Rajya Sabha was adjourned barely 10 minutes after it assembled after AIADMK MPs protested seeking to include Tamil as a language to write postal examinations. The issue led to multiple adjournments. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad informed the upper House that the test has been cancelled and fresh examination will be conducted in all local languages, including Tamil.
The Lok Sabha approved the demand for grants for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and sat till 11 p.m. to discuss the demand for grants for the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development Ministry.
Here are the live updates:
Rajveer Singh (Raju Bhaiya) (BJP, Etah, Uttar Pradesh) had to pause his speech till tomorrow as the designated hour approached. The Lok Sabha is adjourned till 11 a.m. on July 17.
The House will sit till 11 p.m. tonight to discuss the demands for grants the farm and rural affairs Ministry.
R.K. Singh Patel, BJP, UP, says that in a country that is dependent on agriculture, a famer's son is not ready to work on the field. But the Prime Minster, in the current Budget, has ensured that enough is allocated for the welfare of the farmer, he says. Soon, the farmer's son will want to go back to working in the field, Mr. Patel says.
Agatha K. Sangma, NPP, Meghalaya, says that for a State that depends on agriculture, there are only two agriculture colleges in Meghalaya. There is a need for more colleges, she says. Ms. Sangma says the government, by introducing sustainable forms of cultivation, must help curb the widely-used method of Jhum cultivation. The method is not sustainable because of the pollution it causes, she says.
Also known as the slash and burn agriculture, Jhum cultivation is the process of growing crops by clearing the land of trees and vegetation and burning them thereafter.
Special mentions end. The house is adjourned for the day.
Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', Minister of Human Resource Development, responds to the questions put forth.
Central University (Amendment) Bill, 2019 is taken into consideration. A vote is undertaken. A clause-by-clause vote on the adoption of the Bill is undertaken.
Motion moves that the Bill be passed. The Central University (Amendment) Bill, 2019 is passed.
Special mentions begin.
Tiruchi Siva, DMK, Tamil Nadu, says that the government must concentrate on the quality of education. Teachers should be given importance, otherwise we will only produce paper graduates, he says. Talking about the tribal universities, he asks whether students from outside the tribal community will be allowed to enter. He also says exemptions of reservation in certain universities must be removed. All the universities and higher education institutions must have reservations, he says.
Binoy Viswam, CPI, Kerala reiterates that the university be named after Rohith Vermula.
Syed Nasir Hussain, INC, Karnataka, says government trying to monitor how a university thinks. What is needed is the preservation of the autonomy of the existing universities and not the establishment of new universities, he says.
He says that vacant faculty posts are not filled in the existing universities. Moreover, the kind of freedom and autonomy needed in a university space has been curbed. Hence, the best brains of the country go abroad to teach, Mr. Hussain says.
Moreover, to attract foreign students, an atmosphere of no fear and no social problems must be established in the country.
K. Ravindra Kumar, TDP, Andhra Pradesh, says that a Central University has already been running in the State of Andhra Pradesh without the necessary infrastructure, no permanent staff and a dearth of students.
Pradeep Tamta, INC, Uttarakhand, questions the character of the tribal university that the Bill proposes to establish. He asks what the Bill has done to ensure that the university gives opportunities for the tribal community. Mr. Tamta also sheds light on the ST/SC posts lying vacant in the different universities in the country.
E.T. Mohammaed Basheer, IUML, Ponnani (Kerala), says that the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), launched by the government to provide connectivity to unconnected habitations, has not yet been put in the public domain. It was not suitable for a State like Kerala, Mr. Basheer says, adding that the scheme must be discussed with all States before decisions are made.
K.K. Ragesh, CPI (M) Kerala, proposes that the tribal university in Andhra Pradesh should be renamed the Rohith Vermula University.
Vemula, a Dalit research scholar of University of Hyderabad committed suicide on January 17, 2016. His death triggered nationwide protests demanding social justice for Dalit and other marginalised students.
Mr. Ragesh says that no university in the country has a world class rank and no efforts have been taken to ensure the increase in the quality of education. He says that 8,000 posts are lying vacant and 40% of the faculty have been appointed temporarily. Mr. Ragesh says that the Budget allocation for higher education has been drastically reduced this year.
As the discussion on the Central University (Amendment) Bill, 2019, continues, Javed Ali Khan, SP, says that the Bill has not stated whether it has acquired the land to build the two universities in Andhra Pradesh.
At 6. p.m., the Chair says that the discussion of the Bill has been extended by an hour, as was the consensus at the beginning of the discussion.
Protest ensues.
Derek O'Brien, AITC, West Bengal, objects. He says that this is the ninth Bill being passed without scrutiny and the consensus of the House must be taken.
Chair says that the consensus of the House had already been taken during the beginning of the discussion.
V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs, says that the Chair had come to a census that the Bill be discussed and it is wrong to attribute the Chair.
Mr. O'Brien says that the sense of the House was not taken. He says that even though the BJP has a majority in both Houses, the Opposition will not concede.
Chair says that only a few speakers are left and the current Bill can be finialised.
Discussion continues.
Hasnain Masoodi, JKNC, Anantnag (J&K) says that the allocation in the current Budget for the welfare of farmers is the second most disappointing feature, the first being the price of petrol and diesel. This increase is also going to have a devastating impact on the farmers, he says.
Mr. Masoodi says that while the manifesto of the ruling party promised that most benefits will be given to farmers, very little has been done for them. Moreover, very little has done to protect farmers from money-lenders and banks, he says.
The Central University (Amendment) Bill, 2019 provides for the establishment of two Central Universities in Andhra Pradesh: the Central University of Andhra Pradesh and the Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh. The Central Tribal University will provide higher educational and research facilities in tribal art, culture, and customs and cater primarily to the tribal population of India. The same Bill was passed in Lok Sabha on July 12, 2019.
P. Bhattacharya, INC, West Bengal, questions the Bill providing such universities only for a certain State. Tribal populations are present in other States including Jharkhand and West Bengal, he says.
As the discussion on the demands for grants under the control of the Ministries of Rural development and Agriculture and Farmers Welfare continues, Amol Ramsingh Kolhe, NCP (Shirur, Maharashtra), says the Minimum Support Price should be calculated locally and not State-wise.
He says that the current government promised a complete loan waiver in their manifesto. But while a ruling party Minister in the Centre states that the loan waiver is of no use, the Maharashtra Chief Minister says that loan waiver is necessary and will be implemented, Mr. Kohle says. He questions this double standard and says that the government is playing with the lives of the farmers.
Mr. Puri says that the UDAN Scheme is an attempt to link non-functional and under-served airports in tier 2 and 3 cities. He says that airlines are making a loss currently because of various reasons that include the 30 to 40% tax imposed on aviation turbine fuel and other such hefty taxes. This will be taken up by the GST Council, Mr. Puri says.
MPs respond to Mr. Puri's speech. A MP says that the claim of the employment of Jet Airways employees is false and they remain unemployed.
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2019 is taken into consideration. A vote is undertaken. A clause-by-clause vote on the adoption of the Bill is undertaken.
Motion moves that the Bill be passed. The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2019 is passed.
The motion to consider and pass the Central University (Amendment) Bill, 2019 is moved. Discussions begin.
The government cannot take on responsibility of the failure of a private party, Mr. Puri says. But, the government has spoken to other private airlines in the country to take on the staff of Jet Airways and many have already been employed, he says.
The floor is given to Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State (IC) Civil Aviation to respond to the questions and the queries posed about the Bill. He says that the Maharaja of India (symbol of Air India) was once the pride of India. But, at the end of the financial year 2018-19, provisional figures of Air India indicates major losses, he says. It is because the airline has come to incur an unsustainable debt burden, Mr. Puri says. The previous government is to blame for the current state of the airline and the current government is not equipped to run such an entity, he says.
Tiruchi Siva asks why private players should be encouraged to take over existing airports.
Former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu calls UDAN a landmark scheme that makes people fly. He says good airports are needed for better aviation industry.
We have as much as 130 airports. They are under several people, Central government, State government, Army, and even private players. This makes regulation important. Public interest can be enhanced through PPP.
B.K. Hariprasad says that when the entire aviation industry is bleeding, the government needs to participate more.
AIADMK's Gokulakrishnan says his party supports the Bill. The MP representing Puducherry seeks to increase air connectivity to his region.
Ahamed Hassan (Trinamool) points out this is the seventh Bill being passed without Parliamentary Committee's scrutiny. He accuses the government of being interested in privatisation instead of satisfying the customers.
Surendra Singh Nagar (Samajwadi Party) says in the name of creating airports lands are being grabbed from farmers.
Save Air India, says Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD). The Bill is not in national interest. This Bill has been brought with the sole idea to help private players. This is crony capitalism, he says.
Rajya Sabha is discussing The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2019 seeks to amend the definition of 'major airport' to those which have annual passengers throughput in excess of three and a half million.
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) will not determine the tariff, tariff structures, or the development fees, in cases where these amounts were a part of the bid document on the basis of which the airport operations were awarded.
Vivek Tankha (Congress) says while other countries are trying to strengthen the regulators, this government is curtailing them. He fears aviation would be a costly affair now since most small airports are managed by private players and this Bill will reduce the number of 'major airport' to 13.
Lok Sabha reassembles. Demands for grants under the control of the Ministries of Rural development and Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is taken up.
Bhartruhari Mahtab is in the Chair.
Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad says that the examination held on July 14 for the postman's post is cancelled. The examination will be held in all local languages. He says the government respects all languages, including Tamil.
T.K. Rangarajan says exams for all departments must be held in local languages. Tamil Nadu MPs thank the Minister.
Ram Gopal Yadav says Bhojpuri should be made an official language.
The House takes up the The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2019
N.K. Premachandran says Mr. Gadkari is an exemplary performer.
The Minister says that the Ministry is involved in road works worth ₹7,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister appeals the House to pass the demand. He assures the members that he will look into their requests. Cut motions are withdrawn.
The demand for grant goes to vote. and is passed by voice vote.
House is adjourned till 2.10 pm.
Nitin Gadkari quotes John F. Kennedy: "American roads are not good because America is rich. America is rich because of American roads."
Speaker says he will allow clarifications.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says that Mr. Gadkari is an innovative and informative person. Mr. Chowdhury says that lithium and cobalt, needed for lithium ion batteries, are mined in Chile, where all the mines have been bought by China. He asks how the government is going to acquire these raw materials. He also wants to know what the ceiling/target is for private investment.
Dayanidhi Maran says Tamil Nadu is being ignored, and Chennai is congested.
More people are killed in road accidents than due to terror attacks or natural calamity, Mr. Gadkari says and most of these accidents could be avoided if road safety is maintained.
He says the government is mulling to bring standards for tyres. He also says crash guards were constructed in hilly areas of Uttarakhand were removed by the people there to make way for roadside shops!
The government has pushed for BS VI and Euro VI norms by April 2020. The pollution of Delhi came down by 32 per cent, thanks to these standards, he says. Diesel buses are being converted to bio-CNG fuel. Waste-to-energy fuel can be used for transport as well, he adds.
TVS has launched a bio-ethanol bike.
India has become a manufacturing hub for automobile sector, he says. In the next five years, India will become the first in the world for automobile manufacturing. And or electric vehicles too, India will be on top, says the Minister, citing the PM's plan to provide subsidies for the manufacture of lithium ion batteries.
We lack 25 lakh drivers in this country. New driving centres should be started especially in economically backward regions. He asks MPs to take this up. He asks them to use their MPLAD funds to do development activities in their constituencies.
Nitin Gadkari says the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill will ensure licence are not duplicated and the culprits are tracked. In a lighter sense, Mr. Gadkari says the technology has improved so much that today when someone attempts to drink and drive, the vehicle wouldn't start.
Mr. Gadkari pitches for the Bill, when Farooq Abdullah says "why don't you bring the Bill? You couldn't bring it in the last two years?"
House reconvenes and is adjourned till 2 p.m.
Papers are laid on the table.
Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari responds to the discussion on the demand for grants for road infrastructure.
He says that there is no dearth of funds. He says that Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have received the most funds in the Budget.
He also says that toll will never go away.
As the House reconvenes, Members are again on their feet and in the Well. Loud sloganeering can be heard.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh asks Members to go back to their seats, but to no avail. The House is adjourned for 15 minutes.
Next set of questions pertain to storage facilities of food grain. MoS Agriculture Purushottam Rupala is answering. He says dry storage and cold storage are being supported by the Ministry. Food Supplies Ministry takes care of storage, he adds.
A detailed discussion on the ministry will be taken up later in the day, so please ask brief questions, Speaker Om Birla says.
The next question is on soil testing of farms. Janardan Singh Sigriwal (BJP) asks what soil testing is being done for those areas where chemical fertilizers are used. He wants to know if local governments are given awareness materials and information as to reduce the use of chemicals. The Minister says that soil health card has been created by the government, and it will be taken to the village-level. He says that there will be mobile soil testing labs.
Geeta Koda (Congress) says women Sarpanchs in Jharkhand are facing problems, many are being jailed, they are not being listened to by executives and officers. She asks if these sarpanchs are being protected. The Minister says are law-fearing sarpanch will be protected. He says the money is directly being sent to the coffin to ensure transparency.
A. Raja (DMK) says some states are not conducting local body elections. There is collection, commission and corruption, he says. His target is Tamil Nadu. The Minister says the State must conduct local body polls. We have taken it up with the State as well. We don't release money to panchayats where there are no sarpanch.
Kirit Solanki asks if similar health cards are also being done for livestock. Mr. Rupala says the government will take this into consideration.
Pinaki Mishra (BJD) asks if 50% reservation in Panchayats for women is being followed across the country? He also reminds the House about the women's reservation Bill.
The Minister says about 40% Sarpanch across the country are women. Twenty big States have implemented this reservation, he says.
Question Hour proceedings continue in Lok Sabha. Questions are being asked to Panchayat Raj Ministry. Can Panchayats have websites on their own, a member asks. Minister Narendra Singh Tomar answers in affirmative. There is portal for the ministry. The panchayats can use them too, he adds.
In Rajya Sabha, the Chair informs the House that SP member Neeraj Shekar has resigned and his resignation has been accepted.
As the House proceeds with Zero Hour, AIADMK MPs raise slogans to allow postal examinations to be conducted in Tamil as well. The Chair asks them to stop sloganeering. They refuse. More MPs join them. The Chair asks the House to stop the video transmission. House is adjourned till 12 noon.
Lok Sabha takes up Question Hour. Hibi Eden (Congress) asks if the government plans to build houses for fishermen. Mr. Eden uses the opportunity to highlight the problems faced by the community.
Agriculture Minister Giriraj Singh says Rs. 1.20 lakh is given for the community to build houses.
N.K. Premachandran says Kerala is giving a special package of Rs. 10 lakh. Will the Union government aid the State?
Rajya Sabha Chairperson M. Venkaiah Naidu congratulates Dutee Chand, Elavenil, Neena Chandel, Angadveer Singh Bajwa and other sportspersons who won medals.
Today's agenda
Lok Sabha
The lower House will continue its discussion on demands for grants under the control of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for 2019-20. Following which, the demands for grants under the control of the Ministries of Rural development and Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will be taken up.
Rajya Sabha
Two Bills are likely to be introduced up in the upper House.
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2019
The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2019
The House will also discuss the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill, 2019.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other party MPs take part in the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting.
The BJP Parliamentary Party held its meeting at the parliament premises on Tuesday to discuss the strategy. The Budget session is likely to end on July 26.
