Parliament Monsoon Session updates | July 25, 2022

Here are all the updates from the sixth day of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session

July 25, 2022 01:56 pm | Updated 08:33 pm IST

Raising objection: Opposition members protesting in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.

Raising objection: Opposition members protesting in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. | Photo Credit: PTI

Proceedings on the sixth day of the ongoing Monsoon Session resumed at 2 p.m, instead of 11 a.m., following the swearing-in ceremony of Droupadi Murmu as the 15th President of India on Monday at the Parliament House.

Several adjournments continued to disrupt both Houses and they adjourned for an hour till 3 p.m. a few minutes after convening amid Opposition sloganeering and protest. Four Congress members Manickam Tagore, T N Prathapan, Ramya Haridas and Jothimani were suspended for the entire Monsoon Session for waving placards in the House. Later the Lok Sabha adjourned for the day.

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha, also hit by several disruptions, continued to discuss the The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022, amid loud sloganeering by the Opposition side. The Upper House also adjourned at 5:50 p.m. shifting the consideration and passing of the Bill, as well as the Minister’s statement on it to Tuesday.

So far, both the Houses have failed to transact any significant business since the session began on July 18 with the Opposition protesting and demanding a discussion over GST on essential food commodities, high inflation and price rise. According to officials, only 27 per cent of business was done during the first week of the ongoing session in the Rajya Sabha and 16 per cent in the Lok Sabha due to continuous disruptions.

The ongoing session will conclude on August 12.

Here are all the live updates:

Lok Sabha | Answers tabled

Environment Ministry tables data on E-waste generation and processing in the country

The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change informed the Lower House in a written reply informed about the amount of E-waste generated and processed, and the capacity to process E-waste at the national level in the last three years .

Rajya Sabha | 5:53 p.m.

House adjourned till 11 a.m. on Tuesday

Rajya Sabha | 5:35 p.m.

House takes up special mentions, consideration and passing of WMD Bill shifted to tomorrow

As members of the BJP continued their statements on the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022, amid Opposition sloganeering, BJD’s Sasmit Patra, currently in the chair, announced that the Minister’s Statement on the WMD Bill and its consideration and passing will take place tomorrow.

Lok Sabha | Answers tabled

India’s total forest cover increased by 1,540 sq. km: Environment Ministry

The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change informed the Lower House in a written reply, quoting the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, that the total forest cover in the country increased by 1540 sq. km, while the tree cover increased by 721 sq. km, meaning the forest and tree cover increased by 2261 sq. km at the national level in comparison with the previous assessment i.e. ISFR 2019.

Here’s a map showing the statewise increase and decrease in forest cover between 2019 and 2021-

Rajya Sabha | 5:26 p.m.

CPI(M)‘s John Brittas says the time given to BJP members to discuss the Weapons of Mass Destruction has been exhausted

Amid heavy Opposition sloganeering on inflation and GST hikes, CPI(M) member John Brittas says the BJP is “giving names after names” of its members to speak on the Weapons of Mass Destruction Bill despite the time allotted to them having exhausted. He adds that this is being done to “prolong the discussion”.

BJD’s Sasmit Patra in the Chair, responds by saying that Mr. Brittas is not privy to the list of members who are supposed to speak on the Bill.

5 p.m.

Rajya Sabha resumes

Rajya Sabha resumes after 10-minute interruption. Chair stresses on rules about proceedings in the house and asks members to stick to them.

4.50 p.m.

Rajya Sabha adjourns till 5 p.m.

Rajya Sabha adjourns for 10 minutes after Opposition members protest by displaying placards behind BJP’s Ajay Pratap Singh while he speaks. Sasmit Patra, in the Chair, repeatedly asks the protesting members to not display placards and decides to adjourn the house for 10 minutes.

4.45 p.m.

G. K. Vasan says world concerned about weapons of mass destruction will reach ‘wrong hands’

Tamil Maanila Congress leader G. K. Vasan says that the world is concerned about weapons of mass destruction will reach the “wrong hands” and The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022, will prevent the same.

4.15 p.m.

Ruckus continues in Rajya Sabha

Discussion on The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022 continues amid Opposition’s loud protest continues inside the Rajya Sabha. BJP MP G.V.L. Narasimha Rao levels serious charges against the previous UPA government during the discussion. “We have seen how terror has been politicised by governments. We have seen the previous UPA government coining terms such as ‘Hindu terror’, ‘saffron terror’ only to mislead investigations into acts of terror and to give safe passage to number of organisations who have actually caused huge havoc in this country,” he says.

He also says that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put terrorism on the “global agenda” and on many global platforms. Meanwhile, Sasmit Patra, in the Chair, declines requests for Point of Order, saying that the request can’t be allowed until the House is in order. He requests the protesting Members to return to their seats for the Point of Order to be allowed. However, the protests continue.

4.05 p.m.

Rajya Sabha resumes, Opposition continues protest

Proceedings resume in the Rajya Sabha and the Opposition continues to protest. The House is now discussing the The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022.

Lok Sabha | 3.51 p.m.

4 MPs suspended; Lok Sabha adjourns for the day

Four MPs have been suspended. Mr. Rajendra Agrawal, who is in the Chair in the Lok Sabha, issued a warning to protesting members on waving placards. He later suspended four MPs Manickam Tagore, T N Prathapan, Ramya Haridas and Jothimani.

Meanwhile, proceedings in Lok Sabha adjourned for the day. The House will now meet at 11 a.m. tomorrow, July 25.

Lok Sabha | 3.26 p.m.

Lok Sabha takes up Zero Hour, sloganeering continues

Ruckus and sloganeering by Opposition members continues in Lok Sabha. Rajendra Agarwal, who is in the chair, has urged the protesting MPs not to disrupt proceedings, but uproar continues. 

Last week, several noteworthy data was revealed in Government’s answers in Lok Sabha. Check highlights here

Rajya Sabha | 3.12 p.m.

Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned till 4 pm

The Chair adjourns proceedings till 4 pm as opposition chants "GST pe charcha ho", "halla bol" and similar slogans. Dr. Fauzia Khan asks for discussion of price rise issue, but also asks for the house to be in order so that she can proceed with calling attention to the matter of public health with regard to rising cases of post-Covid complications. House remains in disorder, stands adjourned till 4 pm

Lok Sabha | 3:09 p.m.

Motion for election of members to Central Advisory Board of Archaeology

Minister G. Kishan Reddy moved a motion for election of members to the Central Advisory Board of Archaelogy. “That in pursuance of the provision in paragraph 9 of the Government of India, Archaeological Survey of India, Resolution No. T-17019/7/2019-EE dated 19 May, 2022, the members of this House do proceed to elect, in such manner as the Speaker may direct, two members from amongst themselves to serve as members of the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology, subject to the other provisions of the said Resolution.”

Rajya Sabha | 3.06 p.m.

Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings, uproar continues

Leader of House Piyush Goyal says that opposition members didn't discuss price rise issue even when offered opportunities, now not letting the proceedings continue. Dr. Susmit Patra presiding.

Lok Sabha | 3.01 p.m.

Proceedings resume in Lok Sabha

Adjourned soon after the Lok Sabha assembled, proceedings have resumed in Lok Sabha. Earlier, the Lower House reconvened at 2 p.m., but the Speaker adjourned proceedings following Opposition uproar over price rise and other issues. Proceedings have resume in Rajya Sabha as well.

Rajya Sabha | 2.39 p.m.

Sensitising stakeholders in civil aviation sector to give preference to Agniveers: Govt

In a written reply to a question on Agniveers, the Minister of Civil Aviation has told Rajya Sabha that the Ministry is sensitising all stakeholders in the civil aviation sector to give preference to Agniveers in employment.

“After four years of military service, the Agniveers are expected to be fit, disciplined and motivated professionals. Many of them, especially the ones involved in aircraft maintenance, flight safety, air-cargo, supply chain, administrative, IT and drones etc. will have valuable experience that will be of significant relevance to the aviation industry,” the minister said.

Read | The Agnipath scheme for armed forces

Lok Sabha | 2.22 p.m.

After Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 p.m.

As members of Opposition continued sloganeering against the Centre and demanded a discussion on price rise, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged MPs not to violate rules of the House. Saying that the Centre is ready to hold a discussion, the Speaker said that any member who brings placard into the House will not be allowed to take part in the proceedings

However, several MPs stormed the well carrying placards and raised slogans, following which the House was adjourned till 3 p.m. 

Rajya Sabha | 2.18 p.m.

House adjourns till 3 pm

Amidst vociferous protests by the Opposition about the price hike issue, the house adjourns till 3 p.m

Rajya Sabha | 2.17 p.m.

Chair permits LoP to address the House, sloganeering underway

Leader of Opposition requests a discussion on the price rise issue, MPs raise slogans and congregate in the well of the house. MP Derek O'Brien says that it has been five years, but this issue has not been discussed till date. MPs continue to demand that a discussion take place - shouting 'charcha ho, charcha ho'

Lok Sabha | 2.10 p.m.

Protests continue, Opposition raises slogans against Centre

As Lok Sabha resumes business, Opposition parties are staging a protest against inflation and the hike in the Goods and Services Tax on certain commodities of daily use. Some protesting MPs are seen holding placards and banners against the Government. The Speaker warns, asks protesting MPs not to violate rules of the House. 

Rajya Sabha | 2.03 p.m.

Rajya Sabha commences proceedings

Deputy chairman presiding, Rajya Sabha commences by congratulating Neeraj Chopra for his silver medal in the javelin throw event at the World Athletics Championship

Lok Sabha | 2.02 p.m.

Lok Sabha resumes proceedings, Speaker congratulates President Droupadi Murmu

Lok Sabha reconvened with Speaker Om Birla extending wishes to Ms. Droupadi Murmu who took oath of office of the highest constitutional post of the country on Monday. Meanwhile, Opposition continues protests.

Lok Sabha | 1.55 p.m.

Discussion under Rule 193 to be held in Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha is scheduled to discuss the need to promote sports in India and steps taken by the Government in this regard.

Parliament | 1.50 p.m.

Notices in Parliament by MPs

AAP MP Sanjay Singh has given Suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha over the alleged misuse of CBI and ED against the Delhi Government. TMC Rajya Sabha MPs Derek O'Brien and Santanu Sen have given Suspension of Business Notice on the ‘urgent need to check price rise in essential commodities.'

Meanwhile, in Lok Sabha, Congress MP Manickam Tagore has given adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha, to discuss 5 per cent GST on pre-packed and pre-labelled food grains, curd, buttermilk etc.

Parliament | 1.50 p.m.

Calling attention motion on rising cases of post-COVID complications

MP Fauzia Khan has called the attention of the Minister of Health and Family Welfare to the situation arising out of rising cases of post-COVID complications in the country.

Parliament | 1.45 pm

Monsoon Session Day 5 recap: the Antarctic Bill, India’s position on the Hunger Index, and more | Parliament Watch podcast

In this episode of the Parliament Watch podcast, we cover the passing of the Indian Antarctic Bill, Private Members’ legislative business and continued protests against price hikes. 

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