Parliament Budget Session February 6 Updates

Rajya Sabha is adjourned till 11 am tomorrow, February 7. 

Ramilaben Becharabai Bara, BJP MP from Gujarat says that PM Modi has ensured that 110 underdeveloped districts have progressed. She also says that women are working in several sectors, including the space sector, due to PM Modi. 

Ramdas Athawale, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, says that the government is working to do justice by all sections of society. He says that Congress has done work, but not the work that needs to be done. It has engaged in corruption and disenfranchised the poor, that is why PM Modi has come to power, he says. 

Ajay Pratap Singh, BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh, says that he is glad that a complete discussion of the President’s address took place. He is glad to listen to the views of the Opposition, because we can improve ourselves based on what they say and we also understand what is going on in their minds, allowing us to prepare politically, he says. 

The Lower House was adjourned till February 7, 11 a.m.

Amid stiff opposition from existing Gujjar-Bakarwal Scheduled Tribe people of Jammu and Kashmir, Lok Sabha passed the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Both Bills were passed with support from across party lines.

The former includes the Pahari Ethnic Group in the Scheduled Tribes list of the Union Territory. The Bill also added the Gadda Brahman, Koli, Paddari communities to the ST list of Jammu and Kashmir. 

The latter Bill seeks to include the Valmiki community to the Scheduled Castes list of J&K. 

Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda says Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra did not visit Birsa Munda birthplace. On the other hand, PM Modi on November 15 visited Ulihatu Village in Jharkhand, the birthplace of Birsa Munda and paid floral tribute to his statue, he said. Mr. Munda clarified that Gujjar-Bakawarl communities’ reservation in education and employment will not be touched, and instead, the political reservation will be extended to others.

To MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s point about protests in Ladakh, Mr. Munda says, “Why are you referring to Ladakh? Today when Ladakh is getting justice, you have an issue,” he say. No other government has looked after Ladakh’s interests to the degree PM Modi and BJP have, Mr. Munda adds. 

After an extension from 6 to 7:30 p.m, the working of Rajya Sabha has been extended by one more hour to 8:30 pm. Discussion on the motion of thanks for the President’s speech continues. 

Nabam Rebia, BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh, says that the country is proud because of Prime Minister Modi. He says who would have believed that things like abrogation of Article 377, building of Ram Mandir could have been achieved. 

We know that Modi has the solution for Manipur issue, he says. We felt like we were not in the mainstream of the nation, he says of the northeast. But we no longer have that feeling. 

He said that there was never an airport in Arunachal Pradesh, but now there are four. He says that there are improvements in railways as well, saying Shatabdi is now running from Guwahati. 

Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar lists various measures the Central Government has taken to uplift SC and ST communities. These include Direct Benefit Transfers to students, quotas in central government jobs, venture capital funds, among other welfare schemes. 

From IIMs and IITs, and infrastructural development to Chandrayaan’s success, these communities have contributed to moving India towards Viksit Bharat.

In response to criticism of why some communities are not included in the Scheduled list, Dr. Kumar said the government has considered these requests and discussed them. Dr. Kumar says the Opposition parties have harped on about ‘Garibi Hatao’ slogans and used scheduled caste communities only as a voter bank. Opposition MPs including Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury objected to this, to which Dr. Kumar replied, “Adhiranjan ji, adhir mat hoye (don’t get impatient)”.

Dr. Kumar also said the K.G. Balakrishnan report on whether Dalit converts to religions other than Sikhism or Buddhism should get SC status will submit its report soon. 

Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi highlights that although it was good that President Droupadi Murmu gave her first address in the new Parliament building, she was not included in three occasions where she could have been included as constitutional head of State. 

Two words were not used in the whole speech: employment and inflation, she says. She says that corruption is taking place in Maharashtra. She says that the number of taxpayers in the country has reduced. 

In response to her statement about the women’s reservation bill coming into effect into 2029, Chair Jagdeep Dhankhar said that there would have to be necessary process at any time the bill is introduced. Saying that this is an epochal moment that has come after a wait of several decades, he says that he is not in favour of any statement that indicates that it has been given only on paper. 

Dr. K Laxman, BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh, highlights progress in the country, touching upon achievements pertaining to food rations, fishery, housing, and help given to street vendors. 

Ayushman Bharat helps citizens with almost Rs. 3.5 lakh crores he says. 

He points out that the Congress has insulted Dr. Ambedkar, pointing out that they defeated him in an election and did not give him a Bharat Ratna. He says that Karpoori Thakur and Pranob Mukherjee were given Bharat Ratnas. 

Mr. Nehru said in a letter that reservations should not be based on caste, he says, also adding that Sitaram Yechury was insulted by the party. 

INC MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says people of Ladakh have descended on the streets in huge numbers to demand statehood, job reservation and inclusion in the sixth schedule of the Constitution giving it a tribal status. When these Bills for reservation in J&K are being discussed, why not pay heed to their demands also, Mr. Chowdhury asks. 

NCP MP Fauzia Khan says that social reformers did not fear while introducing reform for women, citing the example of Mahatma Phule, Sharad Pawar and Rajiv Gandhi, among others. Why did we fear while introducing the reservation bill for women, by not conducting census, she asks. 

In Lok Sabha, INC’s Kodikunnil Suresh drew attention to the inadequate implementation of schemes for SC and ST communities. “Different ministries for SC and ST funds are not spending funds allocated to these communities for their welfare. Atrocities among SC and STs are increasing day by day... The police authorities are not ready to register cases under the Act and conviction remains low,” Mr. Suresh says. He adds that education and employment opportunities are limited for the communities, with no initiative to initiate recruitment of SC and ST in the private sector. “There are several issues...but the government is not addressing the serious problems faced by SC and ST communities.” He also mentioned the demand of the Dalit Christians to be included in the SC and ST list.

Ram Shiromani Verma of BSP also noted that providing reservation is not enough, if not complemented with welfare schemes such as providing education to children or filling ST, SC vacancies in central government positions.

Brijlal, BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh, highlights that the Prime Minister said that there were four castes: women, youth, farmers and the poor. Someone should tell the Opposition that most of the country falls within these four categories, he said. 

TDP MP Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar highlights that during the AP reoriganisation, the State of Andhra Pradesh was promised special status. He also says that thieves broke into the office of the State Election Commissioner and that data was collected. He alleges links between these persons and YSRCP, and asks to whom the data was entrusted. 

Data for 2021 and 2022 are not available in the Election Commission office, he says. He asserts that such crime could not take place without the collusion of key officials., and requests that the Centre to call for a thorough inquiry into this alleged crime by an independent authority like the CBI. 

Dr. Sasmit Patra, BJD MP from Odisha, says that he supports the address of the President. He suggests, however, that more must be done for States such as Odisha. He says she spoke about highways, but certain projects in Odisha need to be completed. He says that he supports the President’s words about housing, but 7 lakh houses of PMAY are required for Odisha. He also seeks that ST list proposals be accepted and that local languages such as Sora be included. He further seeks farmer’s welfare as well as withdrawal of GST on tendu leaves.

President Droupadi Murmu is a pride for us he says, highlighting that she has flown the fighter jet as Commander of the Armed Forces. 

Hasnain Masoodi of the J&K National Conference objects to BJP ministers’ claims that the National Conference party neglected the Pahari tribe’s concerns. “We had raised the issue of giving reservations to Paharis without diluting the rights of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community...but the [proposed] quota was sabotaged by those people who speak about empowering Paharis today,” Mr. Masoodi says. He adds that the discussion on implementation and modalities of the Bill is missing.

Samir Oraon, BJP MP from Jharkhand, says that till 75 years post Independence, no one spoke about the lives and achievements of the unsung tribal heroes of the Independence Movement. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instituted Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas on the anniversary of Birsa Munda’s birth, while the rest only used the tribal community for votes.

The community is progressing due to various schemes of the government, and is receiving honours that were withheld from them for years, he says. 

He says that instead of Bharat Jodo Nyaya yatra, the Opposition could have done justice by women, adivasis, the country and others by undertaking measures such as scrapping Article 377 and bringing in reservations for women. 

“Is Arjun Munda angry or frustrated with us?” asks MP Supriya Sule in the Lower House, while discussing the Jammu and Kashmir reservation Bills. Maharashtra has seen the biggest revolt among farmers for loan waivers; similar reservation demands were made by the Maratha and Dhangar communities. Instead of bringing individual, scattered Bills, it would help to bring a nationwide Bill on the reservation to bring forth justice and equity, she says. “The government has to decide if it wants to give reservation to all marginalised communities or not.”

Sandosh Kumar P., CPI MP from Kerala says that the agenda of this government is religious fanaticism and jingoism. We have to put an end to this, he says. 

The Presidential address lasted for 1 hour 20 minutes, but did not mention Manipur and Mahatma Gandhi, he says. 

BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya says instead of considering caste and creed, the Centre has helped the poor, youth, women and farmers. This is a living example of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas,’ he says. 

The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 is a constitutional amendment which seeks to revise the list of Scheduled Tribes in J&K to include the Pahari community in it.

The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 aims to include the Valmiki community in J&K’s Scheduled Castes list by adding it as a synonym to Chura, Bhangi, Balmiki, Mehtar.

Read more here.

Speaking about the merit of the J&K Bills, BJP’s Jugal Kishore Sharma hailed the legislation as a “historic step”, which will free the people who have lived “under 70 years of violence”. “They were made servants by three families -- National Conference, Congress and PDP have misled people and precluded them from rights.”

Adding to this, BSP MP Malook Nagar said Muslim Gujjars, who have “fought battles along the India-Pakistan border”, continue to face challenges and the proposed affirmative policies should not be changed in the future. In addition to this, the government should make a committee to assess the well-being of Dalits and Adivasis throughout the country.

However, Opposition MPs including AITC’s Aparupa Poddar pointed out that while the Bills are promising, it is “extremely disheartening to see what the government is doing with the SC and ST across the country”. Amar Singh from INC also cited 2011 figures showing the 97.8% of SC population are landless. 

I am opposing the motion of thanks but appreciate the President of India for reading what she got from the Ministry, A to Z, says IUML MP Abdul Wahab, saying that the Kerala governor was only reading the last line. 

Among all his promises, Prime Minister Modi has 100% given Ram Mandir, he says. He shares that the PM is going to UAE, where he is inaugurating a temple with 25 acres premises on February 14. 

He makes the request that Gyanvapi mosque and other mosques be left. He says that according to the Quran, your religion is respectable for you, and our religion is respectable for us. Considering this, do not go beyond and survey and find other things underneath, he says. Please ask our Prime Minister to not allow this, he says. 

We have heard that the last 10 years are better than the other 65 years, we hope that in the 100th year, India will be No. 1, Mr. Wahab says. 

Dr. Dinesh Sharma, BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh, says that he observed that parties were coming together to express similar views, despite not having an alliance. He points out that reheated tea and renewed relations don’t have the same sweetness anymore, taking a dig at the recent strained equations in the INDIA alliance. 

He says that he has seen many revolutions, but that he can say confidently that India’s health revolution is unlike any other, highlighting the insurance of Rs. 5 lakhs extended to the poor. 

He highlights that the country was proud of vaccines, but the Opposition was saying that we should take vaccines made from other countries. He says 220 crore people in India have received armour against Covid-19 and that 120 countries globally have benefitted. The world is looking at India with hope, he says. 

He asserts that several people have been lifted out of poverty, also crediting the Jan Dhan Yojana. We have progressed on the front of defence as well, he points out, saying that there is a Uttar Pradesh-Tamil Nadu corridor being created. 

He also highlights during his speech that the Opposition does not have a leader like Narendra Modi. 

Lok Sabha has taken up The Constitution (Jammu & Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and The Constitution (Jammu & Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 for consideration and passing.

Lok Sabha passes The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 by voice vote, after rejecting some amendments proposed by Opposition members.

The Bill seeks to curb malpractices and irregularities in government recruitment examinations, with provisions for a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to ₹1 crore.

Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, independent member from Assam, says that the government has not done much for the common man but more for corporates. He asks about the status of the Naga peace accords, and highlights that Manipur has been burning for several months, asking why the Prime Minister has remained silent. 

Federalism is the soul of the Constitution; if that spirit is bulldozed how will democracy survive he says. He adds that he has faith that the people will elect those who will respect the Constitution.

Niranjan Bishi, BJD MP from Odisha, says that the percentage of reservation for SCs and STs in India should be increased, highlighting that it is higher in his State. 

He requests that tribal languages like Sambhalpuri should be included in Schedule 8 of the Indian Constitution. He also asks the government to establish Eklavya schools and other institutes for the purpose for education of members of the scheduled tribes. 

Mamta Mohanta, BJD MP from Odisha, highlights that she is from the same region of the State as the President. She says that many positive measures are being undertaken by Naveen Patnaik, the State’s CM. She also adds that a lot more remains to be done. 

Following her statement, Hishey Lachungpa, SDF MP from Sikkim, adds to the discussion on the motion of thanks for the President’s address with a statement in Nepali. 

Responding to criticism about the Public Examinations Bill, Minister of State Jitendra Singh in Lok Sabha clarified the student or the candidate does not fall under the purview of the legislation and will be protected from harassment. The legislation is for those who disrupt the examination process or try to cheat the system, he says. “We have tried to follow the spirit of cooperative federalism under the leadership of PM Modi...It won’t be right to say this is an attempt to centralise the system,” Dr. Singh adds. “Punishment itself is a deterrent to prevention. This is the first step towards prevention,” he says.

He also added the Bill will gradually push to conduct exams in more regional languages. Given the rising use of technology and AI, “we intend to form a committee of experts who will deliberate upon technology’s impact, update [the Bill] and bring uniformity over time”, Dr. Singh says. As of now, malpractice and data leaks come under the purview of this Bill.

To critique that the proposed legislation is redundant and should be a part of the existing Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, Dr. Singh says these offences are not specifically mentioned in BNS. “We have tried to define and identify the unfair means in the conduct of examinations,” he says, and if the magnitude of the crime goes beyond an extent, it will fall in the domain of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill. “We cannot allow the meritorious to be sacrificed at the altar of such organised crimes,” he says.

MP Naseer Hussain says that Mr. Deve Gowda was only speaking about guarantees in the State of Karnataka, but pointed out that the BJP made promises in other States such as Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. He also says that the ex-PM said that Chief Minister of Karnataka called him to protest asking money for guarantees. That is not the case, he highlights, saying that the Karnataka MLAs, MLCs and MPs are coming to protests the injustice done to the State of Karnataka in the Union budget. 

Another member points out that the Cauvery issue has been settled. The Supreme Court- appointed tribunal has passed a detailed order, he says; now if any dispute arises, the ex-PM should approach the tribunal, he adds.

Chair Jagdeep Dhankhar says that even if a matter is pending in any matter, this is the right forum to make an appeal. He also asks for regulated discussion on this issue. 

MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi says in a lighter vein, that this dispute is the most lawyer friendly thing because it will continue to go as long as the Cauvery flows. 

I am not going to praise the Prime Minister unless I am satisfied that there are several programmes that everyone should appreciate, Mr. Gowda says. I have not come here to make an election campaign, the country will appreciate the work of the Prime Minister he says, adding that the facts and figures were there. 

He brings up the issue of water, saying that the drinking water issue in Karnataka is a major problem, and appeals to members from Tamil Nadu to get permission from the Union government to construct a new dam. 

I have fought this battle for 60 years, he says. He appeals to the Prime Minister to do something about the drinking water problem. He says that the Prime Minister has done magnanimous work and that he supports him. 

The Lower House is discussing the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024. INC member Aadhir Ranjan Chowdhury says while the Bill may endorse transparency, “the transparency regime in the country is facing challenges”. He cites India’s decline in the Corruption Perception Index and the vacancies in the Information Commission posts. Moreover, with growing data breaches and leaks of private data, “how will you plug [transparency] loopholes?” he asks. Mr. Chowdhury reiterates other Opposition members’ concern that the Bill confers disproportionate powers to central agencies, which would further throttle Opposition voices, he said. 

Taking a dig at the Congress government in Karnataka, ex-PM HD Deve Gowda says, “What is this guarantee schemes? Such an unproductive expenditure”. As Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain interrupts the former PM stating that BJP too is offering ‘Modi’s guarantees’, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar admonishes him.

Making a rare statement in the Upper House, ex-PM HD Deve Gowda says, “We are debating on the President’s address. But I want to raise one particular issue. In relation to Karnataka, I can only speak by my 60 years of political life as MLA, minister, chief minister, MP and Prime Minister. In the past 7 months, many issues have been raised by present government but there is the issue for the Kadu Golla tribes”. 

He says, “In 2014, the state government has recommended inclusion of this tribe but now it is 2023. I make a special appeal to Prime Minister, the House to include them in the ST tribes. Please decide on this matter before this session is over, benefitting the Kadu Golla tribes living in 13 districts”.

Noting the points raised by the parliamentarians during the debate over the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav assures that the bill does not completely decriminalise any serious offence which violates the water pollution norms. 

He adds that the Centre is just cutting down on the bureaucratic delays faced by industries in seeking environmental clearance. Assuring that India will fulfill its Paris climate agreement promises while keeping India’s progress in its mind. 

“Environment and progress must go hand and hand. Only via progress will poverty be eradicated, allowing them to live life with dignity,” says Mr. Yadav while moving the while for passage. 

The Bill is passed via voice vote. The Upper House continues its discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address

During the debate on the Bill in Lok Sabha, RSP MP N.K. Premachandran requested the Chair to send the Bill to the parliamentary standing committee for scrutiny. “The Bill is against the basic principles of criminal jurisprudence… The quantum of the Bill is disproportionate. Definitions are exhaustive and can be interpreted in any manner,” the MP said.

TMC MP Jawahar Sircar opposes the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024. He questions the decriminalisation of offences by industries polluting India’s main rivers like Yamuna and Ganga. Accusing the Modi government to making businessmen operate consequence-free inspite of releasing untreated effluents in the rivers, he terms the bill ‘unfederal’. 

The bill decriminalises the violations of water pollution norms, removing jail terms limiting the offenders to monetary penalty. It also appoints an adjudicating officer who is a central authority which decides on the offence’s penalty. 

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav moves the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 for consideration and passage in the Rajya Sabha.

Rajya Sabha passes the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024 via voice vote. 

Speaking on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, Lok Sabha MP M.K. Vishnu Prasad said, “The dream of any youth is to get a government job. However, this system has had several leaks in the past. It is the need of the hour but we should remember in Vyapam scam. We must not politicise this issue. Conducting an exam is no joke. This system should be transparent and leak-proof.”

“I urge this government to ensure that the re-examination takes place within three months of cancellation. The youth can’t wait indefinitely.” 

“When computers can be hacked, why not EVMs? Govt should focus on this and bring a separate legislation. Election and examination are not different. Both are equal and important.”

Replying to the debate on the two bills amending SC/ST lists in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, Union Tribal Minister Arjun Munda narrates the origins of the PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) scheme - which provides basic amenities to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal groups (PVTGs). 

He said that he had written to all state CMs questioning the reduction of population of certain tribes in their respective states and to ascertain more tribes which must be covered under the PM-JANMAN scheme. Explaining the two bills, he says that spelling variations of certain tribes and new communities have been added to the state’s SC/ST lists to give them justice. HE laments the exclusion of primitive tribes from the constitutional lists for 75 years, saying that they were bereft of constitutional rights. 

Deputy Chairman Harivansh is presiding over the session.

Read here: Bills amending SC, ST bills in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha

In Lok Sabha, Baramati MP Supriya Sule asks the government how it plans to prevent the use of technology in cheating. “People are now using technology for copying. How are you going to control this from both ends — from the exam side and from the person who is giving the exam,” Ms. Sule asked.

The MP was speaking on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 which was earlier in the day moved for consideration and passing. 

CPI MP Binoy Viswam questions the absence of President Droupadi Murmu’s absence from the inaugural of both the new Parliament building. He accuses the BJP of favouring the upper castes and not the tribes. He says, “Only when the elections have comes they bring bills to lure the tribes. But after the election, they will forget them”, while speaking in support of the two amendments to the SC/ST lists in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in the Rajya Sabha. 

His words are opposed by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav who asks, “Has your polit bureau ever had a woman member?”.

MP Achyutananda Samanta of the BJD speaks in favour of the Bill. He says the Bill is the need of the hour. “The climate of cruel competition is instilled in students. Cheating is perceived as an effective shortcut to passing examinations. Desperate parents are also ready to go to any extent to see their kids emerge victorious… The presence of fear is justified as important and is used to threaten children. Exams are more about elimination than selection thereby enhancing the importance of coaching. Alternate methods which involve more humane ways to examine aptitude and competency of students must be identified,” the Odisha leader adds.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan speaks in support of the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order Amendment, 2024 and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders 

(Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Upper House. The Bill allows to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in relation to Andhra Pradesh and list of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in relation to Odisha. 

Accusing the Odisha cabinet of attempting to usurping tribal community’s land, Mr. Pradhan said that it took a major protest by the tribes to rescind the decision. Irked by the accusation, BJP MP Dr. Sasmit Patra criticised Mr. Pradhan for making comments on the Odisha cabinet’s decision. Citing Rule 238 (5), Dr. Patra critiqued the Minister for seeking Delhi’s intervention in state’s matters. 

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar urges both MPs to cool down and address the matter in a calm manner. He does not find any violation by Mr. Pradhan and urges Dr. Patra to not press on the point of order.

Speaking on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill in Lok Sabha, Vellore MP D.M. Kathir Anand remarked, “The imprisonment only talks about imprisonment punishment and fine. It doesn’t talk about how these malpractices can be controlled. Why are these even happening? For instance, ascertaining why a student cheats. There should be a comprehensive policy to attract students to training centres. You have a policy for punishment but what have you done for aspirants?”

Participating in the discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, Kerala Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh urged the government to consider punishment not only for direct culprits but also for intermediary agents.

The bill introduces “specific substantive law” to deal with unfair means adopted of offence committed in public examinations of the Central Govt or its agencies. The statements of objects hold, “It is imperative that elements that exploit vulnerabilities of examination system are identified and effectively dealt with by a comprehensive Central legislation”. 

More on the bill here. 

He stated unfair means and improper conduct of exams stood as a matter of concern for both parents and students. Dr Singh stating the bill would introduce necessary punishments for those who hamper potential opportunities for meritorious youth, sought the bill be passed with unanimous agreement. 

Charging the opposition for trivialising the matter, he told the house that notwithstanding the attempts, people would only find “Modi, Modi and Modi” alongside the development undertaken during the current Union Govt’s regime. He further stated, on according reservation to OBCs in the erstwhile state, the opposition without lending much clarity were ignorant of the intent. 

Elaborating on his assertion, Mr Rai told the house that it was Prime Minister Modi’s government that had 27 ministers belonging to the OBC community. He added that OBC enrolments in Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodya Vidyalaya and Sainik Schools have increased 33% in the last nine years. 

Mr Rai argued the house since the abrogation of Article 370, (social) justice was ensured in the region. He added that the state has recorded more than 2 crore tourist footfalls- ensuring more employment opportunities for the citizens, including those from Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

He urged the house to pass the bill unanimous agreement to ensure welfare of the OBC community in the state. 

While members from the opposition benches, including TMC MP Sougata Roy and NCP MP Supriya Sule, raised concerns about the absence of representative government in the erstwhile state with no elections in sight. They also sought the intent of the treasury to restore statehood to the now Union Territories. Members particularly referred to the abrogation of Article 370 being the first instance in India’s independent history when a state was reduced to the status of a Union Territory. 

Leader of Opposition Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, referring to the abrogation of Article 370 and the treasury’s assertion-concerns in the light, accused the government of “fiddling with the demographic composition of Jammu and Kashmir” in order to “score political brownie points”. 

Treasury, on the other hand, questioned the family-centred governance in the state prior to the abrogation of Article 370. Member from Amravati (Maharashtra) argued every amendment introduced in the house instilled a new sense of confidence in the people of the erstwhile state. 

The Upper House takes up discussion on the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024. 

The first Bill seeks to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in Andhra Pradesh, while the second one seeks to modify the list of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Odisha.

The motion seeks to suspend the provisions of rule 17 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) in its application to the motion for consideration and passing of the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024; the Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024; and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 by the House.

The motion has been adopted through a voice vote.

Mr Masoodi, raising concerns about the federal structure, sought why laws for a state were being amended at the national parliament. He argued that the bill in discussion should be tabled at the state assembly. The Anantnag MP put forth that this would have ensured local inputs and considerations acquiring light. 

He sought the government must work on ensuring elections at the earliest in the state. Mr Masoodi also sought the government must also now introspect the dilution of Article 370. 

Mr Masoodi previously elaborated on the context. He pointed to the ongoing protests for statehood in Leh and Ladakh. This was at a time, he explained, when the region was experiencing sub-zero temperatures. 

Specifically refuting the treasury’s assertion about militancy being under control in the erstwhile state, he told the house that twenty officers lost their lives in the last three months. 

In response to assertions about ensuring elections in the state, Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra pointed to the successful conduct of elections at the sarpanch, block and zila panchayat levels. 

Referring to the rule book, Mr Chowdhury argued that the day was allocated for budget and thus, the treasury could present the bill but not put it up for discussion. Officiating chair, Rajendra Agrawal having no found no discrepancy stated the same has happened in the past. He told Mr Chowdhury the parliament adheres to both established conventions and past practices. 

The legislation aims to provide reservation to OBCs in the local bodies and bring consistency in the laws with the provisions of the Constitution. 

“With this, justice will be ensured to the citizens of Other Backward Classes of Jammu and Kashmir for the first time after 75 years of Independence,” the statement said. The Bill seeks to amend certain provisions of the J&K Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, the J&K Municipal Act, 2000 and the J&K Municipal Corporation Act, 2000 in consonance with the provisions of Part IX and Part IXA of the Constitution. 

Read more about the bill here. 

With the conclusion of the Question Hour, the Lower is laying important papers for discussion on the table of the house. 

Speaker Om Birla told the house he has not accepted any motion of adjournment moved by members. 

Quoting IMD, Mr. Mangaraj says that lightning claims 2,500 lives annually in India. “Studies indicate that lightning strikes will increase about 12% for every degree rise in global average air temperature,” he says.

Odisha records the highest number of lightning strikes as per reports, Mr. Mangaraj adds. “Odisha is specifically vulnerable to frequent lightning strikes due to a complex combination of climatic factors like cyclonic activity, pre-monsoon and monsoon periods, and prevalence of high conductivity in the atmosphere,” he says.

During the discussion, DMK MP from Sriperumbudur (Tamil Nadu) T.R. Baalu observing the furore whilst presenting his question, made the remark. 

This led to members from the treasury demanding an apology. They argued that the DMK member insulted the member of the Scheduled Caste community. When handed over to complete the question, Mr Baalu further remarked that Mr Murugan replicated the remark. Speaker Om Birla said the word will be expunged. Here’s what happened

DMK MP from Nilgiris A. Raja accused the government of adopting a “stepmotherly treatment” to Tamil Nadu for the relief work after the Cyclone Michaung. He sought from the government when and what sum would be released for the same purpose. Mr Raja held that the minister’s tabled response was “evasive and irresponsible”. 

The DMK MP also sought if the relevant Ministry would be willing to endow the same amount as was accorded to BJP-ruled states. 

In response, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai told the house the funds endowed towards the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) to Chennai, about Rs 2,013 crore, were lying unutilised. This, Mr Rai informed, was given in advance – in a departure from the earlier practice that entailed post-disaster response. Members from the opposition benches, in response, asked the government to not confuse between the funds for State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF). 

Mr Rai also enumerated that the government was working towards disaster relief and mitigation with sensitivity. He told the house that the current dispensation is focussed on hiking funds towards disaster relief three times between 2010 and 2026. 

He informed the provision, by the Centre, towards Disaster Relief Fund stood at Rs 33,591 crore in 2010-15, Rs 61,220 crore in 2015-20 and estimating it would reach Rs 1.38 crore between 2021 and 2026. 

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar arrives to chants of “Jai Shree Ram” in the Upper House.

Mr. Dhankhar praises MP Kartikeya Sharma for abiding by the rules of conduct in the House. “This was noticed in the late 60s...when the Chairman comes, the members have to be wherever they are,” he says. “The protocol is, when the presiding officer comes, you be wherever you are. Kartikeya Sharma did it today.”

Members are laying papers on the Table.

Proceedings commence in the Lower House with the Question Hour