On Friday, both the Houses ran peacefully except for an initial disruption at Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha passed the Indian Institute of Petroleum & Energy Bill. However, did not take up Requisitioning & Acquisition of Immovable Property Amendment Bill and the Data Privacy & Protection Bill which were listed for discussion.
The Rajya Sabha discussed and withdrew the Central Himalayan States Development Council Bill.
Here are the live updates:
Rajya Sabha
5.20 pm: Rajya Sabha is adjourned for the day.
5.10 pm: T. Rathinavel of AIADMK requests government to revisit the order of shutting down Tiruchi regional unit of All India Radio.
4.55 pm: Request for Bill which suggests creation of special council, has been withdrawn.
4.45 pm: Meanwhile, Opposition Rajeev Shukla requests the Minister to cut short the detailed response says,"discussion will continue till night otherwise." Jairam Ramesh says, "reply should be exhaustive not exhausting."
Speaker also requests to shorten speech.
4.30 pm: Replying to Jairam Ramesh says,"there is no need to worry as long I am here as Health Minister..oh sorry, Environment Minister, there will be no compromise."
4.25 pm: Minister of Environment lists out all the schemes functioning in Himalayan States. He mentions,"there are government books on Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, if these books are studied in depth one can understand that there is no need for a special council." He also mentions special project taken by NITI Aayog.
4.10 pm: Minister of Environment, Harsh Vardhan, replies. Comparing GDP of Northeastern States with Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand he says that, "Except for Assam rest of the States in Northeast, are far behind the Himalayan States. Having a council doesn't really help what matters if the government of States and Centre are planning for development."
3.55 pm: Jairam Ramesh of INC speaks in favour of the bill says, "Whatever hydel project been taken government needs to ensure that ecological balance is maintained. River must have water. Also states like Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir are reach in forest and these states need to be on green belt because forest if not maintained will add up to global warming.
"We are the only civilization to worship nature, today we are held bound on destroying rivers and forest leading towards destruction that can be seen Jammu and Kashmir and other countries."
3.40 pm | Lok Sabha
Lok Sabha adjourned for the day, Private Member Business cancelled.
3.25 pm | Rajya Sabha
Anil Kumar Sahani of JD(U) speaks about the importance of connectivity of Himalayan regions to the rest of the country. Says, "Even mythology reflects the benefits of medicinal plants found in Hilamayas."
3.15 pm | Lok Sabha
Kerala's minister K.C. Venugopal (INC) appeals for special attention to P.U. Chitra's participation in World Championships, says "she is a world class player."
3.00 pm | Lok Sabha
BJP's Kamakhya Prasad points out the State of Assam is reeling under flood says, "I request the government to form a inter ministerial to team to tackle the situation."
2.50 pm | Rajya Sabha
He points out the need of special attention to the Himalayan areas, mentions Kedarnath incident in 2013, says "every year region suffers from landslides and natural calamities."
INC's Pradeep Tamta from Uttarakhand, points out reports and efforts taken up by past Central Committees and Planning Commission for the development of Himalayan States.
2.45 pm | Lok Sabha
House passes the Bill. Question Hour begins.
"IIPE will be up to global standards," Dharmendra Pradhan ensures. Bill put to vote.
2.30 pm | Lok Sabha
Dharmendra Pradhan says, the government is "acknowledging the role of INC in deciding that IIPE will be created in Andhra. The institution isn't just about petroleum tech but hydrocarbon studies, bio-fuels and renewable energy."
Pappu Yadav raises the issue of poor quality of research in India.
2.15 pm | Lok Sabha
AAP MP Bhagwant Mann says: "Government should ensure an institute in North India as well. There is no lack of talent in the country however most qualified engineers end up seeking jobs abroad."
"Domestic gas is being used in crores of households. LPG shouldn't be expensive and out of reach for common people," says Kaushalendar Kumar of JDU.
2.05 pm | Lok Sabha
Ratna De Nag asks, "What measurements have been taken by the minister to ensure transparency in the functioning of the institute?
"There is need to have a re-look at the developments at the Petroleum and Energy sector. There is also need to have qualified teachers from abroad," she adds.
1:50 pm | Lok Sabha
Dushyant Chautala from Haryana suggests that the institute should include renewable energy in addition to petroleum studies. He added that since the cost runs into crores, there should be a restriction that students who graduate from the institute complete at least five years of work in India rather than going to UAE or Qatar.
1:45 pm | Lok Sabha
Bijoya Chakravarthy (BJP, Guwahati) says that the institution will be made in par with Indian Institute of Technology and will be equipped to provide graduate and post-graduate degrees and will provide both conventional and non-conventional knowledge in hydro-carbons. It will help students pursue a career in biofuels which was otherwise out of their reach unless they had the means to go abroad to study this.
1:35 pm | Lok Sabha
P.K. Biju says the Petroleum Minister is a dynamic person but such dynamism is not seen in Petroleum Ministry. Mr. Biju was a member of Standing Committee on Petroleum Ministry. Though there is adequate fund available with the ministry it is not rightfully transferred for setting up this institution, he says.
1.20 pm | Lok Sabha
Shiv Sena's Arvind Sawan congratulates House for taking up the bill but says: "there are many issues associated with energy sector. Main intention of the institute should be to research of it only becomes an educational institute children are just getting degree and go away. What will be the curriculum of the Institute? Syllabus is important and do we have people with technical know-how to teach the students. The Institute should be of global level.
"One institution isn't enough, hope more institutes we can have under the umbrella of IIPE," He suggests that Mumbai can also have a institute.
1.10 pm | Lok Sabha
Telangana government has increased 2022 target of renewable energy from 20,000 MW to 100,000 MW, but solar & wind have only 20% efficiency.
1.00 pm | Rajya Sabha
Question hour concludes. House adjourned till 2.30 p.m.
12.50 pm | Rajya Sabha
Nagesh Agarwal of SP says, "Minister might think Opposition has problem with raised ticket price, but we don't. If you are increasing the price then you should given more benefits as well. Ticket price has gone up same as plain tickets."
Suresh Prabhu, replies back saying "the passengers been given subsidies and that is clearly mentioned in ticket. Also, the ticket prices are much lesser than air fare."
12.45 pm | Lok Sabha
TDP's M.M. Maganti says,"Only two National level Institutes remain with Andhra Pradesh , most of the institutes left with Telangana. Hope IIPE has autonomy like IIMS.
12. 40 pm | Lok Sabha
"INC has always been committed to the needs of people in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana since bifurcation. However, the Central government has been ignorant. They have removed LPG subsidy but why?" asks Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary of INC.
"We haven't exploited all our options; India's energy per capita consumption is still very low," he adds.
12.30 pm | Rajya Sabha
Chhaya Verma of INC asks "There are only two seed banks in Chattisgarh to support farmers. And even there, they aren't getting the best of seeds. Can the government assure best of quality available in banks?"
Radha Mohan Singh, Minister of Agriculture and Welfare replies,"the seeds are tested in lab and it's only after that they are discharged. Kerala is an example of how the seed bank has been benefical."
12.15 pm | Lok Sabha
BJP's Ananth Kumar suggests Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy Bill to be taken up and that Zero Hour can be observed later.
However, Congress's Mallikarjun Kharge points out that, "even yesterday zero hour wasn't taken up, Bill can always be taken up on Monday."
Meanwhile, A.P. Jithender Reddy suggests GST implementation shouldn't affect schemes like Mission Bhagirati, projects like, house for homeless people and irrigation policy etc. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan looks unhappy, says "everyday you can't ask a question on GST," however, FM Arun Jaitley replies, "I will take up your concern with the Council."
12.05 pm | Rajya Sabha
Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena speaks about Work charge post in Railways says, "there isn't much benefits that they get, also the work charge staff don't get leave."
"We are working on the Project Development Organissation. Have noted down the problems, I agree, we will have to address it," replies Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.
12.00 noon | Lok Sabha
Disruption free, Question Hour comes to an end in LS.
11. 50 am | Lok Sabha
Bharion Prasad Mishra of BJP takes up border security along LoC. He also asks about what the government intends to do for the jawans who serve the country in difficult situations.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley replies says: "Special allowances are given to jawans who work in difficult situations and with the 7th Pay Commission there will be more benefits as you already might know that jawans at the Siachen get extra benefits."
11.45 am| Rajya Sabha
SP's Sanjay Seth raises mental health issue in Indian armed force. "One of the reason being their tough lifestyle and posting in conflict areas which take a toll. In fact the BSF, CRPF's jawans are fed unhealthy food that the government needs to find a solution."
Meanwhile, Ritabrata Banerjee of CPIM points out how "Tagore renounced his knighthood protesting against Jallianwala bagh massacre. But this year Assam cancelled holidays dedicated to Tagore, which otherwise every year has been a holiday every year.
11.35 am | Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings. Notices on matters of public importance being taken up. Problems associated with tourism sector have also been discussed. "There are only three tourism institutes in India and that's not enough," says Sambhaji Chhatrapati from Maharashtra. "Although Maharashtra has booming tourism yet a lot needs to be done. Specially one has to make sure that the history of the State is presented well," he adds.
11.30 | Lok Sabha
Problems with Women shelter and how does the Swadhar Greh Scheme functions been taken up in LS. Meneka Gandhi replies to the questions, says: "The Swaghar Gher is mainly run by NGOs. It is self-financed but government provides one time payment for construction."
"I have asked all members of Parliament to inspect the institutes for women and children in their constituencies to keep a check."
11.00 am | Rajya Sabha
Ruckus in Rajya Sabha with Oppositions chanting "nahi chalegi, nahi chalegi" during zero hours. Rajya Sabha has been adjourned for ten minutes following disruption.
11.00 am | Lok Sabha
Question hour begins in Lok Sabha.
