Congress members, upset over the 'National Herald' case, on Tueday disrupted the Parliament, protesting against alleged “vendetta politics” leading to repeated adjournments in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi, son Rahul Gandhi and others >were on Tuesday directed to appear in person on December 19 by a Delhi court which allowed their plea seeking exemption from personal appearance for the day in the ‘National Herald’ case.
No sooner had both the Houses assembled for the day, Congress members stormed the Well, shouting slogans against the government and refusing to heed to the Chair’s repeated pleas that they return to their seats and raise the issue.
While no Congress member specified the issue, their vociferous protests came a day after the Delhi High Court, in a blow to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, >declined to give them any relief in the case, asking them to appear before a trial court.
2:23 pm: Both Houses adjourned till 3 pm
2:07 pm: 'We are protesting in both Houses against this dictatorship. Democracy in danger', says Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.
1: 59 pm: An expert committee appointed for the new capital of Andhra Pradesh has suggested an estimated Rs 27,097 crore as the cost for building ‘Amravati’ , Lok Sabha was informed today.
1:58 pm:Why are pulses expensive? Hoarding, rising transportation cost and a lack of production are the main reasons behind rise in retail prices of pulses in the country, government said today.
“There has been a rise in the retail prices of pulses over the year. The main reason is the reduced availability following a decline in production of pulses from 19.25 million tonnes in 2013—14 to 17.20 million tonnes in 2014—15 on account of adverse weather conditions,” he told the Lok Sabha.
He said the other factors responsible for high prices of pulses are hoarding, rise in transportation cost and black—marketing.
1:55 pm:India committed to build 50,000 houses in Sri Lanka
India is committed to build 50,000 houses for internally displaced people in Sri Lanka, Lok Sabha was informed today.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the project envisages construction of new houses and repair of damaged houses and it is being implemented through two models, agency driven and owner—beneficiary driven.
“The beneficiaries of the housing project are identified through a consultative process,” he said in reply to a written question.
Rijiju said as per the information received from the state governments of Tamil Nadu and Odisha, a total of 1,01,368 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees are presently staying in the country.
“There has been no organised repatriation of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees since 1995,” he said.
12:34 pm: Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 p.m.
12 noon: Uproar continues in Rajya Sabha as proceedings are adjourned till 12:30
11:39 am: Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon.
11:34 am: Proceedings in Rajya Sabha resume amid uproar by Congress MPs. Shouting slogans in well of the house.
11:32 am: We've heard Sonia Gandhiji’s statement this morning.She is awfully wrong, media doesn't decide as to who’s right or wrong: Nirmala Seetharaman
11:30 am: Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu says it is "unfair and undemocratic of the Congress to disrupt Parliament on account of a case in court."
11:20 am: Both Houses adjourned till 11:30 a.m.
11:14 am: Lok Sabha adjourned for half an hour after uproar over a host of issues and Congress members storming the Well.
11:10 am: Congress MPs shouting slogans against government, accusing it of political vendetta in 'National Herald' case.
11:00 am: Sonia Gandhi, reacting to whether the National Herald case is one of political vendetta, said: "I leave that to you to judge". "I am the daughter in law of Indira Gandhi, I'm not afraid of anything. Why should I be upset"
Following is today’s schedule for both Houses of Parliament:
Lok Sabha:
Bills for consideration and passing:
— The Indian Trusts (Amendment) Bill, 2015.
— The Commercial Courts, Commercial
Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Bill, 2015.
Further discussion on drought situation in various parts of the country.
Rajya Sabha:
Calling Attention on the pathetic living conditions of plantation workers, especially the tea garden workers in different parts of the country.
Bills for consideration and passing:
— The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015.
— The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2015.
