Former Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu took over as Rajya Sabha Chairman on Friday on the last day of the Monsoon session of the Parliament, after being sworn-in as the Vice President of India.
Both Houses adjourned sine die on Friday, after a smooth Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.
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1.15 pm |Rajya Sabha
P.J. Kurien takes over the Chair. Members of the House lay their papers on the table.
Chairman Naidu gives us a summary of the House proceedings this Monsoon session.
18+ sittings, more than 78 functioning hours.
Two new members from Goa and Madhya Pradesh, warm farewell to 10 members and an emotional farewell to former vice president Hamid Ansari.
Two sitting members of House and 11 former members passed away.
The Question Hour proceeded on 11 out of 18 scheduled days. 46 questions were orally answered, with 187 supplementaries. There were 77 submissions during zero hour and 87 special mentions
Nine government bills introduced, two withdrawn; three short duration discussions and two calling attention motions taken up.
As Mr. Naidu wraps up, the national anthem is played.
Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die.
12.55 pm | Rajya Sabha
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu speaks.
"I am from a small village. Son of a farmer. I've had a long journey and finally, inspite of my humble background, keeping in view the responsibilities cast upon me, I will try to do my best. I feel humbled by the honour given to me and I am grateful to all concerned for giving me such great support," says Mr. Naidu.
"Now there will be no more talk of parties. Now, I'm an all party man, above the talk of party politics. I will be the person above politics and I will try to see that the House is functional and that everyone of you gets an opportunity to speak," he says.
Mr. Naidu reflects on the origin of the Rajya Sabha.
"We are the world's largest democracy and fastest growing economy," he says, talking about the importance of time management. He exhorts the House to utilise the full time available. "This House meets less than a 100 days a year. Can't we be united in the pursuit of common national goals?" he asks. "Adversial politics should not be allowed to impact the working of the Parliament."
"We are all political rivals, not enemies," he says. "We must act together, we must come together, we must discuss. Met Pranab Mukherjee, he told and I'm repeating: Parliament to should debate, discuss, not disrupt."
Must respect the mandate of the people, the Opposition should have its say, says Mr. Naidu.
An attitude of give and take on both sides is needed, says Mr. Naidu. "Let the Government propose, let the Opposition oppose and let the House dispose."
Best part of my Legislative time was when I was in Opposition, because we had a constructive debate, says Mr. Naidu. Requests the media to report the debate in the House. "Please focus on constructive debate," he tells the media.
12.50 pm | Rajya Sabha
The Chairman calls on the Leader of the House, as they are running out of time.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley recollects a young Venkaiah Naidu. "I remember you used to come to Delhi as a student leader. Today, with close to 20 years experience as a member of this House, you have the honour of presiding over the House."
"A balance will have to be struck between adequate time to raise issues of public importance and do business," he says and requests for a balance between the two.
Chairman apologises for not giving time for everyone to talk.
12.40 pm | Rajya Sabha
INC MP Anand Sharma: The deliberation between people of different ideologies and beliefs is our greatest strength when it comes to democracy. Like rivers, ideas too come together in this House. I hope you will be unbiased and objective.
P.J. Kurien: "You were in the parliament for a long time - a member, in the RS, as a minister etc. You have vast experience and you know the rules very well. Under your leadership, the House will function smoothly. As deputy chairman, I extend you the fullest cooperation."
12.30 pm | Rajya Sabha
YSRCP MP Vijaysai Reddy talks about how close their native villages are. "You are the pride of Andhra Pradesh," he says.
RPI(A) MP Ramdas Athwale launches into verses. "Bohot katin hai yeh House ko chalana, Bohot mushkil hai Congress aur BJP ko sambhalna."
"Very happy that a farmer's son has had the opportunity to reach here," he says.
"Proud to welcome you as the Chairman of this august House," says TDP MP Y.S. Chowdary. "There are whispers in the corridors that a strict principal as arrived."
12.15 pm | Lok Sabha
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan gives us a summary of the Monsoon session proceedings.
"41 statements by Ministers on different topics, 1217 reports were tabled. One pri vate member Bill and one resolution was discussed. 252 zero hour notices were raised. There were 42 requests for business discussions," she says.
Almost 30 hours have been lost in adjournments but more than 57 hours were put in by MPs overtime, she says.
Ms. Mahajan conveys advance greetings for Independence Day; Vande Mataram is played in the House.
Lok Sabha is adjourned sine die.
12.00 pm| Rajya Sabha
Tiruchi Siva raises the issue of speaking in one's mother tongue. "If we speak in Hindi or English, there are translations available. But if we want to speak in Tamil, we have to give it in writing and inspite of that, translations are not available sometime." He requests Mr. Naidu to look into this issue.
"Friends, I have 16 more names listed to speak but only half an hour left. Please stick to two minutes per person without any prompting from me," says Mr. Naidu.
"If you cooperate, then I can operate better," he says, to laughter from the House.
SAD MP Balwinder Singh Bhunder requests for more time for all parties. "There was a time when Parliament ran for 5 months in a year but now less. Please give all parties time," he says.
12.00 pm | Lok Sabha
Question Hour winds up. Ministers begin tabling their papers.
11.40 am | Rajya Sabha
Sitaram Yechury: You'll be making your first remarks as Chair today and I will be making my last remarks to the Chair in the House today. You're sitting under two symbols - Ashoka chakra and the scales of justice. I'm confident you will uphold that.
You and I have grown up in our mother tongue, Telugu, say Mr. Yechury and launches into a speech in Telugu. "The country is not its brick and mortar, the country is its people and I hope that will be in your mind as you make decisions."
11.30 am | Lok Sabha
Question Hour underway in Lok Sabha, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan in the chair. Questions being asked on Sainik and military schools, wilful defaulters of farm loans, amendments to Companies Act, modernisation of the armed forces.
11.00 am
Both Houses of Parliament convene for the day. Lok Sabha begins with Question Hour, while Rajya Sabha welcomes the new Chairman, vice president Venkaiah Naidu.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed him and said “Mr. Naidu has come to hold the high office from his long experience in Parliament. He has risen from the grassroots, will lead the Indian polity to greater heights."
"Our honourable chairman has the blessings for our honourable Amma. They were very close. Mr. Naidu knows Tamil Nadu well," says AIADMK MP Navaneethakrishnan.
Derek O'Brien attempts an acronym of his own in honour of Mr. Naidu - "NAIDU: Now All India's Dearest Umpire"
Following is today’s legislative business for the two Houses of Parliament:
Lok Sabha:
Bills to be introduced:
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (2nd Amendment) Bill.
The Repealing and Amending (2nd) Bill.
Bills for consideration and passing:
The Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill.
The Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill.
The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Amendment Bill.
The Repealing and Amending Bill.
The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill.
Rajya Sabha:
Bills for consideration and return:
The Appropriation (No. 3) Bill.
The Appropriation (No. 4) Bill.
The Punjab Municipal Corporation Law (Extension to Chandigarh) Amendment Bill.
The Central Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill.
The Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill.
Bill for consideration and passing:
The Companies (Amendment) Bill.
The Indian Institutes of Management Bill.
