Parliament Budget Session updates | Rajya Sabha had a stormy start; Lok Sabha relatively calm

LS adjourned upto 11 a.m., Monday, Feb 5, 2024.

BJP MP Lokhet Chatterjee from West Bengal says: “In Bengal, ED, CBI get assaulted. TMC knows, but the police is unable to find the perpetrators. There is corruption in the State. Farming is affected in West Bengal. But under PM Modi’s initiatives, 1.75 lakh PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Kendra have been established. The government increased allocation per farmer to ₹8,000. PM Modi is considered a futuristic leader.”

“After so many centuries, we now have Ram Lalla. But people ask, where is Sita? We already have temples for goddess Sita. Ram Lalla’s temple has his idol in his child form. That’s why there is no statue of Sita with him.”

Ranchi BJP MP Sanjay Seth thanks PM Modi’s Swachhata Mission for solid waste management in Ranchi. “Mr. Modi has even guaranteed that even piped water would be clean enough. The PM’s dream of Vande Bharat has also come true.” 

“PM Modi gives lakhs of jobs to all. When Jharkhand govt said they will distribute job offers, it never happened.”

“Several schemes like PM Kisan Samman, Garib Kalyan, Vishwakarma Yojana have been launched by the PM. His vision is to make the entire country Atmanirbhar.”

Assam’s INC MP Abdul Khaleque talks about delimitation, NRC issues.

“Govt chooses to rely on NITI Aayog data, this is not good for democracy. The rush to GST implementation, unemployment, ecenomic setbacks, need to be addressed. There is an erosion of parliament’s values under the PM’s govt,” DMK MP Senthilkumar S says.

BJP MP Santosh Pandey talks about achievements of BJP govt. He says, “Women took the lead in India’s Republic Day parade. Women scientists took the centre stage.” 

“Only PM Modi’s govt could help the citizens with free ration scheme.”

INC MP from Shillong, Vincent H. Pala speaks about development of northeast, about aspirations of Meghalaya. “Meghalaya wants to push for inclusion of Khasi in 8th Schedule of Constitution. The process should begin as soon as possible,” he says. 

“Christians are harassed and insulted. The percentage of Christians is less, but they contribute a lot in nation building. Many incidents against Christians is a concern.”

BJD MP from Odisha, Bhartruhari Mahtab says he supports the ‘One Nation, One Election’. He said, “The latest corruption perception index suggests that corruption in public sector in India stands at 93 out of 180 countries. The corruption is hampering our election process.”

While addressing the motion of thanks on the President’s address, Delhi BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri heaps praises on PM Narendra Modi and says every other Opposition party is filled with dynasties whereas the ruling party is not like that. 

“It’s due to Modiji’s willpower, many development projects have been launched and India is flourishing,” he says.

“No one has come out of poverty. The govt is full of contradictions.” 

“We need to discuss issues like high prices, income tax, CBI, ED. We want the honourable Prime Minister to address several issues and we would also like to give our inputs to make this country better.” 

“Ujwala Yojana has not done well as the govt intended to do. I’m sure the govt had good intentions, but a cylinder still costs a lot and many citizens are unable to avail any concession.” 

“Ayushman Bharat card is not useful in times of need. A beneficiary could not use his card when his mother suffered a brain stroke. The card needs to have a wider scope and should be helpful in times of need.”

The INC MP says, “The ruling party in India today believes that uniformity is unity. We in opposition will always fight to preserve the diversity of India.” 

“Our honourable President was brought in to this house with a Sengol. But the Sengol witnessed tresspassing in this House. This Sengol is supposed to see justice and fairness.”

“In Ladakh, our shepherds were chased away. But President is being mislead into believing that our borders are safe. I think someone forgot to mention the Manipur crisis to the President. It has been neglected and the govt has been completely mute.”

“This very govt has said that 9.64 lakh job vacancies are there. But govt is misleading the President that jobs are created here.”

Mr. Owaisi says, “Civilisation cannot be rewritten by hatred. PM Modi has made India a Hindu country. ‘Neighbourhood first’ should be the policy, but the country is moving towards a ‘social media first’ policy. Why do we hate Aligarh Muslim University so much? Hindus also study there.”

Upper House has been adjourned till 11 AM, Monday, February 5, 2024

MPs from the South keep raising the issue of Hindi imposition, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said during his speech in the Lower House, while also singling out Congress MP Karti Chidambaram.

“I want to tell this august House that I come from Karnataka, my mother tongue is Kannada. I do not want any kind of Hindi imposition, and if there is one party that has resisted Hindi imposition, has been against imposition of any kind, has always supported the vitality, diversity of various languages of India, it is my party the BJP.”

In his speech during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address comparing the time before the Modi government, and now. He calls PM Modi a “ray of hope” and the last 10 years “a decade of transformation in the country’s political history”

He says that maximum efforts of the government earlier were to postpone and not resolve the problem. He added that the Modi government is not like this citing the “decisive action on Kashmir.”

BJD MP Sasmit Patra moves the Sal leaves collectors and traders’ welfare bill, 2022 which seeks establishing a Rs 300 crore fund for the tribal communities involved in Sal leaves. Reminiscing eating food on Sal leaves in his childhood, he laments the treatment of Sal leaves today while the west is using it as a eco-friendly plates. 

In reply, Union tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda appreciates BJD MP’s sentiment on Sal leaves but says that the Centre cannot keep introducing a separate bill on each tribal community. He requests him to withdraw the bill and give suggestions as to how promote tribal welfare. The bill is withdrawn.

The most unfortunate thing is that the President’s address became a political statement glorifying anti-people policies adopted by this government, said Congress MP Dean Kuriakose, adding that the reality is very different. 

The MP from Kerala recalled the promises made by the ruling party prior to elections and presented figures contradicting their statements.

In his speech, DMK MP Kalanidhi Veeraswamy cited a news item regarding a draft notice by UGC regarding “de-reservation” of seats. He said, “This government claims that they are giving importance to the education of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, but only a few days ago, UGC came out with a circular stating that reservation of SC, ST and OBC can be left alone if adequate number of students have not joined in.”

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal was quick to respond to this and said that the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had clarified only a few days ago that the reserved seats cannot be dereserved.

Inspite of a thorough debate, CPI(M) VD Sivadasan withdraws the constitutional amendment to seek change in the appointment of governors

Speaking in support of the constitutional amendment bill, 2022, CPI(M) MP DV Sivadasan from Kerala says election of President has not led to parallel power structure in the nation, hence the election of a governor via the legislative assembly cannot do the same. He cites various instances when elected governments have sought the removal of governor due to the issues faced for passage of bills, overstepping of power. 

As he mentions several states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and the governors, Chair Harivansh says that a substantive motion has to be made to mention the instances. Talking about Kerala’s issue with its governor and the autonomy of institutions, he says is unable to mention the actual instances due to the Chair’s instruction. 

Our Hon’ble President, being a Scheduled Tribe person, has not been able to mention a word of the horrors that have happened in the northeastern State, said DMK MP Kalanidhi Veeraswamy. 

It is sad that this Govt. didn’t give her an opportunity to say a single thing, he added. 

He said that the Govt. keeps bringing up what has taken place over the last ten years, and went on to cite the progressive steps taken by the Union Governments headed by previous Prime Ministers. 

He went on to speak on issues of poverty, and the Citizenship Amendment Act (pointing out that the Sri Lankan Tamils have been excluded from it)

Bhartbuhari Mahtab, who was in the chair at the time, interjected to state that the CAA dealt with matters of religious persecution, to which Mr. Kalanidhi stated that the persecution of Tamils in Sri Lanka was on the religious and linguistic basis. 

MoS Home affairs Ajay Kumar Teni replies to a Private members’ bill seeking a constitutional amendment of articles 155 and 156. He says the bill seeks appointment of a state’s governor by the President after concurring with the Chief Minister. The bill further allows the governor to hold the post for five years only and can be removed from office by the President with concurrence with the CM. 

Terming the suggested amendments as political and unconstitutional, he says that a governor must be apolitical and must not be answerable to the CM. Slamming the suggested amendment, he reminds that the Congress had passed a constitutional amendment by declaring emergency in the nation just to save Indira Gandhi’s power. In contrast he lists the eight constitutional amendments passed by the Modi government which were all aimed at social and economic welfare. 

Read full text of the Bill here

Amol Kolhe, during his speech on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, raised the issue of increasing Leopard attacks in the State of Maharashtra. He says that a solution to this problem can come in the form of continued supply of electricity to the affected regions. 

He also spoke on the issue of ban on Onion export. He said that this has resulted in loss of income to Maharashtrian farmers, while farmers from Pakistan have cornered this market internationally.

Speaking during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, BSP MP Malook Nagar went on to praise the Centre’s attention paid to the villages situated at the border areas of the country. 

However, he also went to request for improved facilities in those regions. 

After LOP’s speech, the Upper House takes up private members’ bills. Deputy Chairman Harivansh is presiding over the session

Highlighting the recent ED probe into Opposition leaders like Lalu Yadav, Hemant Soren, Rajya Sabha LOP Mallikarjun Kharge criticises the break down of political civility. Citing the bipartisan feeling evoked by late PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he urges the BJP to not target its Opposition. He also condemned the torture of security breach accused for naming one political party. 

Comparing the hurdles faced by the JMM-Congress coalition to form a new Jharkhand government to that of Bihar, he says, “Nitish Kumar resigned and within 15 minutes he was allowed to stake claim and name a new cabinet. But in Jharkhand, inspite of having signatures of 43 MLAs, the governor delayed allowing formation of a new government”. 

He ends his speech after 1 hour, 40 minutes.

Speaking during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address YSRCP MP B.V. Satyavathi, begins by commending the Centre on their success in Space missions. 

She moves on to raise a few points regarding the President’s speech. Ms. Satyavathi cites “critical issues regarding the coverage of the Centre’s ration card under the National Food Security Act 2013 in Andhra Pradesh that need immediate attention.”

She says the problems arise primarily due to relying on the 2011 census.

She also raises the issue of climate change vulnerability and cites several cyclones in recent years. “I urge the Govt. to institute a permanent central fund to compensate cyclone victims in Andhra Pradesh”

Listing the achievements of the Nehru administration and the past Congress governments, Mr. Kharge compared them to the Modi era. He condemns the BJP for only criticizing late PM Jawaharlal Nehru and not crediting him for laying the foundation for democracy, secularism, scientific temper etc. He lists socio-economic indexes like mortality, nutrition, education, health, investment of the Congress to the BJP era, claiming the progress is meagre.

AITC MP Kakoli Ghosh in her speech during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, raises the issue of the “draconian notice given by the National Medical Commission to the doctors all over the country, to act like bonded labourers sign in and sign out”

The NMC should not be allowed to bring this notice, she says. 

She also speaks about a “demographic deficit” while raising issues pertaining to unemployment. 

While condemning the BJP MPs for hesitating to implement women’s reservation, LOP Mallikarjun Kharge said, “This time you say more than 400 seats. Most of you are elected by Modi’s blessing”. His next words were drowned by major applause from the treasury benches and Leader of House saying, “You speak the only the truth”. Mr. Kharge is listing the unfulfilled promises of the Modi government. 

The Rajya Sabha is discussing the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address.

Addressing the Speaker, BJP MP Smriti Irani cites Rules 352 and 353, while objecting to remarks made by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi in his speech during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.

She asks the Speaker to expunge the following: his objectionable remarks against the President’s address, his remarks made against decision taken by the Lok Sabha, and his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi (specifically him calling the Prime Minister a “maharaj”).

DMK MP T.R. Baalu quotes the President’s speech in which she said that this Parliament enacted a law providing citizenship to persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries. He points out that the Muslim community, and Tamil community from Sri Lanka has not been included in this. 

Our leader Mr. Stalin collected 2 crore signatures against CAA, and sent it to the President, Mr. Baalu said but that has not been considered. 

Mr. Baalu goes on to speak on the issue of the lagging work on the second phase of metro in Tamil Nadu.

DMK MP T.R. Baalu in his speech says that despite several Central leaders touring Tamil Nadu in the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung, “not even a single paisa” has been given. He cites several meetings with the Prime Minister in January, but to no avail. 

He calls this a “step-motherly attitude towards Tamil Nadu”. Mr. Baalu goes on to raise the issue of AIIMS-Madurai which is yet to progress on the construction front. 

If the ruling party goes wrong, it is for us to condemn and correct them, DMK MP T.R. Baalu says during his speech on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. 

Similarly we have been asking the policies and programs for the development of Tamil Nadu. This pertains to the exemption of NEET, demand of higher allocation to the State, demand of flood relief, approval of second-phase metro, and so on, the Parliamentarian points out. 

During the first weeks of December 2023, the State witnessed unprecedented floods, and cyclone, surpassing 100-year records, Mr. Baalu says in his speech adding that more than 2 crore people of the State suffered. 

“The State government asked for financial support of Rs. 37,000 crore,” he said adding that no relief has been provided. 

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi in his response to the President’s Address, alleges that the Centre wants to weaken the Opposition using state machinery such as Enforcement Directorate.

He cites that when Bihar CM submitted his resignation recently, the Governor swore in the new Government the same evening. However, in case of Jharkhand when Hemant Soren resigned, 10 days were given by the Governor to stake claim. 

Speaker Om Birla interjects as Gaurav Gogoi raises points on Narendra Modi. He reminds Mr. Gogoi that within the Parliament, any statement should be presented with supporting proof. 

Mr. Gogoi ends his speech by quoting lines from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Vande Matram.

In the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Kharge asks the BJP to remove the legislator to keep up with their stand on social justice. 

In December 2023, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X and referred to the duties of Vaishyas and Shudras – at the bottom of the Hindu caste chain – toward the Brahmins and Kshatriyas, the upper castes. The post was later deleted and the CM apologised for it. Read more ​here​.

While several Parliamentarians were suspended, 14 bills were passed in three days, Gaurav Gogoi said. He went on to point out that out of 172 bills passed in the Lok Sabha, 64 bills have been passed with less than one hour of discussion. He also stated that the current Lok Sabha still does not have an Opposition leader in place as the Deputy Speaker. 

“This 17th Lok Sabha, in the history of Lok Sabhas of India who have completed five years, will show the least number of sittings, when it ends,” Mr. Gogoi said. 

Speaker Birla again asks him to speak on the President’s address. 

Speaking during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi raises the point that Ms. Murmu said in her speech that this was the first time she was stepping into the new Parliament. 

He questioned the Centre as to why she had not been invited to the inauguration ceremony of the Parliament in the first place. 

He also went on to criticise the Parliament, in reaction to which Speaker Om Birla interjects asking him to reconsider, considering his position as an experienced Parliamentarian. he urges him to stick to the subject on hand i.e. the President’s address. 

Mr. Kharge refutes the claims that the governments before PM Modi’s in 2014 did not work efficiently.

The Leader of the Opposition also says that the founders of the nation should not be forgotten. He also says that education is the most important for the development of the country. 

Member SP Singh Baghel, BJP MP from Agra, raises to second the motion of thanks offered by MP Dr. Heena Gavit. He says that this is the golden age ushered in by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He says PM Modi is far-sighted and has vision. 

BJP MP Dr. Heena Vijaykumar Gavit rises to move a motion of thanks for the address of President Droupadi Murmu on the first day of the Budget Session. She shares that she is honoured, as a woman, to present thanks for the first address of a women president in the new Parliament building. 

She says that the Opposition members looked distressed during the President’s speech, since the Centre had introduced so many benefits. 

She said “ Sapne nahi, hakeekat boonte hain....tabhi toh sabhi Modiji ko hi chunte hain.” (They weave reality not dreams, that is why everybody choses Modi) She says that in the upcoming election will be one where people vote for delivery versus delay and efficiency versus deficiency. 

The Prime Minister has focused on five elements- women, poor, the youth, the farmers and infrastructure, she says. 

She also highlights the many ways in which women have progressed post 2014, touching upon SHGs, women’s reservation bill, and central schemes for women. 

The Congress on February 1 alleged that a “conspiracy” was being hatched by the government to pressure those arrested in the Parliament security breach case to take the names of Opposition leaders so that they can be held responsible for the security lapse. Read more here

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya moves that the members of the Lok Sabha nominate a member to AIIMS Bhopal, following the resignation of Uday Pratap Singh from the Lok Sabha last December. The motion is adopted.

Speaking to press after the announcement of the interim budget yesterday, D.K. Suresh, Congress MP from Bengaluru Rural, said that southern States may have to seek a separate country if development funds are unequally distributed between them and northern States. 

He alleged that there was injustice in distribution of funds between northern and southern States, making the following statement: “We are seeing injustice on all forms... If we do not condemn it, there could be a situation when we (southern States) have to demand a separate country.”

His remarks evoked a strong response from BJP leaders, and has been brought up in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha today. 

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi brings up the matter of DK Suresh talking about the division of the country and asks the Congress if they stand by his statement. He says that the matter should be sent to the Ethics committee, that they should apologise and that action must be taken. 

Speaker Om Birla announces that he has received notices to adjourn the business of the House to discuss matters, and that he has admitted none. 

Honorarium given to Anganwadi workers is very low, RSP MP NK Premachandran points out, and asks if it will be increased. 

In his supplementary question, the member asks whether the government will extend the benefits of Employee State Insurance Medical Benefit Scheme to Anganwadi workers and helpers. 

Smriti Irani, Minister of Woman and Child Development, says that the reply the member is holding enumerates not the duties of the Anganwadi workers, but the benefits given by the government. 

She says that from Rs. 750 during the UPA regime, workers will now receive Rs. 4,500. Per every community-based event, Rs. 250 is given to workers, and Rs. 500 is given if the worker visits the houses of beneficiary or measures a child according to WHO standards. The Minister also highlights that the benefits of Ayushman Bharat have been extended to Anganwadi and ASHA workers, according to the interim budget announced yesterday. 

She also shares that the benefits of life insurance and accidental cover up to Rs. 2 lakhs have been extended to every Anganwadi worker and every State government has been informed about the same. She also shares that the pension scheme has been extended to these workers as well. 

INC MP Hibi Eden says that the National Health Mission has had a huge discrimination against the State of Kerala, saying that only Rs. 154 crores have been allotted from the outlay so far. Contract doctors, nurses, technicians are being supported by these funds, he says. During the UPA regime 90% was given by Centre and 10% by State, while now it is 60-40 split between Central and State, he states. The National Health Mission director has sent a letter to the Centre to release these funds so that healthcare in the State works well, he shares. 

Dr. M Mahendrabhai, MoS for AYUSH, says that all States are treated at par. He also shares that this question pertains to National Health Mission, while his ministry deals with National AYUSH Mission. We will still ensure that whatever proposals come in relation to Kerala will be taken care of, the Minister says. 

Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad, INC MP from Arani in Tamil Nadu, asks about whether the government will consider insurance coverage for autistic children. 

Dr. Bharat Pravin Pawar, MoS for Health and Family Welfare responds that efforts are being made to bolster screening at primary level. She shares that surgeries are done at the tertiary level. She shares that medical colleges have increased to 700 now from 350 before 2014 and that is a solution. She says that there are RBSK camps for screening of children in every district. If referred through this medium, there is free treatment and free operations are done at the tertiary level, she says. 

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge has not condemned D.K. Suresh’s statement, which shows that the Congress party is not entirely against his views, Mr. Goyal says.

MP Shashi Tharoor shares that there is a rise of violence against doctors in the country. He highlights a shocking incident where a 23-year-old doctor was murdered by a patient in Kerala, in a taluka hospital. He says that when he asked the Minister about legislation to prevent such violence, the response noted that they cannot have a specific legislation. 

In his response, the Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya pointed out that the sections of the Indian Penal Code can be used against such persons who attack doctors. 

In a reply to a question Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister for Health and Family Welfare shared that 12 crore families have benefitted from the Ayushman Bharat mission. 

MP Hasnain Masoodi brings up issues with provision of healthcare in Jammu and Kashmir. There is a lack of personnel, he says. He also shares that Srinagar is called ‘lung cancer capital’ but diagnostic equipment such as MRI and PET scan are not available. 

The Health Minister shares that all Kashmiri citizens have been guaranteed Rs 5 lakh of health coverage, and that two AIIMS are being created there. He said that full efforts are being made to hire medical professionals and ensure coverage in Kashmir. 

“Let the tempers cool,” Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar says as he tries to pacify the House.

If any allegation is levelled against a Lok Sabha member in Rajya Sabha, notice is required to be given to the Chair, Mr. Dhankhar says.

The remark insults the country’s Constitution as well as the unity and the integrity of the country, Mr. Goyal says. His supporters chime in with chants in the background while Opposition members object.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge says that he is not a member of Rajya Sabha when he is interrupted by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. 

Lok Sabha launches directly in Question Hour, despite some murmurs in the House. The first set of questions pertain to the AYUSH ministry.