According to an official order, the first leg of the Budget Session is scheduled to conclude today in an extended sitting of the Upper House till 3 p.m. The sitting for Saturday is cancelled. It was earlier decided that the Session would conclude on February 13 instead of on February 15.
The second leg of the Session will commence on March 8.
Here are the updates:
The Lok Sabha has been adjourned to February 13, 2021.
Hibi Eden of Congress (Kerala) speaks. He talks about the increasing fuel prices in India that is going to "hit a century". He requests the govt to withdraw excise duty on crude oil products.
Rajmohan Unnithan of INC Kerala speaks. Talks about the internet shutdowns in India in 2020 and the economic impact. Restricted the distribution of medicines, schools.
Dr K Jayakumar of Congress (TN) speaks. He mentions a construction worth Rs 53,400 crores coming up in north Chennai near the harbour which is harmful to the environment. He requests the union environment minister to intervene and not sanction this project.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will reply to the Budget discussion in Lok Sabha tomorrow at 10 a.m., ANI reports.
Rajendra Agrawal asks Members to speak within two minutes.
BJP MP moves privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi
BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal has moved Privilege Motion Notice against Rahul Gandhi, citing 'serious breach of privilege and contempt of the House on 11th February 2021'.
Another BJP MP Rakesh Singh said, this is Indian parliament and it has a tradition.
"Congress party should follow rules. Rahul Gandhi should have taken permission to observe two minute silence."
Lok Sabha has extended sitting time.
Mallikarjun Kharge to be Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge will be the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, succeeding Ghulam Nabi Azad whose tenure comes to an end on Monday.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has written to Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu for appointing Mr. Kharge to the post as Mr. Azad is retiring, PTI reports.
Gradually open up anganwadi centers: BJP MP
Private Member's Bill is now being taken up for discussion in the House.
Ajay Misra Teni of BJP speaks about a resolution for welfare measures for anganwadi workers and anganwadi helpers is being discussed.
He further highlights government's initiative to help anganwadi workers and asks the government to gradually open up anganwadi centers.
Lok Sabha passes the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill.
Mr. Prasad said India's rank has improved from 186 rank in 2015 in terms of enforcing contracts to 163.
He also cites the jump in ease of doing business. Mr. Prasad says Indian has some of the finest lawyers and judges and they deserve the same respect globally.
Now, Mr. Prasad explains the need to bring the amendment. He says after an arbitral award is given, if it is found that fraud has been committed then this gives the option of stay by a court. If an award is given against the Union government or a State government is given by fraud and an investor wants to enforce it, is it fair that thousands of crore of tax payers' money.
"Why not ordinance? Should we part with tax payers' money?"
He talks about a rush in filing PILs.
"Today I take the freedom of this House to appeal to the judiciary to exercise their discretion in picking up the genuine PILs - issues like compensation of labourers, etc. Independence of judiciary is part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution."
"But there is also another basic structure that is separation of power. That governance should be left to the people who are elected members and are accountable to this House."
Narendra Modi govt. will make India a big hub for international and domestic arbitration: Law Minister
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad starts speaking, appreciates the knowledge of all those who participated in the discussion.
Mr. Prasad says Narendra Modi government will make India a big hub for international and domestic arbitration. He said the government asked experts like Justice Sri Krishna for suggestions. The Law Minister says India needs, as Mr. Galla said, needs a fillip to institutional arbitration. He agrees that technology should have an important role.
"We welcome foreign arbitrators and reads out the section 11 of the Act. We welcome arbitrators of any nationality. I appreciate Mr. Premachandran on your perseverance to oppose our legislation."
Hasnain Masoodi of National Conference starts by speaking about alternative dispute resolution (ADR) because of the long delays in the judicial system.
Mr. Masoodi talks about how investors won't come if the justice delivery system is not efficient.
RSP N.K. Premachandran now speaking against bringing in an ordinance earlier and questions what was the emergency. He said it's an abuse of emergency powers.
Mr. Premachandran says the bill lacks reasoning.
Gopal Chinayya Shetty, BJP MP from Mumbai speaks in support of the bill.
Mr. Shetty also talks about convoluted drafting and urges the government to ensure simple language in the legal drafting so that common people can easily understand it.
K. Suresh of Congress opposes the bill on the grounds that it was brought in as an ordinance.
Jayadev Galla of TDP cites India's poor ranking in enforcing contracts.
He asks the government to ensure minimal judicial interference and suggests artificial intelligence in inducing arbitral awards.
YSRCP MP Sri Krishna D. Lavu is speaking now.
He points out that courts can stay an arbitral award in the case of fraud and corruption but the bill doesn't define fraud or corruption.
He also cites how MNCs went to Singapore for arbitration instead of India. The YSRCP MP also talks about low allocation for the law ministry.
Need progressive legislation; not retrospective one: Supriya Sule
Supriya Sule of NCP says for ease of business needs progressive legislation and not retrospective legislation.
She cites Article 121,122 and 368 of the Constitution and how constantly Parliament and Courts are having constant tussle.
How does the Law Minister view this, she asks.
Nama Nageswara Rao of Telangana Rashtra Samithi asks if the government has evidence of fraud and corruption in arbitral awards since the proposed amendment deals with empowering courts with regard to arbitral awards.
India ranks 163 in enforcing contracts as per World Bank’s report, says BSP MP
Ritesh Pandey of Bahujan Samaj Party speaking.
He says according to World Bank report ranking, out of 190 countries, India comes at 163 when it comes to enforcing contracts.
Mr. Pandey welcomes changes in qualifications for arbitrators for making it more broad based. He talks about how the proposed amendment purportedly challenges an earlier amendment.
Dr Alok Kumar Suman of Janata Dal United says the bill will strengthen the enforcement of contracts and will attract international investors.
Lok Sabha has decided to push the Private Member's Bill until it passes the Arbitration and Conciliation amendment bill.
Pinaki Misra, Biju Janata Dal says India was scored poorly when it comes to enforcing contracts.. Mr. Misra points out convoluted drafting of the bill.
He points out flaws in some of the clause of the bill and asks the Law Minister to take a close look at this and claims that experts will frown at the proposed amendment clause.
Dinesh Trivedi resigns as Trinamool Congress MP in Rajya Sabha
Dinesh Trivedi hands over his resignation as Trinamool Congress MP in Rajya Sabha, to Vice President and Chairman of the House M. Venkaiah Naidu, ANI reports.
The legislation has inherited a retrospective application from October 23, 2015...already our judiciary has been burdened with a heap of litigation and other cases in terms of fraud, corruption, etc.,.we are striving hard to make ourselves a developed nation...we should have international arbitration facilities, institutional facilities, but the Bill proposing amendment to Section 36 may open floodgates for frivolous litigation to stall implementation of awards, it would lead to wastage of court time, Adhir Chowdhury says.
Lok Sabha to meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday instead of 4 p.m.
The Lok Sabha will convene at 10 a.m. instead of the usual 4 p.m. on Saturday, Speaker Om Birla has announced.
Since Rajya Sabha went on a recess today and would reconvene on March 8, the Lok Sabha would meet in the morning.
Lok Sabha begins discussion on Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, says there is a provision that if an arbitration is awarded, an application under Section 34 can be given for setting it aside on certain grounds. There is also a provision for stay on Section 36 on filing of an application. But there was no provision to stay the arbitration award even if it is beset by fraud or corruption. We have done a very limited modification that if the court is prima facie satisfied that the agreement and award is vitiated by fraud/ corruption, the court can stay it till the conclusion of the proceedings.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury begins the discussion on the Bill. Ordinance can be resorted to only in the extraordinary situation, where it is absolutely necessary.
Member Meenakshi Lekhi raises the issue of the kidnapping and murder of a naval sailor in Maharashtra's Palghar, in the area where two Sadhus were earlier killed, she says. Instead of targeting well-known figures, the Maharashtra government should probe the cases which require attention...they should not be seen standing with anti-India people. If they cannot probe the case, why don't they transfer it to the CBI, she says.
OTT platforms should come under censorship system,says BJP MP
BJP Member Ram Shankar Katheria from Etawah raises the issue of Kendriya Vidyalaya being shut down in his constituency.
BJP Member Manoj Kishorebhai Kotak demands that OTT platforms be brought under censorship system.
Obscenity is being dished out through certain TV series and Web series, says Member Kirit Solanki, seeking a ban on them
People from all walks of life are part of the ongoing farmers' agitation, false information is being spread that only Jats are involved, says Member Malook Nagar.
Member Raju Bisht says due to State government's indifference, panchayat elections are not being held in Darjeeling. He seeks stable political resolution to the problems faced by the locals.
Member Sunil Soren seeks reopening of a colliery located close to Jharkhand's Jamtara, it would provide job opportunities to the locals. Currently, coal is being illegally mind from there, he says.
Member Bhartruhari Mahtab asks the government to designate Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, as central university.
BJP Member Meenakshi Lekhi accuses an Opposition leader of spreading wrong information on the issue of Finger 4-Pangong lake, Speaker does not allow her to speak...
Need clarification on LAC disengagement agreement: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says the Defence Minister gave his statement on LAC yesterday, but some points still required clarification. Because of the disengagement, are we letting go any advantage that we earlier had, he asked. He said Chinese army had entered 18-km inside in Depsang, asking what measures were taken in this regard....Speaker asks Mr. Chowdhury to give a separate notice to take up the issue, we will be given the opportunity.
Zero Hour begins in Lok Sabha.
46 cities provided with ₹50 crore each to combat air pollution: Prakash Javadekar
Where there is a risk of sea-level rise due to climate change, we are building walls around those areas, including Sundarbans, in Kerala also mangrove planting is also being done to prevent the impact, says Mr. Javadekar.
Member Hasnain Masoodi raises the issue of illegal limestone and sand mining in Pulwama. Mr. Javadekar says the government has issued new guidelines for sustainable sanding mining, which have been made compulsory.
On a query about steps taken to reduce air pollution, Mr. Javadekar says PM had launched the air quality index in 2015, and subsequently several scientific measures were taken. In this budget for 46 cities, ₹50 crore each has been provided. A huge amount is now available with local municipal corporations to combat air pollution, we are creating new infrastructure and are involving citizens for reducing air pollution.
Member Suman Lata seeks information on measures being taken to curb illegal mining in the forest land. Mr. Javadakar says it is the responsibility of State governments to prevent illegal mining in the forest land, heavy penalties being levied on violators and they are also being prosecuted for criminal offence.
During this session, for various reasons, Zero Hour proceedings could not be conducted, Members will be given adequate opportunity, says Speaker Om Birla.
On a query regarding on policy of scientific social responsibility, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan says this policy follows one suggestion or an appeal made by the Prime Minister to the scientist in 2017, he had asked the scientists to ensure that the outcome of research works should be people centric. They should always be working for the welfare of the people at the grassroots level.
Taking cue from that, we have tried to institutionalise the concept in the form of this policy. It is purely a voluntary thing to do, it has nothing to do with budget allocation. Allocation for research has improved to such an extent that we have come up from 6th position to 3rd in terms of scientific works, research papers, says the Minister.
Member Shashi Tharoor says, there is a corporate social responsibility that is binding on the corporate sector, but the policy on scientific social responsibility is not mandatory
"How do you ensure oversight where there is a danger that in the name of promoting science, we promote bad science?"
Apprehensions are grossly misplaced. There is a lot of science happening in laboratories, we are trying to promote concept that research should be people centric. The policy is to bridge the gap between science and society, science and students. It has been formulated after huge consultations with all stakeholders. Once the policy will be officially out, you will appreciate it, says Health Minister.
On a query about adverse effects of climate change, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar says climate change has happened because of unsustainable carbon emission over the past 150 years, India's contribution is just 3% in it...we want to be a part of solution. A massive 90,000 GW of renewal power is being rolled out, our energy capacity has 37% renewal power component. Our bio fuel policy is also clear, we have also started electrical vehicles for which subsidy is being given.
15 new AIIMS sanctioned since 2014: Health Minister
Member Adoor Prakash seeks information on proposal for setting up AIIMS in Kerala, for which a list had been sent in 2014. However, he says, no action has been taken so far. Union Minister says 15 new AIIMS have been sanctioned by the government since 2014, the process of setting up AIIMS in different parts of the country was started under PM Atal Behari Vajpayee.
There are States like Kerala which have demanded institutions like AIIMS, it is under consideration. In Kerala there has never been a consensus on where they want AIIMS, says Mr. Vardhan, at which Member Adoor Prakash said "we have already given proposal, we have given four sites...
Dr. Vardhan says the decision to set up AIIMS in Kerala will be taken at an appropriate time.
Director of AIIMS in Telangana has given a statement that the institution will be ready in 2024, we have given a statement that it will be ready by September 2022, says Member Uttam Kumar Nalamada. That is not a new building, even after two-and-half years, there is no in-patient facility. He asks if the deadline will be met.
Union Minister said the pre-investment work is in progress, design consultants have been appointed, the work is under way.
Health Minister to receive suggestions on kidney donations from House Members at 5 p.m.
Today itself at 5 p.m. the Union Minister will receive suggestions on the issue of kidney donations from the Members concerned, says Speaker Om Birla.
Member Uday Pratap Singh seeks information on measures being taken to simplify kidney donation from outside the family of patient. Dr. Vardhan says under the existing rules, there is a provision for donation by blood relative, by a person emotionally attached to the patient. However, in the second case, to prove the emotional relationship, there is a procedure involving an expert-defined committee.
Speaker asks the Union Minister to issue directions to States to ensure that the processing of such cases (proposed donation from outside the family) is expedited
'20% rise in science related sectors in Budget'
Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy speaks about budget allocation in science sector.
Union Minister Harsh Vardhan, in his reply, says this year's budget allocation on science related sectors saw 20% improvement over the last year's budget.
Question Hour taken up in Lok Sabha.
A BJP MP from Uttarakhand asks Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar about vacancies in Doordarshan and Akashwani offices.
Lok Sabha begin proceedings.
Rajya Sabha adjourned
The first, two-week part of the Budget Session concludes, announces Chairman Naidu, reading out the productivity of the House: "The House clocked 99% productivity. The productivity of the House this week has been 113% and 82% in the first week. Out of 45 hours and 4 minutes, only 30 minutes were lost due to disruptions. Three Bills were passed in this Session by the Rajya Sabha."
Rajya Sabha adjourned till the second part commences on March 8.
Kapil Sibal seeks clarification on reduction on agriculture and education allocation.
"Under no category have we reduced allocation," Ms. Sitharaman says.
"Budget for Agriculture MSP has not reduced. This is an imaginary number that you have come up with. Don't promote fake narrative," she says.
Numbers in the 2007-08 Budget were suspect: Sitharaman
"There was a feeling that development sector allocation was not kept up. The Department of Health and Family Welfare saw an increase of 23% allocation," she says.
This Budget is for atmanirbhar Bharat, she stresses, adding, "We respect the honest taxpayer and properly utilise their money. We clearly show the money we are spending. A classic case is observing food subsidy. The balance sheet of Food Corporation of India has improved."
Responding to former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram's allegation that "major numbers are suspect in the Budget", she highlights three instances in 2007-08 Budget, saying those numbers were suspect. She attacks the UPA government for what she claims was lack of transparency.
To conclude, I don't want competence to fudge. "PM Modi doesn't believe in fudging." Ms. Sitharaman says this in reference to Mr. Chidambaram's speech where he had said that three years of "incompetent" economic management had taken the country back by years.
"There is a little grudge not to recognise how PM Modi handled the COVID-19 pandemic. We in India have fewer deaths, fewer active cases. This is only because we have led from the front."
Ms. Sitharaman says, "The former FM gives me a feeling that he is trying to imitate you (Chairman Venkaiah Naidu). But unlike you, he has been miserable in creating an impact. Like you, he tried to use rhyming words. He used the words 'pretext, context, subtext'. But he had no impact, because it was contrieved. It was a contrived and verbose speech," she says.
"He (Chidambaram) believes he can say anything and get away with it. He said this is a budget by the rich, of the rich and by the rich. I have already explained that our budget was for the poorest of the poor."
Her speech ends.
9.7% increase in actual Health Budget: Sitharaman
On disinvestment, Ms. Sitharaman says many newspapers have hailed it as a bold policy. "'Belated, but bold', their headline read," she says.
"Repeatedly, we hear that the 1991 reforms were important. The entire range that the Congress covered- high socialism, hybrid socialism, and then licence raj. They then came down from that high socialism to capitalism."
This is consistent with our ideology, the Minister says.
On allocation for Defence, she says, "data will show you that pension arrears of last year were due to OROP implementation. We have only increased in terms of capital expenditure for defence."
On Health, she says, "it was alleged that by bringing drinking water and sanitation under this, we are not showing the entire picture. And probably expenditure for the core area has come down." She quotes WHO to justify including drinking water and sanitation in the Health Budget. She claims 9.7% increase in actual Health Budget.
"Let's not get carried away by debate the budget for core three departments under the health head has increased," she says.
On PM Kisan Samman Yojana, she says, "benefits worth 1.15 lakh crores have been submitted in over 10 crore families' bank accounts. We have not cut down Rs. 10,000 crore. This is rationalisation. The main reason is that in allocation of PM Kisan Yojana, the farmers of West Bengal have not received the funds. This is why the numbers came down. We took the entire country and wanted every farmer to benefit. But there is a State who refuses to come on board," she says.
The Opposition keeps saying the MNREGA is theirs, she says. "You may have given birth to the scheme but you left it in a mess." "We removed all the ills out of the scheme and used it effectively."
She gives statistics and says that during the UPA, funds were not properly utilised.
"In 2020-21, we gave Rs. 61,000 crores before the pandemic hit. Now it is more than Rs. 90,000 crore- the highest ever allocation."
"Your allegation that you did not meet the Budgeted Estimate for MNREGA. The Budget Estimate of 73,000 crore is higher than last year," she says.
On unemployment, she says, "immediately after PMGKY, within which we provided employees money from their account, The government stepped in to pay the PF contribution of employees and employers. That money went to over 38 lakh employees and to 2.3 lakh establishments."
"A lot of people questioned us about MSMEs. Since 2019, we have taken a lot of steps to assist the MSME sector. There was a self-reliance fund with seed money of Rs. 10,000 crore," she says.
During the pandemic we came up with an emergency liquidity scheme, she says, elaborating that as on February 10, 94 lakh MSME units had benefited.
Nirmal Sitharaman begins her reply
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman begins her reply on the Union Budget discussion.
"About 48 members have spoken, fairly in great detail. I will reply to all of them," she says.
"Post-pandemic and post-global contraction, economies have suffered all over the world. The attempt that has been made in this Budget is to provide a strong stimulus and have a multiplier effect. We are looking for medium and long-term growth."
"Government has heard the views, opinions and suggestions from various policy makers of the country and collated all their thoughts together," the Finance Minister says.
"Building Atmanirbhar Bharat reflects the aspirations of people of India, two-thirds of who are youth. The youth is not looking only for assistance, they are looking for an ecosystem."
"The reforms that our government is introducing will bring is sustained growth. The relief and succor that was so required for the people was provided."
"It is worth mentioning that 800 million people were provided free food grain. 400 million, including women, farmers and divyang, got cash transfers."
Ms. Sitharaman says it has now become a habit for some in the Opposition to constantly allege, "in spite of what we are doing for the poor, a false narrative that this government works only for cronies."
"More than 1.76 crore houses under PM Awas Yojana, 2.76 crore houses electrified- Are these for the rich?" she asks. She adds, the Opposition, "is unthinkingly throwing allegations."
"9 crore fellowships. Who are these fellowships going to? To cronies? To the rich? 9 crores registered under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana. These are not big farmers."
She asks who benefited from these? " Damad? " (son-in-law) she asks.
The Congress protests the usage of the word.
" Damad or son-in-law exists in every house. Why are you taking offence?" Ms. Sitharaman responds.
"There is credible proof who this government is working for. Delivery and performance in last-mile connectivity is a distinct achievement of our government."
In his maiden speech, Syed Zafar Islam of BJP congratulates the Finance Minister for the Budget. "It as the worst time to present a Budget. There were a lot of problems to tackle. Nirmala Sitharaman exceeded the promises made in this year's Budget."
He says the Sachar Committee report is a reflection of how "you (UPA) government neglected the minority government," referencing Kapil Sibal's speech from yesterday.
Vivek Thakur of BJP says, "This is a Budget that brings in a complete directional change." He adduces data in support of the reforms envisaged by the three farm laws
Dinesh Trivedi announces resignation from Rajya Sabha
Dinesh Trivedi announcing he will resign from the Rajya Sabha on February 12, 2021.
Dinesh Trivedi announcing he will resign from the Rajya Sabha on February 12, 2021.
Dinesh Trivedi of TMC says, "It feels unnatural for me to sit quietly when there is so much violence in my State. I am part of a party and so bound by party discipline. I feel suffocated."
"Swami Vivekanand has said 'arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached.' And I cannot keep quite."
With that, he announces that he will resign from Rajya Sabha.
'We did not talk of zero loss'
Rajeev Chandrashekar of BJP says, "this Budget is a landmark Budget. The worst economic crisis that India faced in centuries is behind now us. In September last year, 23% contraction was used to paint a doomsday scenario. This once in a lifetime of crisis is also an opportunity to rebuild our economy"
"This Budget is designed to ensure growth and jobs. The government spending will lead to job growth. It ensures expansion of manufacturing and focuses on wellness. The Budget is bringing in financial sector expansion and transparency."
He counters Kapil Sibal's claims that the government is indulging in data juggerly. "We are not the ones who spoke about zero loss," he says.
Hypocrisy is staple of opposition politics. This criticism of disinvestment is a classic game of Congress who have in the past have chosen Italian firms over local HAL to produce helicopters
Chaudhary Sukhram Singh Yadav raises the issue of his Twitter account being suspended. "I have not done anything for the government to direct Twitter to suspend my account. I have only posted about the farmers movement. There is nothing wrong in it."
'Conduct IBPS exam in the Kannada language'
Satish Chandra Misra of BSP says he will speak on infrastructure available for cancer treatment. "We are not taking notice of over 5 lakh people who are dying of cancer each year. This is an alarming situation," he says.
G.C. Chandrashekar of Congress says the Karnataka State government can't afford the salary of govt officials. He blames the centre for not giving GST payouts to the State. "If the GST compensation is not given to the State, from a revenue-surplus State, Karnataka will become a revenue-deficit State," he says.
"Four Cabinet Ministers are from Karnataka, but this is the gift that the State is getting," he says.
Mr. Chandrashekar also asks that the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Probationary Officer (IBPS) exams be conducted in the regional language of Kannada.
'Inequality between the rich and the poor has widened'
Deependra Singh Hooda of Congress says, "There has always been a difference in what the government says and actually does. The government that talks of atmanirbhar India has reduced the Budget of skill India. The so-called nationalist government has reduced the funds for pension for our soldiers."
"This government has the highest rate of unemployment in 70 years. It has the highest fuel rates in 70 years. And the inequality between the rich and poor has widened far more in your tenure. Today, 1% of Indians own 73% of assets."
"We had hoped that this Budget would answer the problems of farmers. It instead reduced the agricultural Budget by 8.5%." "You look at the farm bills from the perspective of the rich corporates. Why is the government reluctant to legalise MSP?"
"I demand that the government immediately take two steps- one, reopen the door for the talks once again. Two, give compensation to the families of those farmers who have lost their lives in this agitation. Your stature won't be reduced by listening to the farmers. I plead with you, please listen to them," Mr. Hooda says.
Dr. Sasmit Patra, in the Chair, allows Minister Anurag Thakur to speak. Mr. Thakur says, "They talk of MSP, but let me tell you that we have given 2.5 times more MSP than the UPA govt."
Point of Order raised
Sanjay Singh of AAP says, "This Budget is set to sell India's assets. BPCL, SAIL, Airports - these aren't private property, these are owned by 131 crore Indians."
"PM Modi made fun of the farmers by calling them ' andolanjeevi '. By calling the agitating farmers andolanjeevi, you have also insulted Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, Rammanohar Lohia...we are proud of the andolankaris."
"Chaudhary Charan Singh was named here. Charan Singh's followers are sitting there on the border of Delhi and you are making them suffer," Mr. Singh says.
Members raise Point of Order.
MoS Parliamentary Affairs V. Muraleedharan quotes Rule 240 asking Mr. Singh to not raise irrelevant issues and limit himself to the the Budget discussions.
Mr. Singh points out that Bharatiya Mazdoor Sanghtan, "which is your own organisation has opposed your policies of privatisation." "You don't let farmers speak there (at the border) and here, I am not allowed to speak."
'General direction of Budget is to withdraw support for agricultural sector'
Deve gowda addressing the Rajya Sabha on February 12, 2021.
Deve gowda addressing the Rajya Sabha on February 12, 2021.
Former Prime Minister H.D. Devegowda of JD(S) compliments the government for the Budget presented. "MNREGA which proved to be one of the saving grace of our country's economy and creating employment saw a Budget cut. The government did little after removing the main safety net for rural India," Mr. Gowda says.
"The general direction of the Budget is to withdraw the support for the agricultural sector," he says.
'Intellectual dishonesty'
Bhupender Yadav of BJP says, "I thank PM Modi that in these challenging times too he brought us a Budget of hope."
He accuses the Opposition of misreading statistics to create fear among people. He counters Congress leader P. Chidambaram's remarks from yesterday, and says that it is intellectual dishonesty to quote numbers out of context.
He quotes Chaudhary Charan Singh, who had argued that PSUs should have been privatised a long time ago instead of being fed tax payer's money.
"Those who speak about farmers have never heard farmer's views. The three farm laws will bring new life to the rural economy. Which is why the government is speaking to farmers keeping an open mind," Mr. Yadav says.
'Indian team won in Australia because of religious unity in the team'
Shaktisin Gohil of Congress says a mother does not discriminate between her two sons, doesn't tell her younger son to become aatmanirbhar. "But this government wants the poor to be aatmanirbhar but provides protection to friendly corporates. "
"You present lucrative schemes but with a terms and conditions. You said senior citizens do not have to file income tax but then terms and conditions were applied," he says.
"You have zero duty on scrap imported from foreign countries, but slap 2.5% duty on scrap collected here," he adds.
"40% tax has to be given to States, so this government is slapping cess that has not to be shared with States."
"I want to explain how the mandis will be shut if farm laws are implemented? whenever you sell a product you have to pay tax to APMC, if products are sold outside and tax is not paid, how will APMC survive? Don't assume that farmers are fool, they have understood," he says.
"India cricket team that won in Australia comprised a Hindu, Sikh, Christian and a Muslim. We won because of this unity. They want to break this," he says and the Treasury Benches object to his religion reference.
"Manmohan Singh had constituted a committee of which CM Narendra Modi was the head. He had said in the report that MSP should not be removed. Now that same person, after become PM is misquoting Dr. Singh and Shard Pawar," he says.
' Bhoomi, akasham, pathalam , all for FDI'
Binoy Viswam of CPI says this government will become the executive committee of the Bourgeoisie. You have given bhoomi, akasham, pathalam... all for FDI. This government is for FDI. The market model has failed everywhere, including the USA," he says.
"You put sanitation, health, and nutrition under one basket and claim there is a hike in allotment. There is actually a decease of allocation in the times of pandemic," he says.
'No reservation in private sector'
Ashok Siddharth of BSP says the Budget does not offer anything for a large section of the people of the country. "There is no reservation in private sector. Will the government provide reservation benefits to SC/ST who will be left out if banks and other public sector units are privatised by the government?" asks Mr. Siddharth.
"Bring reservation in private sector to benefit 25% SC community members. Government is saying 1 lakh 26 thousand crore allocated for SCs in the Budget, but this should be increased."
'Unbridled growth of corporates'
Abir Ranjan Biswas of TMC says there has been no explanation of sector-specific revival of the economy. "The Budget allows for unbridled growth of corporates. This government is for, by and of the capitalists," he says.
"They intend to privatise two more public sector banks, but haven't mentioned which ones."
"LIC has been sacrificed at the altar of crony capitalists," Mr. Biswas says.
"The Rs. 100 crore package announced for tea plantation workers in Assam and West Bengal has come down to Rs. 2,000 per worker for the entire year. There are 5 lakh such workers," Mr. Biswas says.
M.V. Shreyams Kumarof LJD says the Budget has shown anger and false sense of ego. "There has been a 34% reduction in Budget in comparison with the previous one," he says. He asks that MPLADS fund be reinstated.
Discussion on Union Budget continues
MoS Finance Anurag Singh Thakur addressing the Rajya Sabha during a discussion on the Union Budget on February 12, 2021.
MoS Finance Anurag Singh Thakur addressing the Rajya Sabha during a discussion on the Union Budget on February 12, 2021.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will respond to Budget discussion at 2 p.m. in Rajya Sabha, says Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu.
MoS Finance Anurag Thakur speaks now.
"There has been a 34.4% increase in capital expenditure in this Budget. We have set a target to make India TB free by 2025," he says.
"Why did you privatise the six airports and gave it to two particular families?" the minister questions the Congress government's policies.
Referring to former PM Manmohan Singh, he says, "Doctor saab was an honest man but there was no department under him where there was no corruption."
"Why is the middle class aspiring to buy houses?" the Minister asks, adding, "because we exempted them from income tax returns for a year."
"The Budget allocation for PM-Kisan scheme was slashed by Rs. 10,000, said a TMC member. I will tell you why it was slashed. It was slashed because the West Bengal government did not provide names. Democracy has died in West Bengal."
"We are committed to doubling the farmers' income."
"Why did you not create agriculture infrastructure in past 65 years? How can agriculture cess increase the price of diesel and petrol? Where is it written in the farm laws that mandis will be shut and MSP will be withdrawn?" the Minister asks.
"You want negative news to run," he alleges, addressing the Opposition.
"India was among the five most fragile and worst economies in the world when we came to power, but under the Narendra Modi government, India is among the top six economies in the world," he says.
Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti says during COVID-19, migrant labourers would not have got work had it not been for MGNREGA. "There has been no proposal by the Centre to increase 100-work days under MGNREGA. The States can increase. Kerala and two other States have done it."
"In M.P's Morena, how many are eligible under MGNREGA," asks Ramgopal Yadav of SP. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, says 14 crore job cards have been issued under MGNREGA. "10 crore people are working, and women participation is 52%. I can provide district wise data later."
On being asked about the surge in demand in MGNREGA, Minister Tomar says, "whenever demand is created, efforts are on to meet the demands. The Budget has increased, Rs. 1,11,000 crore has been allocated and Rs. 90,000 crore has been disbursed to the States."
Responding to a suggestion of having systems in place for inspection of safety of railways bridges, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal says, "there are 34,665 bridges in the Indian Railways which are more than 100 years old. We have a scientific system of inspection."
Union Minister Rameshwar Teli says two mega food parks have been sanctioned in Gujarat.
Union Agriculture Minister Tomar, on being asked if the government intends to give subsidy on diesel to farmers, says, "We have given Rs. 80,000 crore subsidy on fertilisers and also on solar pumps ...our intention is to ensure that farmers' income increases."
"The three farm laws are a step in the direction to increase farmers income," says MoS Agriculture Kailash Chowdhury.
"There is no such category as COVID-19 vaccine and for the Commerce Ministry to come out with a code for only that type of vaccine is not our mandate. The export of COVID-19 vaccines started only in January. There has been no significant increase in the overall export. 15 million dollar increase only. Rupees 338 crore worth of export of COVID-19 vaccine," says Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
Question Hour ends.
Question Hour begins
Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu presides over the sitting on February 12, 2021.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu presides over the sitting on February 12, 2021.
Mansukh L. Mandaviya, MoS Chemicals and Fertilisers, says the share of generic medicines in India's market has increased from 2% (in 2014) to 8% now. "Government has directed doctors to only mention generic salt names of medicines not the brand names in prescriptions."
Many notified medicines are not available in Jan Ashudhi stores, says Ashok Vajpayee of BJP.
A Member's phone rings, Chairman says, "you should know how to switch off your phone. If not, seek help from your neighbour."
Zero Hour begins
Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba in the Rajya Sabha on February 12, 2021.
Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba in the Rajya Sabha on February 12, 2021.
Rajmani Patel of Congress asks that a Buddhist temple in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa be developed as a national heritage site.
B. Lingaiah Yadav of TRS speaks in Telugu.
Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba of BJP asks that the Manipuri language in Manipuri script be included in the Indian currency notes.
Ashok Siddharth of BSP says 60 lakh Dalit children should get 100% scholarship. Thawar Chand Gehlot responds, "according to the ongoing scheme, the funds had to be shared by States and Centre. Many States were deprived of funds due to the ration, we changed that and said that 60% will be paid by Centre and remaining 40% by States. Centre continues to provide the funding."
Mujibullah Khan of BJD asks if the toilets built under Swaccha Bharat scheme are seen only on paper. "I want to know this from the Centre. There are anomalies in its implementation. Make a squad to go and check in States if toilets are indeed being constructed."
K. Ravindra Kumar of TDP speaks in Telugu.
Bikash Ranjan of CPI-M says the government is proposing to reduce nine institutes into four clusters. "It will impact disabled persons, I ask that it be decentralised."
Manoj Kumar Jha of RJD asks for a high level committee to be constituted to probe the "fudging in COVID-19 testing in Bihar".
Shamsher Singh Dullo of Congress says that SC Students suffering in Punjab as Centre has not released its share of funds. Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot says it is incorrect to say that Punjab has not received the funds. "Punjab has not submitted utilisation certificate, matter was examined by courts also."
Rajya Sabha
Reports to be presented:
Reports of the department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence
Reports of the department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development
Reports of the department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment
Report of the Committee on Empowerment of Women
General Discussion on the Union Budget
Lok Sabha
Reports to be presented:
Reports of Committee on Petitions
Report of Committee on Empowerment of Women
Reports of Standing Committee on Defence
Reports of Standing Committee on Rural Development
Reports of Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment
General Discussion on the Union Budget
Legislative business:
The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (for consideration and passing)
Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020 (consideration of Rajya Sabha amendments)
Private Members’ business discussion
