Nearly a week after the beginning of the Monsoon session, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are yet to have a whole uninteruppted day of functioning. Since Monday, the first day of the session, Opposition parties have been protesting various issue including the Pegasus spyware scandal , the consistent hike in fuel prices, and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, among others.
Meanwhile, security at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi has been tightened in view of a protest by farmers against the Centre's against the three agricultural reform laws amid the Monsoon session of Parliament, officials said.
Here are the latest updates:
Bhartruhari Mahtab is again chairing the proceedings.
Most of you are responsible members of this House. I request you all to go back to the seats. I am told the government is willing for a discussion, says Mr. Mahtab.
As the protests continue, the House is adjourned for the day.
TMC MPs tear papers as Vaishnaw reads statement in Rajya Sabha on snooping
Opposition TMC MPs tore papers and flung them into the air, throwing the Rajya Sabha into bedlam as IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw read a statement on the alleged snooping using an Israeli company spyware Pegasus.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh asked members to desist from unparliamentary behaviour, before adjourning the proceedings of the House for the rest of the day.
Lok Sabha reassembles. Bhartruhari Mahtab is in the Chair.
MoS Defence Ajay Bhatt on behalf of the Defence Minister tables a statement on the reason behind promulgating an ordinance to amend Essential Defence Services Act.
As disruptions continue, the House stands adjourned till 4 pm.
In Rajya Sabha Information and Technology Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw makes a statement in Rajya Sabha on the Pregasus snooping report. Opposition members disrupt his speech by shouting slogans.
Mr. Vaishnaw says it cannot be a coincidence that the report comes just ahead of the monsoon session.
Disruption continues. He tables his statement. House is adjourned for the day.
Rajya Sabha has the right to seek clarifications to a statement made by a Minister, unlike the Lok Sabha. But the opposition didn't halt their protests to question the minister
The Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021.
Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt seeks to introduce The Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021. Kodikkunil Suresh and N.K. Premachandran oppose the Bill.
Mr. Premachandran has strong words for opposing the Bill. He says the Bill is anti-democratic, draconian and against ILO conventions. He also says a Bill cannot be introduced when the House is not in order.
The Minister says Mr. Premachandran's fears are unwarranted. The government has no intention to harm anyone.
The Chair says the merits can be discussed when the Bill is taken up for discussion.
House is adjourned till 2 pm after the Bill is introduced.
The Inland Vessels Bill, 2021
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal introduces The Inland Vessels Bill, 2021. Kodikkunil Suresh, Manish Tewari, Hibi Eden, Adhirranjan Chowdhury and M.K. Raghavan oppose the Bill.
Amid din, the Bill is introduced.
The Bill seeks to replace the Inland Vessels Act, 1917. A key feature of the Bill is a unified law for the entire country, instead of separate rules framed by the States.
The Bill provides for a central data base for recording the details of vessel, vessel registration, crew on an electronic portal. It requires all mechanically propelled vessels to be mandatorily registered. All non-mechanically propelled vessels will also have to be enrolled at district, taluk or panchayat or village level.
The Congress members are opposing the Bill as they claim it infringes the States' rights.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh adjourns the House till 2 pm.
In Lok Sabha, Bhartruhari Mahtab is in the Chair. He says the Speaker has rejected all the adjournment motions. Opposition members continue their protest.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Parlhad Joshi says the government is ready for discussion on any topic. He says the Upper House has successfully conducted discussion on COVID management and we can have a similar discussion in the Lower House too.
Mr. Mahtab again urges members not to disrupt the House. But protests continue.
Members table various papers.
Speaker Om Birla makes repeated appeals to protesting members. He urges them to go back to their respective seats. "This is not a respectful act. I will give you time to raise all the issues you want to raise. This is not the way. Please go back to your seats..."
The appeals go invain. House is adjourned till 12 noon.
To a question on drinking water connection, Water Resources Minister says it primarily the states responsibility. Aspirational districts have been included in Jal Jeevan Mission to bring tapped water supply to the homes in these districts.
Two States and two rivers
Even as protests continue, an Andhra Pradesh questions the Krishna water dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He accuses Telangana of starting Palameru irrigation scheme without prior permission.
Water Resources Minister Gajendra Singh Shekawat says as per the AP Reorganisation Act, Krishna and Godawari Water Boards have been set up. Both the States have ignored the Central Water Commission and started multiple projects. This is the reason for the dispute, he says.
Lok Sabha assembles. Speaker Om Birla proceeds with Question Hour. Opposition party members start gathering in the Well of the House and carry placards.
It is a repeat of the scene in Rajya Sabha too. "Members are not interested in the proceedings... House is adjourned as some members are disturbing the House," says Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.
Bill for consideration and passing in Rajya Sabha
The Marine Aids to Navigation Bill, 2021.
Bills to be introduced in Lok Sabha
The Inland Vessels Bill, 2021.
The Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021.
Bills for consideration and passing
The Factoring Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
The National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Bill, 2021.
Farm law protest
Congress MPs including Rahul Gandhi protest in solidarity with farmers, in the Parliament premises on July 22, 2021.
Members of Congress party gathered near the Gandhi statue in the Parliament premises to protest against the new farm Acts. In solidarity with the protesting farmers, they sought to repeal the three farm Acts.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other leaders of the party participated in the protest.
Carrying placards and hoardings, they also raised slogans in support of the farmers and their demands.
The Congress has been demanding the repeal of the three farm laws, which the farmers are against alleging that these legislations will end the mandi and MSP procurement systems and leave them at the mercy of big corporates. The government has rejected these apprehensions as misplaced.
Farmers to protest at Parliament today
The protest against the three agricultural reform laws has come full circle, with farm unions arriving at Parliament on July 22, to demand the repeal of the laws passed 10 months ago.
With Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal giving official approval for a staggered agitation at Jantar Mantar during the monsoon session, farm leaders says the government must take responsibility for ensuring there is no conflict or chaos as seen on the Republic Day, the last time the protesters entered the capital.
