The Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day after the High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2021 was returned by the Upper House. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was passed in the the Lok Sabha.
Earlier today, Congress members and MPs from other like-minded Opposition parties walked out of the Lok Sabha as the Government did not answer to the questions posed by Congress President Sonia Gandhi. The Rajya Sabha too witnessed low attendance on Monday as Opposition MPs continued their protests over suspension of 12 members.
Here are the updates:
Zero Hour begins in Lok Sabha
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021 goes to vote
Amendment's Retrospective provision not substantiative to amend criminal laws: Finance Minister
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman speaks in the Lower House and addresses questions posed by Opposition members. "The Retrospective aspect of the amendment is not substantiative to amend the criminal laws," she says responding to the question of "Retrospective aspect" of the Bill.
On some Opposition members raising the question of Mundra Port drug seizure , "the Mundra Port belongs to the nation, not to an individual," she says. "The NCB is investigating the case and arrests have been made in this regard," the Finance Minister says.
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says there are "various issues" regarding the NDPS (Amendment) Bill. He asks "if the the Government is going to decriminalise consumption in the future"?
"India has been constantly witnessing illegal drug trafficking of thousands of crores," he says, asking, "how will that problem will be solved." He claims there are wrong cases are filed in the name of drug trafficking and asks the Government to clarify "what is the difference between consumption and trafficking?
"What was the need of this ordinance is beyond understanding," says Congress MP Balubhau Dhanorkar . Mr. Dhanorkar also points out at misuse of the NDPS Act. The Congress MP reiterates that punishment should be granted to drug peddlers and not drug consumers.
Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day
The Upper House will resume at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
Kerala Congress MP Thomas Chazhikadan says usage of synthetic dugs have increased in the country. "The biggest challenge is to adapt a rehabilitative approach and not only a punitive one," he says, adding, "punitive measures alone will not help eradicate the drug menace".
What is the 'High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2021'?
The High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2021 has been passed in the Rajya Sabha today.
The Bill seeks to amend: (i) the High Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1954, and (ii) the Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1958. These Acts regulate the salaries and conditions of service of the judges of High Courts and the Supreme Court of India.
Additional quantum of pension or family pension: Under the Acts, all retired judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts and their family members are entitled to pension or family pension. They are also entitled to an additional quantum of pension or family pension when they attain a certain age in accordance with a specified scale. The scale contains five age brackets (with minimum age of 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 years), and the additional quantum increases with age (from 20% to 100% of the pension or family pension). The Bill clarifies that a person will be entitled to the additional pension or family pension from the first day of the month in which they complete the minimum age under the concerned age bracket. - PRS
Rajya Sabha passes High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2021
Kiren Rijiju speaks on security of courts and judges. "The Law Ministry and the Home Ministry have taken a notice of incidents happening in courts," the Law Minister says.
On fast-track courts, the Law Minister says that except for one State, fast-track courts have been established throughout the country. "Why is one State not cooperating," the Law Minister asks.
"There should be no gap between common people and justice," the Law Minister concludes.
Will discuss 'National Judicial Infrastructure Authority' with States: Rijiju
Kiren Rijiju informs the Upper House that "it is not the entire responsibility of the Government to appoint judges". "The problem of pendancy or vacancy cannot be solved fully," the Law Minister adds.
On 'National Judicial Infrastructure Authority', the Law Minister says "it'll be against the spirit of the Constitution if I make a formal statement on this without consulting States".
Majority of the High Courts do not want All India Judicial Services, while States are divided on the issue, the Law Minister informs members who sought a response on replacing the Collegium system with AIJS.
RSP MP N.K. Premachandran reiterates the Opposition demand to bring a comprehensive Bill. "Clearly define illicit and licit in the Bill too," the MP says.
Court infrastructure is State subject: Rijiju
Responding to members who highlighted various issues related to the judiciary, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju says "majority of infrastructure enhancement works lie in the hand of the State Governments and the Central Government will provide States with all the aid".
The Law Minister further adds that the Government is working towards enhancing digital infrastructure in courts.
On pendancy of cases, Mr. Rijiju says "most of the pending cases lie in lower judiciary and until lower judiciary is enhanced, this problem will persisit," he says. "But the way in which all the courts, including the lower courts, functioned, I'm confident that the issue of pendancy will be resolved soon too," the Law Minister adds.
The Law Minister presents data on the number of cases heard by various courts using video-conferencing and online mechanism and says "Indian courts have been the best in the world".
On National Judicial Appointment Commission, the Law Minister says it is an important aspect for the Government. "In 2015, both the Houses passed this law but it was later scrapped down later (by the Supreme Court)," the Law Minister says.
BSP MP Kunwar Danish Ali says "the biggest issue with the Bill is the once passed, it'll have retrospective effect." He continues: "tomorrow, any Government can bring in another law and criminalise anything they like."
"The Government should have brought in a retrospective Bill," the BSP MP says. "Bollywood which has brought so much name and repute for the country was being targeted," he says, adding "but when over 20,000 kg of drugs was found at Mundra port, nothing is done".
Work towards enhancing judge-population ratio: BJD's Amar Patnaik
BJD MP Amar Patnaik says "the judge-population ratio is alarming in our country and one of the lowest in the world". Therefore, the most urgent step should be taken to ensure that number of judges are increased significantly, he says.
"Per capita spending on legal service is 75 paisa per case in our country and that's where intervention is required," the BJD MP says. Mr. Patnaik also reiterates the need for enhancing digital infrastructure of the courts. Highlighting that 75% of lower courts do not have separate toilets for women, he asks, "how worse can infrastructure get?"
Number of seats in National Law University also needs to be increased, he concludes.
BJP MP K.J. Alphons requests the Opposition to "not question the Law Minister on vacancies and pendancy because most of it is State subject".
Judges salaries have increased tremendously in the last few years, the BJP MP claims. Amidst support from the Opposition MPs, the BJP MP says, "Judges should be refrained from taking up other posts after retirement".
Supporting the Opposition voices, the BJP MP also advocates for an alternate system to appoint judges and do away with the Collegium system.
"Bring upon a system of examination that brings the best of talents in judiciary," the BJP MP asks the Government. Reacting to Manoj Jha's "there is a tunnel of darkness" comment, Mr. Alphons says "India was in a tunnel of darkness" and asks "why the Indira Gandhi-government brought in the word 'socialist' in our Constitution and why not 'equalist'."
Drug abuse a disease, not a crime: NCP MP Supriya Sule
NCP MP Supriya Sadanand Sule urges the Govt. to not work "on the whims and the fancies of one officer" and bring in a concrete NDPS Law "in case you want to fight the drug menace".
"Drug consumption is an illness," she says, adding, "but those who consume are arrested and those who sell are not." "We will support a comprehensive Bill that helps eradicate drug menace, but an addict needs to go to rehab and not jail," the NCP MP says.
Ensure five-year cooling off period for retired judges before they take up Govt. position: Sanjay Singh
AAP MP Sanjay Singh says "Indian judiciary system is in place to support the privileged". Mr. Singh highlights the issue of pendancy and says, "as per a Niti Aayog data, if we start clearing all the pending cases today, it will take us 324 years to complete them."
The AAP MP gives example of cases where people had to spend several years in jail before they were acquitted by the courts and relieved of all charges. "Fast-track courts, and establishing more courts should be a priority of the Government," he says.
Mr. Singh highlights the importance of an independent judiciary. "When a judge is looking towards a government post as soon as he retires, he won't deliver justice," he says, asking the Government to rather increase the age of retirement of judges and "make a rule that for at least five years after retirement, SC and HC judges should be allowed to join a government post".
Judiciary should have more women representation: NCP MP
NCP MP Vandana Chavan says there is an urgent need of technology and digital infrastructure in courts. In some of the Tribunals, the judges unfortunately don't have the knowledge of the subject and the law academy should look into this, the NCP MP says.
"We need to have a consultation with the judiciary to bring in a replacement of the Collegium system," she says. The NCP MP also highlights the lower number of female judges in the judiciary. "At least 50% women should be included in the judicial process," she says. Furthermore, the NCP MP also highlights the issue of pendancy, urging the Government to come up with a solution for the same.
Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai South, highlights the "attack on the film makers" in this regard. "When Sushant Singh Rajput lost his life, BJP put up his posters in poll-bound Bihar with a caption na bhulenge, na bhulne denge (we will neither forget, nor let others forget)," the Shiv Sena MP says, asking "are we seriously trying to control drug abuse?"
"Instead of remedial action, they went after the Maharashtra State," Mr. Sawant says. "The whole of Bollywood was given a bad name," the Shiv Sena MP adds. "There shouldn't be a politics on drugs," Mr. Sawant says.
The Shiv Sena MP compares the case of Aryan Khan and the drug recovered at the Mundra Port in Gujarat, which is operated by Adani Ports. "The TV channels gave serious importance to the Cruise case where a very low quantity of drugs was found, but Mundra Port case remained off radar for the media as well," Mr. Sawant says.
TDP MP K. Ravindra Kumar highlights the issue of vacancy in subordinate courts and the lack of infrastructure at the courts. "Judiciary is not financially independent," the TDP MP says, adding "courts depend on the mercy of the State of the Central Government."
"When Kapil Sibbal was the Law Minister, Arun Jaitley had made points on why judges should not appoint judges," Mr. Kumar says. He adds: "the scenario hasn't changed today and they should listen to their own words at least".
YSRCP MP from Tirupati, M. Gurumoorthy says highlights the data on deaths due drugs overdose and says "we should give more whip to the Narcotics Control Bureau and connect the NCB with State police".
The YSRCP MP also highlights the steps taken by the Andhra Pradesh Government to control drub abuse.
Dalits suffer the most because of cases on undertrial prisoners: Manoj Jha
Manoj Kumar Jha, RJD MP from Bihar, says "if we look at the data of undertrial prisoners, 75% of them belong from the lower caste". He says there is a urgent need to increase diversity in the judiciary.
"When political life is so brutally divided, we need judges who can stand up to any power," he says quoting former PM Nehru. He supports Nitin Gadkari's advice that there should be a cooling-off period.
Mr. Jha says that there should be at least four more benches of the Supreme Court of India to ensure justice is in everybody's reach.
DMK MP V. Kalanidh i, talking on the NDPS (Amendment) Bill, shoots several questions at the Government. "What was the need for this Bill," he asks. "How many of these 238 listed drugs are being regularly consumed," he further asks, adding, "can the list of 238 serious drugs be shortened?"
He says that adequate action is not being taken against people who sell or peddle drugs, but action is rather taken against those who are found to be possessing small quantities.
"Ordinances of this nature should not be promulgated," Mr. Kalanidhi says, asking the Treasury Benches to oppose such ordinances and "help Parliament function better".
JD(U) MP Ram Nath Thakur says that while talking about the salaries and pensions of the judges, "there should also be an immediate decision on attacks in the court," which, he says, is a "recent phenomenon".
Mr. Thakur also asks the Government to think about the problem of overcrowding in the jails as well as decide on filling-up of vacancies in the court. The JD(U) MP also bats for reservation in judiciary to ensure enclusiveness.
Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav says "SC, ST and OBC judges are required in the judiciary to eradicate injustice against the marginalised class".
When cases related to injustice to Dalits reach course, their voice is not represented as the poor class does not have representation, the SP MP says. The Bill for judicial accountability, which was dismissed by the Supreme Court, should be brought back to the Parliament, Mr. Yadav concludes.
If proposed NDPS Bill is passed, nobody will be safe: Manish Tewari
Manish Tewari, Congress' Anandpur Sahib (Punjab) MP, talking on the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, says, "if this bill is accepted in the form in which the Government has proposed it, it will nullify Article 20 of the Constitution."
"If the proposed bill is passed, nobody in the country will be safe," the Congress MP says. Mr. Tewari supports the idea of the NDPS Act, but expresses his reservation on the "content of the proposed Bill".
The Bill will not stand judicial scrutiny, the Congress MP says, asking the Government to bring a Bill with further amendments.
John Brittas, CPI(M) MP from Kerala, continues: "There are two kinds of judges those who know the law and the other who know Law Minister." "How many judges do you know, Mr. Law Minister," the CPI(M) MP asks.
He reminds the Law Minister that during the last expansion of the cabinet “sizeable number of OBC members were included, making it the most diverse cabinet”. But when it comes to judiciary its not the same," he says, giving number of "Brahmin judges" since independence. BJP MPs disrupt him as he tries to give more statistics.
Talking on the High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2021, John Brittas, CPI(M) MP from Kerala, says "judges appointing judges is unheard of" and is only followed in India. "Is there any country in the world where judges are appointed secretively," he asks, alleging that the Law Minister keeps a mum on this.
"Are we creating a system of patronage, give and take and oligarchy," the CPI(M) MP asks. "Indeed we are," Mr. Brittas says.
Mr. Brittas asks Law Minister Kiren Rijiju for a "clear stand on Indian Judicial Commission".
What is the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021?
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was introduced in Lok Sabha today. The bill seeks to replace the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021.
The Bill amends the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 to correct a drafting error. The Act regulates certain operations (such as manufacture, transport, and consumption) related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Punishment for financing illicit activities or harbouring persons engaged in them: Under the Act, financing certain illicit activities (such as cultivating cannabis or manufacturing narcotic drugs) or harbouring persons engaged in them is an offence. Persons found guilty of this offence will be punished with rigorous imprisonment of at least ten years (extendable up to 20 years) and a fine of at least one lakh rupees.
Drafting error: In 2014, the Act was amended and the clause number of the definition for such illicit activities was changed. However, the section on penalty for financing these illicit activities was not amended and continued to refer to the earlier clause number. The Bill amends the section on penalty to change the reference to the new clause number. This amendment will be deemed to have been in effect from May 1, 2014 (i.e., when the 2014 amendments came into effect). - PRS
Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021 moved in LS
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moves the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in the Lower House.
YSRCP MP seeks financial aid for Andhra
A.P. Govt.’s exchequer has already gone empty, says K.R.R. Krishna Raju, YSRCP MP from Narsampuram, Andhra Pradesh, seeking financial aid from the Centre. “Even paying salaries and pensions have become difficult,” he says.
BJP MP from Salempur, U.P. , talks about the increasing number of cases of cancer in the country and especially his Parliamentary Constituency. He requests the Government to establish a cancer centre in Salempur.
Easy to preach social justice, difficult to practice it: BJP MP hits out at Congress
BJP MP from Rajasthan Ramkumar Verma, responding to Ms. Yajnik’s comments, says the Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is focussing towards ensuring social justice. He lists out various Central Government schemes, including Jan Dhan Yojana, where service has been delivered to the people without any bias.
Talking about Rajasthan, he says that even after one year, people do not get compensation promised by the State Government. He also attacks the Rajasthan Government for not fulfilling promises made before the polls. “Talking about social justice is easy and providing it is difficult,” he responds to Ms. Yajnik.
What is the 'High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2021'?
The High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2021 was introduced in Rajya Sabha today, and in the Lok Sabha on November 30, 2021, by the Minister of Law and Justice, Mr. Kiren Rijiju.
The Bill seeks to amend: (i) the High Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1954, and (ii) the Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1958. These Acts regulate the salaries and conditions of service of the judges of High Courts and the Supreme Court of India.
Additional quantum of pension or family pension: Under the Acts, all retired judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts and their family members are entitled to pension or family pension. They are also entitled to an additional quantum of pension or family pension when they attain a certain age in accordance with a specified scale. The scale contains five age brackets (with minimum age of 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 years), and the additional quantum increases with age (from 20% to 100% of the pension or family pension). The Bill clarifies that a person will be entitled to the additional pension or family pension from the first day of the month in which they complete the minimum age under the concerned age bracket. - PRS
Congress members and MPs of like-minded parties walk out in protest
Earlier, during the adjournment of the Lower House, Congress members and MPs of like-minded parties walked out in protest since the Government didn't respond to their demand for a reply to Sonia Gandhi's statement.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said we walked out in protest against the Government's lackadaisical attitude
Congress MP Amee Yajnik , talking on the High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2021, says "none of us has objection with this amendment bill, but issues of prime importance like pendancy of cases, vacancies in courts and most importantly social justice, needs to be addressed at the earliest."
Where are the gram nyayalayas (village courts), she asks. "Why are there only talks in this regard and no action," Ms. Yajnik asks.
Proceedings resume in the Lower House
Sad that I'm speaking while fellow MPs continue to sit outside: Congress MP
Amee Yajnik, INC MP from Gujarat , starts speaking on the bill. She says "justice, as Mahatma Gandhi said, is truth". When we talk about justice, we should strive towards social justice, she says. "Is the government sensitive towards filling up vacancies, is something being done to clear the backlogs," she says.
Amidst voices of protest from the Opposition MPs, Ms. Yajnik says, "I'm feeling sad to be speaking while my fellow MPs keep sitting outside". "Please speak on the bill," the deputy Chairman says, asking the Opposition MPs to let Ms. Yajnik speak on the bill.
Mallikarjun Kharge asks the Chair to allow the Leader of the Opposition time to speak on the suspension of MPs . "You can speak on the motion," the Deputy Chairman responds.
Law Minister moves the motion to pass the High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill
The High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2021 has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha by the Minister of Law and Justice, Mr. Kiren Rijiju.
The Bill seeks to amend: (i) the High Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1954, and (ii) the Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1958.
These Acts regulate the salaries and conditions of service of the judges of High Courts and the Supreme Court of India.
Rajya Sabha resumes
Lok Sabha adjourned till 2:10 p.m.
'Take back CAA'
Kunwar Danish Ali (BSP) raises the issue of CAA. He says that like the Prime Minister took back the three controversial farm laws, similarly he should take back CAA, ensure that cases lodged against students and activists be withdrawn and that the Prime Minister apologise.
Vinayak Raut (Shiv Sena0, is the third member of the house who speaks on the issue of unseasonal rain in Maharashtra. He highlights the severe impact of these unseasonal rains and requests appropriate relief from the NDRF
'Silent pandemic engulfing our country'
"A silent pandemic engulfing our country," Pratima Mondal 9AITC) says as she speaks on the subject of education during COVID-19 times, online schooling and the dearth of digital literacy.
"More funds should be allocated to education and psycho-social support be provided to those who lost their parents," she says,
'If PM's account can be compromised, are Twitter accounts of common man secure?'
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (INC) recalls the Prime Minister's Twitter account being compromised yesterday. "If Prime Minister's account can be compromised, then how can the Twitter accounts of the common man be protected?" he asks.
"He should come and address the parliament what he plans to do about legalisation of cryptocurrency," Mr. Chowdhury adds.
Hanuman Beniwal (RLP) speaks on the issue of "Congress promising to waive off farmer debt if it comes into power". He says the reality since they came into power has been different.
His statement generates strong opposition in the house, as members rise to register their displeasure.
Matters of Urgent Public Importance being taken up currently in the Lower House.
Manguta Sreenivasulu Reddy raises the issue of compensation being provided to Home Guards.
Malook Nagar urges the government to increase preparedness for a possible third wave of COVID-19.
'Reflects extremely poorly on standards on education and testing'
Sonia Gandhi addresses the Lok Sabha on a "shockingly regressive passage" published in the Class 10 CBSE Board Exam held on 11.12.2021.
"Entire is riddled with such condemnable ideas and the questions that follow are equally nonsensical," says Ms. Gandhi, objecting strongly to "such blatantly misogynistic material".
"Reflects extremely poorly on standards on education and testing," she says urging the Ministry and CBSE to immediately withdraw the question and issue an apology.
In Class 10 English examination, an exercise on comprehension blamed “feminist revolt” and "emancipation of the wife" for indiscipline among teenagers at home. The choice of the passage evoked sharp criticism from several spheres.
Dharmendra Pradhan moves the motion that two members from amongst themselves to serve as members on the Council of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
The motion passes.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 p.m.
'Opposition has no regret for what they have done'
"Opposition has no regret for what they have done," the Leader of the House says. "Even on such an auspicious day when a temple's construction is starting in Kashi, they are creating a ruckus in the House," Mr. Goyal says amid sloganeering from the Opposition MPs.
Proceedings resume in the Rajya Sabha
Proceedings resume in the Rajya Sabha
Piyush Mishra starts with saying Anand Sharma has labelled unverifyable charges.
Question Hour concludes in Lok Sabha
Question Hour concludes in Lok Sabha. Papers being laid on the table.
'Digital skills are important requirement for every Indian'
"80% of our farmers don't even understand the meaning of the word 'digital', then how will you provide them Digital Skill training?," asks Jaskaur Meena (BJP)
"In COVID times it has become very clear that digital skills are important requirement for every Indian. New programs have been designed and existing programs are being offered in hybrid mode," replies Rajeev Chandrashekhar, MoS, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
'Our intention to work on employability and income increase'
"After the New Education Policy where vocational training has been integrated into education, we are going to soon deliver vocational and skilling programs through Eklavya schools" on the skilling network in Maharashtra, replies Rajeev Chandrashekhar, MoS, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
"Employability is an important outcome of the schemes we run, and different schemes render different employability outcomes. Employability and income increase is something we want to ensure for every scheme," he responds to another question.
Out of 15.5 lakh students trained in Maharashtra, 3.2 lakh students belong to the tribal community, the MoS informs the house.
On girl-child education
Shashi Tharoor asks on the subject of female students dropping out of school due to pandemic-induced situations, citing a UNICEF report. "Has the government taken cognizance of such reports?," he enquires
"Government has already issued 13 advisories to all States and UTs, and through different portals students are being taught," replies Subhas Sarkar, MoS, Education.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 noon
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12. Deputy leader of Congress in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge once again urged the Government to find a solution to the impasse on suspension of 12 Opposition MPs. They staged a walkout, after the Leader of House Piyush Goyal failed to respond
Opposition stages walkout
The Chair urges the protesting members who are now in the Well to go back to their seats. Mallikharjun Kharge, MP, says that the Chair is the custodian of the House, and says, "We have been repeatedly asking to resolve the issue, but the government is adamant, so we will walkout," and stages the walkout.
'Both sides should come together and discuss the issue'
Anand Sharma, MP, appeals to the Chair to discuss the suspension of the MPs, and find a constructive solution, to which the Chair says that if both sides come together and discuss the issue, it can be resolved, and dismisses the issue. The Opposition starts protesting, but the Chair proceeds with the Zero Hour.
On question of Dharavi slum being a "non recovery area", and therefore not having a nationalised bank, Bhagawat Karad, MoS Finance replies "Opening of bank is decided at State-level bank committee, I suggest that it be taken up with them, and post-survey a bank will be opened and citizens there will be able to avail the schemes by the Prime Minister.
Bhagawat Karad, MoS Finance says, "Substantial leave for 2 years to meet their special issues...are given to female staff. Favourable transfer policy is also given." to a question regarding status of female employees in Public Sector banks.
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin. The Chair requests the Members to observe silence for all those people who lost their lives in the 2001 Parliament Attack.
Lok Sabha proceedings begin
Lok Sabha proceedings begin.
The speaker recalls the December 13, 2001 attack on the Parliament. "On this occasion we reaffirm our resolution to fight against terrorism," says Mr. Birla.
Vice President M. Venkaiah Nadu pays homage to the martyrs of 2001 Parliament attack.
Legislative Business for December 13, 2021 is as follows:
Lok Sabha:
1. Nirmala Sitharaman to move The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
2. Further discussion on climate change raised by Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on 8th December, 2021.
Rajya Sabha:
1. Kiren Rijiju to move The High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2021.
2. Papers to be laid on the table.
Day 10 Recap
On the 10th day of the Winter Session, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar informed the Lok Sabha that no farmer had lost their life due to police action during the farmers’ agitation.
Climate took centre stage in both the houses. The lower house held a nearly four-hour long discussion on Climate Change under the rule 193, with as many as 21 members speaking extensively on the topic. In the Rajya Sabha as well, climate change was discussed at length. Congress’ Rajya Sabha member Amee Yajnik asked the Government to set up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to work with all stakeholders .
Law Minister Kiren Rijiju also told the Lok Sabha that the Ministry of Home Affairs has no proposal under consideration to scrap Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that deals with sedition.
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