Parliament Budget Session Feb 7 highlights

The Sivaganga MP stated, “The reality from what the President read and it is, is very different.”

He stated that the “opposition is stifled, voices of dissent is quelled and agencies are let loose on political opponents, Raj Bhawans are used to destabilise elected (state) governments and there is horse trading.”

“But the President was misled into believing that we are the mother of democracy and our hearts are filled with pride,” he stated.

Commenting on the allegation on the Adani Group, he stated that the government had a “golden opportunity” to put the emerging rumours to rest on the January 31st. However, according to him, “the government did not deem it fit to aid and advise the President to put those rumours to rest.”

Referring to ‘Naari Shakti’ being used twenty times in the President’s speech, he accused the government of releasing the rapists of Bilkis Bano.

The Sivganga MP also spoke about the digital landscape in the country. He expressed concerns about India having the highest internet shutdowns (at 682) and recording a 10-times increase in cyber-attacks.

He concluded saying, “The Govt has consistently mislead the President in every issue and made the President read a report divorced from reality.

On the allegations concerning the Adani Group, the MP stated that while she would want hard-working Indian companies to thrive and not “trapeze artists”.

“I want to summarise (that) a company who is into infrastructure where you have to win most things by way of tender or have to regulated return cannot have high multiples when it is growing with debt,” she stated, adding, “Most infrastructure companies make a 5-15% return if they are lucky and they get everything right. Once an infra is built, it is usually sold to a pension fund where the infra player keeps a small portion as the operator of the asset. The multiples at which this A-company was trading was outrageous. Even Google, Microsoft and Amazon do not trade at such multiples.”

Reflecting on the recent chain of events, the TMC MP asked why the markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) had been a “silent operator”? And why the recent FPO was approved without completing an investigation report?

She also questioned how the SEBI allowed the “Mr A’s” son’s father-in-law to be in the committee for insider trading and corporate governance.

The Krishnanagar MP concluded seeking “full, complete and thorough” investigation into all matters. “Our country’s reputation and systemic stability are at risk,” she stated.

The Upper House of the Parliament has been adjourned till 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.

“For the first time in the history of independent India, the Central government is using patriotism as a shield to help a few businessmen,” CPI(M) MP John Brittas says talking about the Ambani-Hindenburg saga.

“Hindenburg revelation is not new, even the Panama papers named an Adani associate,” he alleges, asking BJP’s Prakash Javadekar, “what have you done?” “You came to power with a promise to eradicate black money, now you should put Rs. 30,00,000 in each citizens’ account.”

“Mr. Adani is going to take you (the government) down,” he says, asking the Centre to “take corrective measures” soon. “Why is a JPC probe on the Adani issue is being denied,” he asks.

He says that the Prime Minister likened Kerala to Somalia and said Kerala is hotbed of terrorism. “Is this the way to label a State,” Mr. Brittas asks, adding, “just because many industrialists from Gujarat looted the country and fled, do we talk about Gujarat in the same manner?”

“I am not a spokesperson for the Adani Group, only responding to allegations put forth (by the opposition),” the Godda (Jharkhand) MP stated.

Bahrampur (West Bengal) MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury raising a point of order reiterated the demand that the opposition had demanded an in-depth investigation into the issues related to corruption.

YSRCP MP V. Vijayasai Reddy says ‘State can decide which city will be its capital’. “It is an executive matter and powers are vested on the State government by virtue of the Constitution and neither the Central government nor the judiciary can intervene in State’s decision.

Giving the examples of Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where capital cities and the State High Courts are located in different cities, the YSRCP MP asks, “why A.P. is being treated differently.”

Saying that the “BJP government in Centre has been giving step-motherly treatment of Andhra Pradesh”, the YSRCP MP alleges that while Centre has funded Bengaluru metro, they have not funded the Vizag metro.

On employment, Mr. Reddy says India is one of the only countries where there is no national employment policy. Saying that more women judges are needed in the judiciary, the YSRCP MP highlights that there is “a pendency of 95% in cases related to harassment of women”, while “conviction rate stands at a mere 26%”.

Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien highlighted a quote from the motion of thanks that said: “A Bharat whose diversity is even more vivid, and whose unity becomes even more shakeable.” Responding to this, Mr. O’Brien said no political party in the opposition could do it.

“These lines were turned into a film even before these lines were written. Well done those who made Pathaan. What we couldn’t do, Shah Rukh Khan, Dimple Kapadia and John Abraham did. They have shown this country. Don’t mess with India’s biggest global ambassador. You asked them to boycott Bollywood, they showed one film.”

The Puri MP says that while the President spoke about the problems of the poor in her speech, the very next day in the Budget presentation, the allocation for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme was scaled down to Rs. 60,000 crore.

“We have seen how important the NREGA was at the time of COVID, “ the MP points out. “We have seen how it has served the poor people of this country. Therefore, if there is going to be some lip service, at least, to the poor of this country....the Honourable Finance Minister ought to reconsider this vast scaling down.” Read more.

Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien responded to the President’s address and the motion of thanks, pointing out that President Droupadi Murmu spoke of the “long felt urge to be rid of the scourge of mega scams and corruption”, but noted that there have been numerous scams and instances of corruption during the BJP rule at the Centre.

“This government has weakened institutions such as ED, CBI and SEBI over the last 8-9 years,” he said. Mr. Brien noted that “lots of money is at risk for the poor and middle class” with the recent Adani stock controversy.

The Biju Janata Dal member from Puri, Odisha, says: “I have said before that the President’s address is always remarkable for what it omits rather than what it mentions.”

Citing that he is making the remark with “great respect”, the MP describes the President’s address as a “somewhat untrustworthy” document, adding that while it may not have “outright lies” printed, it has many “half-truths”.

Citing that the President is a “cherished and treasured” daughter of his State Odisha, Mr. Misra says any criticism he makes of her speech would have to be “tempered”.

Pointing out how the President spoke about women empowerment at length and the vision of given women their due in Indian society during the ‘Amrit Kaal’, the BJD MP flags that the Women’s Reservation Bill which has been lying in “cold storage” for more than a decade found no mention in Honourable President’s address.

The Lok Sabha MP from Serampore says: “Since 2014 so many nice words have been written in the President’s address but not a single one has been done (converted) into reality.”

The Trinamool member remarks that political leaders and workers of the Opposition have been “kept under great threat” by misusing the CBI and ED, but the Hindenburg Research’s report “clearly speaks about money laundering by the Adani Group of industries....”, why then, he questions, are the authorities not initiating proceedings against the Adani Group.

Congress MP Digvijaya Singh in his reply to the motion of thanks to the President, took a dig at the government’s ‘Amrit kaal’ initiative. He said the era will only benefit the rich. Mr. Singh quoted Congress Rahul Gandhi’s slogan, accusing PM Modi of running a ‘Suit boot ka sarkar”. Mr. Singh also raised the controversy surrounding the Adani group, demanding that the government investigate the allegations by the Hindenburg report.

Mr. Singh said the Centre must “come out with a clear statement” on the Adani row. “Their silence casts aspersions on the crony capitalism of the BJP,” he said. Mr. Singh drew links between the Adani group and PM Modi.

During Mr. Singh’s response, the ruling party MPs interjected with objections to the language used by Mr. Singh to describe the government.

While participating in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on President Droupadi Murmu’s opening address on the first day of the Budget Session, the Thoothukkudi MP, mentioning the people who faced discrimination, remarks: “We have to understand that there is enough in this country to feel proud about and we also have enough to be ashamed about. We have to own up to that...only then can we make sure that there is justice done to these people.”

“This Union Government under the BJP tries to create a unitary culture, promoting oneness,” Ms. Kanimozhi says. “One nation, one ration, one tax, one market, one language, one exam, one election, one religion, one party.....this is what you’re (government) trying to lead to.”

Addressing the Centre, the DMK MP continues: “You continue to undermine the power of the States, you continue to delegitimize the work we have done....you continue to call us names, but we have set examples. We have proved that we can create models of social justice and inclusive development....which you have miserably failed to do.”

While saying that he was asked by people “ what” and “how” is Gautam Adani’s relation with the Indian Prime Minister, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi shows photographs of Mr. Modi with the entrepreneur and another one with his company’s logo. Speaker Om Birla directs him to not show “posters” in the House.

Congress Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi poses a question to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking how many times Mr. Modi had travelled with Billionaire Gautam Adani on foreign trips.

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju interjects to address the MP: “Rahul ji, you have now become a senior MP, we expect that as a member of this house whatever comments you will make will be with the full seriousness and proof. This is the tradition.”

BJP MP Prakash Javadekar seconded the motion of thanks to the President in the Rajya Sabha, echoing K. Laxman’s sentiment that India is proud to have its first woman President from a tribal community. He also praised the achievements of the PM Modi government, noting that India is a “vibrant democracy” under PM Modi, who keeps the “nation first”.

The Congress member says people in each State asked him how the Adani Group becomes successful in every business.

“People also asked how Adani’s (Gautam Adani) net worth became $140 billion from $8 billion between 2014 and 2022,” the MP remarks.

Talking about the Adani Group’s airport business, Mr. Gandhi says: “There’s a rule who doesn’t have prior experience in airports can’t be involved in the development of airports. This rule was changed by the Government of India and Adani was given six airports.”

He says that India’s “most profitable airport”, the Mumbai Airport was “hijacked” from GVK “using agencies like CBI, ED”, and was given to Adani by the government.

Talking about the Adani Group’s projects outside the country, the Congress MP says: “In 2022, the Chairman of Sri Lanka electricity board informed the parliamentary committee in Sri Lanka that he was told by President Rajapaksa that he was pressured by PM Modi to give wind power project to Mr Adani. This isn’t India’s foreign policy, it’s policy for Adani’s business.”

Also read: Adani saga worries India’s neighbourhood

The Wayanad MP remarks that the youth of India who strives to join the Indian Army does not agree with the government that the Agniveer armed forces recruitment scheme is beneficial.

Highlighting the issues raised by the general public to him as the Congress MP was travelling for his over 3000 km Bharat Jodo Rally, Mr. Gandhi said the “main thrust” of people’s concerns was on unemployment, inflation, and the problems of farmers including the demand for Minimum Support Price (MSP).

During his motion of thanks on the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha, K. Laxman, BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh, highlighted the achievements of the Centre in the nine years since the BJP came to power. Among the recent initiatives, he lauded the National Education Policy enactment, Ayushman Bharat, women empowerment through the nomination of more women to the Rajya Sabha and the Vande Bharat train service.

Congress MP from Wayanad Rahul Gandhi is taking part in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address.

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply that the Central government has empowered 31 district magistrates in nine states to grant citizenship to those belonging to minority communities of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh under the Citizenship Act, 1995. This, the Minister said, was done for the speedy disposal of citizenship applications of persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian minorities in the three countries.

The power has been granted to DMs under the 1995 Act and not the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act, rules under which have not been framed yet.- PTI

The Rajya Sabha reconvened at 2 p.m. and began discussion on the motion to thank President Droupadi Murmu for her address to the joint session of Parliament. BJP MP K. Laxman moved the motion.

As the Lok Sabha resumed proceedings at 1.30 p.m, BJP MP C.P. Joshi clarified that he wasn’t glorifying the practice of sati in his speech. He said he did not speak in support of ‘sati’, and only mentioned Rani Padmavati, who he said sacrificed her life to protect her satitva.

Following this, discussion on Motion of Thanks on President’s address resumed in the Lower House.

Chaos ensued in the Lok Sabha after the Opposition objected to remarks by BJP MP C.P. Joshi while he was taking part in the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address.

Several Opposition MPs troopped into the Well in protest against the BJP MP as they accused him of glorifying the practice of sati. Amid ruckus, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till 1.30 p.m.

After a brief adjournment on Tuesday morning, proceedings resumed in the Lok Sabha with BJP MP C.P. Joshi kicking off a discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address. Earlier, Lok Sabha MPs condoled the loss of lives in earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

Opposition members chant, “Pradhan mantri sadan me aao (Prime Minister, come to the Parliament),” before Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar decides to adjourn the House yet again. Proceedings will resume at 2.00 p.m.

Proceedings in the Lower House have resumed. The House has taken up listed business of the day. Ministers are laying papers on the table of the House.

Members of Opposition continue to protest and demand a discussion on the Hindenburg-Adani issue, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the Upper House till 12 noon.

India sent prompt assistance, including NDRF, doctors, etc., to the affected countries, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar informs the House. “We hope and pray that the survivors trapped in the rubble are rescued as early as possible, and all assistance is given to the injured,” he says.

Soon after proceedings began on Tuesday morning, the Opposition attempted to raise the Adani issue. Speaker Om Birla urged the Opposition to allow the House to take up Question Hour, but as members of the Opposition persisted with their demand, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon.

Members lay papers on the Table as the first order of business in the Upper House

Proceedings in the Lower House have resumed with commencement of Question Hour. The Opposition is urging the Speaker to allow notices given in the House.

Congress president and LoP Rajya Sabha Malikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said that the Opposition is ready to discuss if the government accepts its demand for a probe into allegations against the Adani group.

“They adjourn the House even before we raise an issue. No mention of our notices, they just say that the House is not in order. Did you try to make it function? They lie that we create a ruckus. BJP is an expert in lying. They’re trained in lying and misleading people,” Mr. Kharge was quoted as saying by ANI.

All Opposition parties, except the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have agreed to take part in a discussion on the Motions of Thanks to the President’s Address and other proceedings in today’s list of business.

The decision was taken at a joint Opposition meeting which was convened by Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday morning.

• After Question Hour, Ministers will lay papers on the table of the House.
• Standing committee on water resources to lay a statement on further action taken by the government on a report on action taken on flood management in the country including International Water Treaties in the field of water resource management concerning treaties, or agreements entered into with China, Pakistan And Bhutan.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs will also table a report of the standing committee on science and technology, environment, forests and climate change on the Demands for Grants (2022-23) of the Ministries/Departments of Atomic Energy; Biotechnology; Scientific and Industrial Research; Science and Technology; Space; Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Earth Sciences.
• Matters under Rule 377
• The motion of thanks on the President’s address
• And a general discussion on the Union Budget for 2023-2024

Parliament could begin a discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address today after the Cnetre reached out to the opposition, news agency PTI quoted sources as saying.

As per the report, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal held meetings with floor leaders of opposition parties on Monday after proceedings were disrupted over Adani issue.

Opposition sources said the chances of Parliament functioning normally on Tuesday to take up a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address are “bright”.

A meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary party is scheduled to be held in Parliament today. The weekly meeting of the party takes place every Tuesday when the House is in function. The Prime Minister is expected to address the meeting.

1. Congress MP Manish Tewari has submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha, seeking a detailed discussion on the Adani issue.
2. In the Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan has given a suspension of business notice to discuss the issue of investment by LIC, public sector banks and financial institutions in companies “losing market value”.

3. BRS MP K Keshava Rao has given a suspension of business notice in the Rajya Sabha to discuss Hindenburg Report on Adani Group.