt stands by the commitments it made in supporting AP to the fullest. "I had a discussion with the AP Chief Minister and we will work towards a solution." Ananth Kumar asks protesting MPs to take the Finance Minister at his word and give the govt enough time.
2.42 p.m.: Lok Sabha reconvenes and discussion is on about the gocernment resolution regarding the recommendations of the Railway Convention Committee.
2.36 p.m.: Derek O'Brien says that the GST Bill that was circulated today is not what was passed by the Lok Sabha.
2.30 p.m.: Vijila Satyananth of the AIADMK says, "Nowhere is it allowed for EPF money to be diverted to equity. We are concerned about the safety of EPF money. This cannot be taken away from workers."
2.25 p.m.: T.K.S. Elangovan of the DMK also adds that they oppose the investment of EPF money in stock markets. He asks the Labour Minister to not go by the notifications of the Finance Ministry.
2.18 p.m.: D. Raja of the CPI speaks on the EPF money being invested in the stock market. "Govt. should not gamble with workers' money." Derek O'Brien adds: "The root of the problem is that you've tried to use the American Model. This doesn't work in India."
1.35 p.m.: Lok Sabha adjourned till 2.35 p.m.
1.15 p.m.: Gourav Gogoi from Assam Congress asks about river bank erosion in the Brahmaputra. "Is cleaning the Ganga more important for this govt., or saving the people of Brahmaputra?"
1 p.m.: Rajya Sabha is adjourned for lunch till 2 p.m.
12.59 p.m.: Mallikarjun Kharge asks that the issue of special status for AP be included in tomorrow's agenda. Speaker agrees.
12.57 p.m.: Raghav Lakhanpal of the BJP raises the issue of the Bulandshahr rape and asks for a highway patrol in ever state.
12.54 p.m.: Revati Raman Singh asks for Boeing jets in the Allahabad airport. Mr. Sinha replies that the govt will consult with private airlines and Air India.
12.50 p.m.: AIADMK's Muthukaruppan asks a question on the expansion of the Thoothukudi airport. Jayant Sinha says the govt is waiting for land acquisition from the state.
12.48 p.m.: Private sector faces constraints thanks to low oil prices, says Mr. Sinha. "Mumbai airport is getting quite congested. These are the constraints we are dealing with."
12.45 p.m.: BJP MP Mahesh Girri and SAD MP Prem Singh Chandumajra have written to Lok Sabha Speaker asking her to send AAP MP Bhagwant Mann to a rehab centre.
12.45 p.m.: Jayant Sinha says that the govt has a number of schemes for regional airports.
12.42 p.m.: Lok Sabha adjournment extended to 12.45 p.m.
12:32 pm: Jayant Sinha replies to the security question at airports,"The other airports are secured by highly trained CRPF personnel and state police"
12:30 pm: K.K.Ragesh of the CPI(M) says, "Airports are vital targets of terrorists. Many airports not being secured by CISF." Asks for a dedicated force for airports security.
12.25 p.m.: S.N. Jatiya asks, "On the 125th anniversary of Ambedkar, will you bring currency notes on him?" Arjun Ram Meghwal responds that on his death anniversary, two Ambedkar coins were brought into circulation. He wants to know that with the Mahatma Gandhi picture on a currency note, can Ambedkar's picture come? UPA had decided that no other picture with Gandhi was required.
12.19 p.m.: Praful Patel says all sports have huge fund shortages. "We have limited resources. CSR is a good step. Will you set up a national training centre for football?" Mr. Goel says, "We will have global youth tournament next year. We will also form an academy."
12.15 p.m.: Lok Sabha adjourned until 12.30 p.m.
12.08 p.m.: M.C. Mary Kom adds that sportspersons face a lot of diffculty in facilities, training and diet. "We don't get diet during training sessions." Mr. Goel replies that the govt is spending upto Rs. 1 crore on each player for the Olympics. "Apart from the Finance Ministry, we will also try for fnding from NRIs."
12.04 p.m.: Dilip Tirkey brings up the issue of a small budget for sports. "BCCI gets huge sponsorships for one game. Good for them. But what about other sports? Please support them." Sports Minister Vijay Goel replies that the govt needs to support sports more. "We want to fund rural sports. We have Rs. 143 crore in our national sports funds. It is low. We want to promote all sports for 2020 Tokyo Olympics. We will make special arrangements for players."
Mr. Tirkey responds that we don't monitor school, college, corporate or tribal sports. Mr. Goel says, "With the help of FIFA, we are going to send coaches to 25,000 schools."
12.02 p.m.: Pinaki Misra raised his concern over fast shrinking agricultural land and seeks an answer from the concerned Minister. Radha Mohan Singh replies that the government is setting up new schemes that bolsters farmers training in biotechnology and agriculture.
12.01 p.m.: Dilip Tirkey (BJD): Lightning killed 52 ppl in Odisha on sunday. This is unprecedented. 200 people died within months. It may be due to climate change. There should be a way to forewarn people. They should be given assistance. Sharad Yadav adds that govt should talk to scientists to find a way out of lightning deaths.
11.57 a.m.: Rajiv Shukla: We need to fix standards and tenure for the RBI Governor. U.S. and U.K. central banks have governors for four and eight years respectively. The world average is five or six years. Tenure in India should be four years. Now IAS officer or economist or banker or anyone can become RBI governor. Qualifications should be set. This time, he left because of political controversy. This affects business, industry.
11.52 a.m.: Surendra Singh Nagar of the SP says UP does not have enough airports. Akhilesh Yadav govt has sent proposal for Jewar airport near Delhi. It is on proposed metro track. It can relieve Delhi airport rush. Agra airport proposal too has been sent. Ram Gopal Yadav says it is very important. UP govt. will cooperate, he says.
11.45 a.m.: Shashi Tharoor argues that consumer awareness about milk adulteration is shockingly low and whether the government is trying to change it for good. In response, C.K. Chaudhry said the government has set up a helpline in every state.
11.40 a.m.: Revati Raman Singh of the Samajwadi Party says,"In 2014 the govt spoke of Swachch Bharat. 50 lakh toilets are being used as store rooms. The govt. should have implemented properly. Children suffer, specially SC children. They fall ill. Children suffer, specially SC children. They fall ill."
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi responds that an important issue has been raised. "The scheme is becoming successful, but the govt. will look into what he has said."
11.32 a.m.: Assam Congress' Ripun Bora speaks on the Assam floods and says that the state govt . and the Centre haven't given adequate relief. "Home Minister visited Assam for just two hours. This is the seriousness with which this govt. sees the floods."
11.28 a.m.: Ananda Bhaskar Rapolu of Telangana Congress speaks for a separate High Court for Andhra Pradesh. "Let the court complex in Vijayawada be allocated to the High Court of Andhra Pradesh."
11.28 a.m.: Copies of GST Bill are in the lobby, says Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien.
11.26 a.m.: The Congress' Shantaram Naik wants to bring a breach of privilege notice against Dr. Subramanian Swamy for making "making statements against Congress leadership without authenticating the documents."
11.21 a.m.: Vivek Gupta of TMC: There is an alleged move to benefit new Assam govt by shifting tea board from Kolkata to Guwahati.
11.21 a.m.: Congress MP Ravneet Singh said that farmers in Punjab are struggling to deal with safed makhi (white fly) attack on their crops and the government seemed uninterested in finding scientific response to it.
11.19 a.m.: Sukhendu Sekhar Roy of the TMC asks the govt. to explain the reason for an increase in kerosene prices. Govt. doesn't respond as the question hasn't been listed.
11.15 a.m.: Naresh Agarwal (SP) says MPs have not yet got amended GST Bill. Govt. responds saying it had been circulated last year. Satyavrat Chaturvedi of the COngress says, "There are new members too have not seen old bill."
11.11 a.m.: Congress' Digvijaya in Rajya Sabha: "Govt. does not know whether four or six terrorists came to Pathankot. When Home Minister goes there, it is an embarrassment."
11.10 a.m.: Debate on conservation of biodiversity starts in Lok Sabha amid slogans. Responding to whether the government is keen on saving Western Ghats, MoS Anil Madhav Dave said the government will soon consult all the MPs of Western Ghats for their suggestions. The focus of the government is to secure the environment along the Western Ghats while bringing in development as well.
