The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018, otherwise known as the Triple Talaq Bill, was set to come up in the Rajya Sabha today, but the House was adjourned as soon as it convened after All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) MPs trooped into the well protesting against the Cauvery-Mekedatu dam issue.
Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 p.m. Later after the commencement of the session it was further dismissed for 15-minute before adjourning for the day.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad is scheduled to table the triple talaq bill in the Upper House this afternoon, where it is expected to face stiff resistance from Congress and AIADMK.
The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday , with 245 voting in favour and 11 opposing it, after a heated debate. The opposition Congress and AIADMK had staged a walkout before the voting.
On the schedule for Monday:
Bills for consideration and passing in Lok Sabha: | Bills for consideration and passing in Rajya Sabha: |
The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2018 | The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018 |
The National Medical Commission Bill, 2017 | The National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill, 2018 |
The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill, 2018 | The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2018 |
- | The Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2018 |
Lok Sabha
5:20 p.m.
After much debate on whether January 1 should be declared holiday or not, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan takes the decision and the House is adjourned till January 2.
5:00 p.m.
Jagat Prakash Nadda explains the amendment bill says, "whenever I have come out to speak about the bill opposition would speak about MCI. But even the Parliamentary committee has noted that the MCI is incapable of improving the medical education. Governors of pioneer institutes should look after the education, is what we propose. "
4:45 p.m.
The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill is being discussed.
Kollam MP N.K. Premchandran opposes the bill says: "The bill needs to strengthen the medical facilities and improve health care, medical science and technology. Why the government has an agenda behind pushing the bill. This amendment is quite unnecessary."
Jagat Prakash Nadda explains the amendment bill says, "whenever I have come out to speak about the bill opposition would speak about MCI. But even the Parliamentary committee has noted that the MCI is incapable of improving the medical education. Governors of pioneer institutes should look after the education, is what we propose."
4:35 p.m.
Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2018-19 is passed in Lok Sabha.
Uproar continues in the House.
Mr. Kharge challenges the BJP government to discuss the Rafale deal. Loud uproar proceeds requesting and opposing Holiday for January 1.
4.30 p.m.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley replies to the questions.
"Let's start from the village, Modi government has enabled connecting villages by building roads. We have ensured that there isn't any villages left where there is no electricity. Through 'Ayushman Bharat' lakhs of people have availed free healthcare in villages, I would like Mr. Chautala to take a note. Mr. Modi has also helped the poor provoding them with cooking gas in cheaper rates," as the FM speaks, in the background slogans continue.
Mr. Jaitley targets the UPA government says "the NPAs registered (2.5 lakh) in the book was false, in the review calculation in 2015 the actual rate is unbelievably higher."
The slogans raised in the House grow louder, FM takes a jibe says "Mr. Kharge let's not shout, debate is necessary."
4:20 p.m.
"I would like to ask about what the government is planning to develope the Health sector. The government hospitals don't have basic infrastructure to treat the patients. Mr. Chautala also speaks about the water crisis in the State and reviving old-age pension scheme.
"Farmer's issue is serious and I would like to request the FM to pay attention to it. And higher education has been always spoken about improving, but what needs attention at the moment is primary school education. Teachers aren't also paid enough. Also, investing on sports people is important, we are investing on players on top but aren't concentrating on ground level to groom the up-coming players," says Dushyant Chautala INLD, Hisar Haryana.
4:00 p.m.
Renuka Butta, YSRCP, AP, says : "Farming, weaving and business sectors are important and need attention. Farmers need loans and support that would help stop the suicide rates in Andhra and across the country. The Handloom is another sector, which by the way has been affected by GST, the tax rates are complicated for the people working on the sectors to understand."
3:45 p.m.
Anurag Singh Thakur, BJP speaks on behalf of the government, says the NPAs are result of the poor management by the UPA government. Also blames the Congress government for the fugitive law. Says, "I would like to ask the FM why the previous government did not reveal the correct NPA figures. Who were they (UPA government) trying to help?"
Mr. Thakur takes a dig at Saugata Roy says "the Ministers of his party have been found guilty under chit fund scam." Mr. Roy however is absent from the House.
"BJP government has improvement healthcare, sanitation, and through Ayushman Bharat many people will be benefited, and I would request the FM to speak about the figures that clearly reveals the prgress this government has brought in to the country," Mr. Thakur further adds.
"Digital India has helped connecting 50% of the villages, besides FDI has grown. Was the RBI keeping more money with themselves? Isn't it the per cent of money the RBI keeps in a developing economy was more. The surplus amount can be used rather in the development of the country."
Takes a dig at Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi says "who are these Italians who are mentioned in the AgustaWestland case."
3:40 p.m.
"We have requested the Education Minister to allocate Nabadaya Vidyalaya in the new districts in Telangana States that will help the Higher education,"
Vinod Kumar of TRS speaks very elequoently. He continues, "Many speakers spoke about the distress of the farming community, we have a couple of schemes that will certainly help the distressed community."
3:30 p.m.
"60,000 farmers have committed suicide since the government has taken over. I oppose the grants because the everything that the government stated in the election manifestation nothing has been reached. Look at the state in which farmers of this Country is. In the uttar Pradesh alone farmers are in miserable state. Besides teh fuel price, failure of demonetosation and unemployment few of the many issues that the government has failed to address," Dharmendra Yadav, SP, Uttar Pradesh says.
3:20 p.m.
I strongly oppose the supplementary demands for grants, says PK BIju, CPI(M) Alathur Kerala.
"More than 60% of the people are depended on agricultural sector. Farming community has been stagging dharma and marching on streets to gain the attention of the government, who are clearly ignoring the sector.
Besides, what is the status of the employment in the country? I request to the government to increase the job opportunity. Economy seems to be completely relying on Corporates, which also not necessarily increasing opportunity for the youths and the poor."
3:10 p.m.
Madhukrao Y. Kukade of NCP from Maharashtra addresses the issue of farmers and lack of funds issued by the government, says the current governemnt has been "ignoring the agriculture sector completely."
Farmers are constantly dying. MGNREGA is actually very beneficial, contrary to the government's opinion. Through the scheme the farmers are getting work and mamy other benefits. If you stop the scheme, it will further damage the already collapsing agricultural sector.
"I also don't understand government's intention to imporve employment here. There have been exams conducted for Railways and yet even after three years the ones who qualified the exams are still waiting for a job offer," Mr. Kukade says.
2:55 p.m.
Saugata Roy of AITC, west Bengal speaks on supplementary demands
"Modi (ji) spoke about "Congress mukht Bharat" however because of their policies they are heading towards BJP mukht Bharat. How many people have lost their jobs due to demonetisation? Govt is yet to answer. The economy is in difficulty. The agriculture sector is the worst affected and government is yet to do something about this. Construction still remains costly because of high DST rate. I propose an independent fiscal counting to calculate the actual GDP defecit. It's the failure of the Finance Ministry to revive banking sector. Total NPA in 2014 2, 51, 000 cr. more and in 2018 it has gone more than 9, 62, 000 cr."
Mr. Jaitley interrupts, says the RBI did asset quality review which revealed that in 2014 the NPA was actually at 8 lakh crores.
"Another failure of the government is it's inability to find a buyer for AI India," Mr. Roy continues. Uproar in the House grows louder as Mr. Roy takes a dig at Mr. Modi.
2:40 p.m.
Odisha is the only state to double the farmer's income. State Finance Minsiter Sashibhusan Behera asks the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to help with funds for farmers to meet the target. "We are not in infavour of loan waiver scheme per say, but it is important to support the farmers and poor. Why can't the Union government support the State government and help the needy. Give us financial autonomy and we will be one of the most prosperous states of South Asia."
2:30 p.m.
Lok Sabha discusses voting on The supplementary demands for grants for 2018-19
"Through Ujjawala scheme people belonging to SC, ST and other backward classes can avail LPG, which was not affordable before. Most numbers of proects has been done in Ministry of Road TRansport and Highways and these projects have benefited even the State government.
Thanks to this government people now know the names of the States in Northeast," says BJP leader Nishikant Dubey.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till January 2 amidst opposition's insistence to refer Triple Talaq legislation to Select Committee. Government refuses the demand.
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin.
Ghulam Nabi Azad speaks, requests for the motion to be passed. "90 per cent of the Opposition leaders want the Parliament to fuction. It's an important Bill and needs to be dicussed. But according to procedure standing committee should have been sent first. Centre should have dorwarded it to the committee," he says.
Vijay Goel responds to the Opposition says, an important Bill which will empower Muslim women is being politicised.
Amid loud slogans "we want justice" and shouting, the Speaker adjourns the House for 15-minute.
House breaks for lunch, adjourned to meet again at 2 p.m.
Matters of Urgent Public Importance
BJP MP Ravindra Kumar Pandey brings up instances of jobs not being provided under the MNGREGA in Jharkhand.
BJD MP Brahtuhari Mahtab speaks about those UPSC candidates not from an English background being affected by the introduction of CSAT in the civil service examinations. "This has brought down the number of deserving candidates from other language backgrounds," he says. "Government should give them additional attempts at the exam."
Sandya Roy pitches for digitalisation of post offices in South Mednipur and other villages in West Bengal.
AITC MP Dr. Sanghamitra Mamtaz has to make herself heard over the sloganeers, asks for the establishment of new power plants in her constituency.
BJP MP Anurag Singh brings up the plight of Himachal Pradesh farmers. "They should be given a chance to farm their own land under MGNREGA."
Matters of Urgent Public Importance
Papers are laid on the table, and 'Matters of Public Importance' are taken up.
"Imperative that steps be taken to ensure killing of civilians is stopped," says MP Muzaffar Hussein Beig.
AIADMK members begin sloganeering in protest of the Mekedatu Dam, while Leader of Congress in the LS, Mallikarjun Kharge brings up the Rafale Issue, under 'Matters of Public Importance', requests for the Joint Parliamentary Committee to look into this.
"Kharge- ji and my Congress friends need to know that repeating one thing does not make it fact," says Home Minister Rajnath Singh in reply.
The sloganeering continues, shouts of "Chowkidar chor hai" are heard in the House.
TDP MP M. Srinivasa Rao brings up the decade-old demand of a new railway zone with headquarters as Visakhapatnam. Adds that the city has a national advantage as it has two ports. "HQ of South-Central railway is in Secunderabad in Telangana after the bifurcation," he says.
BJP MP Riti Pathak asks Railway Minister Piyush Goyal for the Intercity Express to stop at Jabalpur's two railway stations.
Question Hour ends, Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon
Question Hour in Lok Sabha
Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar fields questions about the Government's proposal to include domestic work as scheduled employment under the Minimum Wages Act.
Mr. Gangwar says domestic workers have minimum wage requirements in many States and that there is a draft national policy in the works that addresses their concerns.
"We are in the process of changing 40 labour laws in four different courts," says Mr. Gangwar.
Question Hour in Lok Sabha
HRD Minister Prakash Javedekar has been asked details of the number of Universities -- including Private Universities and deemed universities -- in the country, and their rankings of on the basis of their performance.
He is also asked if yoga will be made compulsory in all schools and colleges. "There is already a PT period, during which yoga is also taught," he says in reply.
Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar is asked whether the Government/Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has decided to allow non-insured persons to avail medical services from ESIC hospitals.
He is also asked about shortage of staff. "This is issue being addressed. Positions are already being filled up," he says.
"What is the government doing to increase exports," asks one member.
"Foreign trade is important for any country. Out merchandising exports currenty amounts to Rs. 303 billion. PM Modi launched 'Make in India' to augment our exports. Our exports have grown by 17%, so our exports are growing," says Commerce Minister C.R. Chaudhary
He also points to how the country has come up in the Ease of Business rankings.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 p.m.
Six AIADMK MPs stall the house by walking into the well of the house, shouting slogans of, "We want justice", regarding the Cauvery issue.
Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh Singh pleads for them to let the House function, but to no avail.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 p.m.
Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad: Please do note that AIADMK alone is protesting. This should not be blamed on us. This is entirely between AIADMK and the government.
C.R. Choudhary, Commerce Minister and MoS, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution answers questions about import of explosives, weapons, defence equipment and nuclear waste and their disposal.
The Opposition begins chanting, "We want JPC", in the background.
Rajya Sabha mourns filmmaker Mrinal Sen
The Parliament reconvenes. Both Houses begin the day with obituary notices.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan reads out the obituary of two former MPs - Telugu Desam Party leader V.V.S Murthy and former Union Minister Capt. Jai Narain Prashad Nishad.
Rajya Sabha mourns the passing of veteran filmmaker Mrinal Sen.
Lok Sabha proceeds into Question Hour, while Ministers lay papers on the table in Rajya Sabha.
Here is a look at party positions in the Rajya Sabha, ahead of the vote on the triple talaq Bill
All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal told reporters in Kochi on Saturday that the party would join hands with others to prevent the Bill from getting passed in the House.
He said 10 opposition parties had openly come out against the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018 when it was introduced in the Lok Sabha.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had, on the previous day, claimed the Bill will find support in the Rajya Sabha, where the BJP-led NDA lacks numbers.
(With inputs from PTI)