Lok Sabha passes HIV Bill

Members in both Houses of Parliament condemn Pakistan's act in unison.

April 11, 2017 11:07 am | Updated 06:09 pm IST

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj makes a statement on Kulbhushan  Jhadav, an Indian sentenced to death by Pakistan military court.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj makes a statement on Kulbhushan Jhadav, an Indian sentenced to death by Pakistan military court.

Parliament met on Tuesday, penultimate day of the Budget session, and as soon as the Lok Sabha assembled, members raised the issue of Pakistan sentencing Indian national Kulbushan Jadhav to death. The House stood united in condemning Pakistan and sought to know the steps taken by the government.

In the Rajya Sabha and later in the Lok Sabha too, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made a statement on Jadhav's conviction.

List of Business for the day

Lok Sabha

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2017.

The Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

Discussion on Sustainable Development Goals on Health Care

Rajya Sabha

Calling Attention to call the attention of the Minister of Planning to the need of convening a meeting of the National Development Council to discuss the necessity for continuance of the concept of Special Category Status.

Bill for Withdrawal: The Tribunals, Appellate Tribunals and Other Authorities (Conditions of Service) Bill, 2014.

Bills for consideration and passing:

The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2017.

The Footwear Design and Development Institute Bill, 2017.

The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013.

 

Live updates:

6.10 p.m.: The Collection of Statistics Amendment Bill  passed by Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha adjourned till 11 a.m. tomorrow.

6.00 p.m.: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 a.m. tomorrow.

5.30 p.m.: In Rajya Sabha, TKS Elangovan of the DMK says, "When the DMK government was in power in Tamil Nadu, welfare boards were created to provide education for children of workers."

TKS Elangovan (DMK), "DMK govt in TN had formed WelfareBoards that provided for the education of the children and health of workers." RS

4.50 p.m.: Lok Sabha passes HIV & AIDS Prevention and Control Bill.

4.30 p.m.: Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda replies to HIV Bill debate in Lok Saba,"AIDS has reduced by 54%. Our ART programme has reached 10 lakh people. 2.9 crore regular tests are being undertaken and 1.3 crore pregnant women are tested annually."

4.20 p.m.:  In Rajya Sabha, Satyanarayan Jatiya of the BJP speaks about the Factories Bill,"We can form a Labour Commission to streamline all labour laws. "

4.00 p.m.: Dr. Shrikant Shinde from Maharshtra speaks in Lok Sabha about the HIV Bill," We should strengthen our clinice and hospitals. ART should be available to every HIV infected person."

3.45 p.m.: Dr. Heena Gavit from Maharashtra in Lok Sabha speaks about the HIV Bill, "There should be ventilators available in all hospitals that may be used for HIV patients. It is imp-ortant to educate children about these diseases. It should be included in curriculum of students."

3.30 p.m.: In Rajya Sabha, the Motor Vehicles Bill is next on the agenda. The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha. The Chair, Leader of Opposition and Ministers agree to take up the discussion of the Bill tomorrow.  Now, the RS takes ups Factories Bill 2016 for discussion.

3.15 p.m.: Minister I nderjit Singh says in Rajya Sabha that the National Development Council had once approved the special category status for a few states. "But this was not done for Andhra Pradesh."

2.30 p.m.: Dr. Ratna Nag talks about the HIV Bill in Lok Sabha

2.15 p.m.: Rajya Sabha takes up Calling Attention motion on convening National Development Council and concept of Special Category Status. 

T. Subbarani Reddy of Congress says special status should be given to Andhra Pradesh due to special circumstances. 

1:18 pm: Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm.

1:17 pm: Prem Chand Chandumaraja says Punjabis were neglected in the Sound and Lights Show in Cellular Jail. Minister Ananth Kumar says the issue will be looked into.

1:10 pm: Members from Kerala say MNREGA wages were not settled yet for thousands of labourers.  Minister Ananth Kumar says he will bring the issue with Rural Welfare Minister.

1:05 pm: Deputy Speaker Thambidurai is rushing with Zero Hour as the House has to be adjourned now.

Some issue raised are making Poorna, the tribal girl who scaled Mt. Everest as the ambassador for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao; Bharat Ratna to Jyotiba Phule, exemption to Tamil Nadu from NEET, shell companies in Bengal.

 

1:00 pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm.

12:55 pm: Naresh Agrawal asks the number of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes printed by RBI prior to demonetisation and the number of demonetised notes received after note ban. 

Mr. Jaitley says it is not about quantum of currency notes. The Reserve Bank is verifying the demonetises notes. It will come up with the numbers once the counting is over.

On Indian currency stashed abroad, the government does not have the right estimate. We are pursuing cases related to HSBC, Panama Papers or any information received, says Mr. Jaitley. 

12:50 pm: Madhusudhan Mistry asks if smart cities will have land earmarked for sports infrastructure. MoS Vijay Goel says the parameters for Smart City varies. Only four cities out of 60 selected cities have included sports as a criteria.

12:40 pm: What is government doing to wilful defaulters, asks D. Raja. Every NPA is not a wilful default, says Mr. Jaitley. There is no provisions to have secrecy in wilful defaulters. Their names and photos are published in newspapers and criminal proceedings have been initiated, says the Financial Minister.

12:35 pm: Vijaysai Reddy says credit growth is sluggish. Mr. Jaitley says bonds have seen significant revival. There have been marginal cuts in rates by banks essentially because of excess liquidity, he says.

12:30 pm: Sanjay Raut asks in Rajya Sabha. Demonetisation is a game-changer as per the govt but not on the ground. Credit growth is not impressive. Employment is stagnant. What is the government doing?

Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar  says credit growth is growing. Demonetisation was a brave decision.

Mr. Raut goes on to say people expected interest rate cuts after demonetisation. But money is lying in banks but no demand.

"We are getting good economic cues. Demonetisation is successful, you will soon realise," Mr. Gangwar says.

12:25 pm: Sushma Swaraj is making statement on Kulbhushan Jadhav in Lok Sabha.

The entire country is worried for Jadhav, she says.

Mr. Jadhav was doing a business in Iran and he was abducted and taken to Pakistan. We sought counselor access but we were denied. That itself should tell us much about Pakistan, she says.

It is extraordinary that a decision on death sentence was announced when previous exchanges, she says.

We are extending fullest support to Jadhav's parents, she says.

 

12:20 pm: To a question on debt restructuring in public sector banks, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley says NPA are being written off and thus waived by banks and Centre has got nothing to do with it. He says banks need to be allowed to take their commercial decisions in their best interests.

12:15 pm: Zero Hour in Lok Sabha. Vinayak Raut raises the issue of Monkey Fever being reported in Sindhudurg.

S P M Gowda says the pattern of examination is frequently being changed. This is causing hardship to especially rural children. Such students must be provided with two compensatory attempts.

12:05 pm: Papers are being laid in Lok Sabha.

12:02 pm: Question Hour begins in Rajya Sabha. Questions pertaining NEET are being answered.

12:02 pm: In Lok Sabha, Question Hour ends.

Baijayant Panda says we get standard responses from government on attacks against journalists, fact is that we need new laws, as current laws not sufficient, would you consider modernising the rules to address the issue.

MoS Ahir says there is no proposal for amdnements to existing laws, despite that if opportunity comes changes can be brought in.

11:58 am: Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad asks if the government will fight the case in Pakistan's Supreme Court. Ms. Swaraj says, "we will do more. We will take it up with the (Pakistan) President."

11:50 am: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj makes statement on Kulbhushan Jhadav in Rajya Sabha.

Jadhav was awarded death sentence in Pakistan on concocted charges, she says.

He was abducted from Iran. We were denied consular access. That itself tells us much, she says.

A senior Pakistan leader himself expressed doubt about adequacy of evidence. Yet, death sentence awarded. The alleged proceedings had farcical nature, she says.

He is innocent. They seek through him to cast aspersions in India to hide their own role in terror. It is premeditated murder, she adds

"I caution Pakistan govt to consider the implications on our bilateral terms," she says.

11:42 am: Ritabrata Banerjee of CPI(M) says Cellular Jail should be made a national monument. He alleges the names of Communists who took part in freedom struggle are categorically hidden by government.

Sitaram Yechury says the Sound and Light Show in Cellular Jail , Andamans, s distorting history and is highlighting "one individual". "I have seen the light and sound show there. The script there falsifies the freedom struggle and focuses on one man who later compromised with the British," says Mr. Yechury.

11:40 am: In Rajya Sabha, Hussain Dalwai questions on Haj subsidy. Minister Naqvi says Supreme Court wanted Haj subsidy to get over, but we are trying that hajis should not face problems.

11:35 am: Question hour begins in Lok Sabha. Members are raising questions pertaining to attacks on journalists.

MoS Home, Hansraj Ahir. responds saying in 2014-15, there was a decline, 114 incidents were reported and 115 arrested in 2014, 28 reported in 2015, 41 arrested. Central government does not interfere in State government issues.

Member asks what steps being taken to safeguards the interest of families of journalists killed.Minister says the organisations in which they work give compensation, no mechanism for compensation by government.

11:32 am: Home Minister Rajnath Singh makes a statement regarding Kulbhushan Jhadav.

"We are all in the House have not only expressed concern but anguish, the Pakistan decision to sentence him to death has all the Indians concerned. He used to do small business in Tehran. In March 2016 Pakistan security agencies kidnapped him and to Pakistanis he was projected as an Indian spy. A valid Indian passport was found in his possession how can he be a spy? Despite repeated request for counselor access, but was not allowed. I condemn it as an illegal act against the norms of the rule of law and international convension. Whatever has to be done to do justice with Kulbhushan would be done by the government. External Affairs Minister will give a detailed reply on the issue afternoon."

 

11:30 am: In Lok Sabha, Shashi Tharoor speaks. "It is an assault on the international laws and convention, those countries must be told that today it has happened to india, it might Geneva convention has been violated, serious matter of global resonance, I support the Indian government."

11:25 am: In the meantime, a look at what is happening in Rajya Sabha.

Vice President Hamid Ansari read out a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on the sidelines of 100 years of Champaran Movement.

Derek O'Brein suggested the Backward Commission Bill should be sent to a select committee.

Digvijaya Singh asks when his substantive motion will be taken up as the House is closing tomorrow.

Pramod Tiwari raised Tarun Vijay's remarks without naming him.

Tiruchi Siva and Sitaram Yechury raised the issue of Tamil Nadu farmers protesting in the National Capital.

Why does a govt representative not meet them?, asks Deputy Chairman Kurien. Minister Mukthar Abbas Naqvi assures that he will take it up with the concerned ministry.

Naresh Agrawal raises Kulbhushan Jadhav issue.

11:24 am: The entire nation behind him, here judiciary playing to the gallery, how did we treat Ajmal kasab, we gave him all legal assistance, says another member.

11:22 am: Pakistan had become a terrorist state, we have been suffering..we are trying for a peaceful atmosphere even Indians living there are not safe death sentence to Kulbhushan Yadav is illegal, unethical I request our embassy to take all measures to save him, says Thambi Durai, the deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.

11:21 am: Tariq Anwar, any civilized society would not accept this,the way he has been treated, Indian government should raise the issue on international level, this issue concerns all India's, we should oppose it with full might.

11:20 am: Premachandran says after his arrest, 13 attempts were made international convention is very clear, violation of principle of natural justice, I condemn thr illegal and arbitrary act of Pakistan. He has been tried under the provisions, in which he has right of Defence, but not given. I support Indian government's stand that it is pre mediated murder by pakistan army. Last one year he was in Pakistan jail, but we could not much, we could have built a public consensus for international pressure.

11:19 am: He is a Satara resident, his relatives are in touch with government, which has several times talk to Pakistan, but to no avail, but pakistan is such a country that same treatment must be meted out. I welcome Indian government's decision to stop the release of Pakistani prisoners, says  Vinayak Raut.

11:18 am: The whole nation is with Kulbhushan Jhadav, a matter of nation's pride, what kind of justice does Pakistan provide to its citizens and our citizens, there should be rule of law, it is an unlawful act against india, it's citizens, says a CPI(M) member.

11:17 am: He is a Satara resident, his relatives are in touch with government, which has several times talk to Pakistan, but to no avail, but pakistan is such a country that same treatment must be meted out. I welcome Indian government's decision to stop the release of Pakistani prisoners, says  Vinayak Raut

11:16 am: "This is the issue on which the whole House is united. Pakistan is not a normal country. Foreign policy is run by military not by the government there, especially in relations with India wants to destabilise. We should take the matter to world court, UN," says Mr. Panda of BJD.

11:15 am: Saugata Roy (TMC) says he joins the other members in condemning Pakistan's action of giving death sentence to Kulbhushan Jhadav. Trial was done secretly in military court, it has not produced any evidence against him. It is said he was arrested in Tehran, he was a retired naval officer and He was involved in legitimate business.

Had he been involved in spy activities he would not have been carrying an Indian passport. We understand that MEA has issued a de Marche. The government must realise that the whole country is behind him, says Dr. Roy.

11:14 am: Pakistan is operating terror factory. Despite warnings, it is not going to mend its ways. The same happened with Sarabjeet, on false charges Kulbhushan has been sentenced to death. They give shelter and safe haven to terrorists, says an RJD member.

11:13 am: Asaduddin Owaisi says all should work together to save him. "Pakistan's military court is a kangaroo court without evidence they have convicted him. I request the government that you have influence why don't you exercise your influence at the international level to save him and bring him back."

11:10 am: BJP member Nishikant Dubey says he thought all would stand together for Kulbhushan, but had not expected this from Congress, our government has on international forum sidelined Pakistan, where there is no semblance of law. When all countries are together against Pakistan, Modi government attempted 13 times, but he was not given counselor access, I demand from government to declare pakistan a terror state and pass a resolution.

11:06 am: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar objects to Mr. Kharge's references. He accuses Congress of indulging in politics. "Please do not do like this, we are all with Kulbhushan Jhadav," he says.

11:05 am: Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge says all are worried. "The country is worried, March 2016 the Pakistan had arrested former naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, has sentenced him to death, ICPR has in a statement said he was a RAW spy, which is a lie, but he is being put to death.

"Why the government is quiet on this? He was kidnapped from Nepal. He was not given Embassy access, in such circumstances it is not a fair trial and is a murder. In one year, Indan government tried 13 times to meet him, but was not allowed.

"Indian government had offered to see evidence, they have violated.

"Without invitation, you go to Pakistan to attend marriage function, why could not you take up the issue, if you fail to save him, it would be your failure," says Mr. Kharge

11:00 am: Lok Sabha proceedings begin. Congress members raise the issue of a Pakistan military court sentencing Kulbhushan Jadhav to death alleging that he was India's spy.

(With inputs from Devesh K. Pandey and Vikas Pathak)

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