Both the Houses will continue with the Motion of Thanks on the President's address for the second consecutive day.
In the Rajya Sabha, the proceedings began with Chairman Venkaiah Naidu appreciating the "disruption-free proceedings" taking place in the House after a long gap. Members from both sides took part in the Motion of Thanks, while the Question Hour saw a variety of topics being taken up, including, number of women judges in the country; the status of Marathi as a classical language; and the MediaOne issue.
Here are the latest updates:
Lok Sabha adjourned for the day.
Lok Sabha adjourned for the day. The House will reconvene at 4 p.m. on February 4, 2022
Matters of Urgent Public Importance in progress
Suresh Kodikunnil, Congress MP, asks the Centre to protect minority rights. He cited the recent attacks on churches during last year's Christmas.
BSP MP Kunwar Danish Ali said that the government talks about Beti Bachao Beti padhao but Hijab wearing women students are being stopped from attending class because of their religious orientation. He asks the Centre to intervene and protect minority rights.
Congress MP says PM Modi has failed to secure national border
Congress MP from Telangana Uttam Kumar Nalamada said that Modi government has failed in securing the national border. He added that China is constructing permanent structures on Pangong Tso lake and in Arunachal Pradesh. The Chinese army has not moved back from the Indo-tibetan border. He termed the Modi government a total failure.
He further said, "There was an announcement of Garib Kalyan Yojana in Telangana, the ration rice being supplied is not edible for consumption. The Central government must look at it."
BSP questions PM Modi's silence over attack on minorities
BSP leader Kunwar Danish Ali questions PM Modi's silence over Sulli deals, Bulli Bai and the Haridwar Dharma Sansad. "The Prime Minister tweets on everything but has remained silent on important matters concerning minorities."
"This government is only focused on how to make the rich richer and throw the poor into more poverty," he added.
AIMIM accuses MVA of destroying Indian culture
Before starting his speech, AIMIM MP Syed Imtiaz Jaleel informs the House that Asaduddin Owaisi's vehicle was fired upon in Uttar Pradesh today evening. He demanded strict actions be taken against the perpetrators.
Talking about unemployment in the country, he said the government has failed miserably in providing employment even in the face of increased unemployment due to the pandemic.
Attacking the Maha Vikas Aghadi govt., he said, "Small shops are going to sell wine in MVA ruled Maharashtra which is a ploy to destroy our culture. They are saying wine doesn't have alcohol. They are giving wine in the hands of children, tomorrow that wine bottle will be replaced with beer bottles"
N.K. Premchandran on Motion of Thanks on the President's address
RSP leader N.K. Premchandran, while agreeing with Rahul Gandhi's statement about democracy and kingdom, said, "Anybody opposing the govt. is being labelled anti-national and disloyal."
Quoting Mark Twain, he said loyalty should be to the country. "In a democracy, we should criticise our government for the welfare of the country. But in this government, noone can criticise the government without being labelled anti-national." Talking about the Mediaone case, he said, "civil rights and liberty are being taken away under the garb of National security."
He cautioned the government that the constitutional guarantee of federalism and pluralism should be preserved or risk the country turning into a kingdom.
DMK leader says Tamil Nadu rejects NEP
DMK leader Dr. DNV Senthilkumar S., while talking about judiciary, said the judges today are quoting Hindi movies in their judgements. "Should the law students stop going to libraries and watch movies and OTTs instead?," he asked.
Regarding the National Education Policy, he said, "according to this policy, gross enrolment ration has to be 50% which TN has achieved long ago. If they want to implement this policy, they should implement the Dravidian model for the development of the country. Why is their policy being thrust upon us? We reject it. If they want to implement it, they should do it in their gau-mutra States."
Prataprao Jadhav says BJP has learnt about Hinduism from Shiv Sena
Shiv Sena MP Prataprao Jadhav questions various government scheme and asks how many poor people have actually benefited from these schemes. On the issue of Ram Mandir, he says the credit for the construction of Ram mandir should go to the Supreme Court and not the government. "When Babri Masjid was demolished parties like VHP, BJP said they had no hand in it. It was the only true Hindu Balasaheb Thackrey who proudly said the Sainiks have demolished the Babri Masjid."
He further asked, "How many Kashmiri Pandits have been rehabilitated under this government?"
Prof. Saugata Ray says, "I went to India Gate. Netaji's hologram has vanished with the wind, along with BJP's love for Netaji."
JKNC leader questions President's silence on J&K's issue in his address
Hasnain Masoodi, JKNC leader says, "President's address failed to mention when will democracy be restored in J&K even after four and a half years. J&K has been denied to choose it's government democratically but the President didn't mention any of it."
Talking about the rule of law, he said, "When someone talks about Pegasus, the ruling government says the matter is sub-judice. By what rule of law the government disabled J&K's constitution? Through delimitation, the employment opportunities have been snatched. The govt. aims to make a demographic change in J&K."
He further said, "India is a Union of State, who gave you the power to divide a State into fragments and compromise its territorial integrity. Custom duty fruits are being imported in J&K to kill the fruit industry of J&K. The government has attacked our identity with an aim to introduce demographic change only."
Adv. A.M. Ariff, CPI(M) MP said, "This govt. was deliberately misleading the House that it has nothing to do with Pegasus. Not even once, the President praised the courage of the farmers who endured an year long protest succesfully."
Mahua Moitra corners govt. in her speech
The AITC leader Mahua Moitra starts with asking what is the idea of India? "This govt. wants to alter history. The honourable President speaks about freedom fighters but it's just lip service. Would Netaji have endorsed the Haridwar Dharma Sansad?"
She further says, "The govt wants to get inside our head, inside our homes. They want to tell us what to eat."
She goes on to quote a part of poet Sahir Ludhiyanvi's poem 'Wo subehe kabhi toh aayegi'.
Talking on the Pegasus row, she asks how does the government justify the Data protection Bill? She also brought up the arrest of Siddique Kappan and Munawwar Faruqui.
DMK, Congress members from Tamil Nadu walk out of Lok Sabha over NEET Bill
The members of the DMK and the Congress walked out of the Lok Sabha on Thursday demanding a recall of Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, taking exception to his decision to return the NEET Exemption Bill.
DMK leader Thalikkottai R. Baalu speaking on the anti-NEET Bill informed the House that the Governor of TN has sent back the Bill back to the TN Assembly Speaker, instead of sending it to the President for assent.
The members of the DMK and the Congress trooped into the Well raising slogans against the Tamil Nadu governor.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the role of constitutional authorities such as a governor should not be discussed in the House.
(with inputs from PTI)
TRS leader voices his concerns
Nama Nageswara Rao said, "Paddy procurement should have a national policy. We are facing a lot of problems in paddy procurement by the Centre. The government should make a national policy for paddy procurement."
Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Motion of Thanks on the President's address
The JD(U) leader from Bihar demands special statehood for Bihar. Citing the recent reports of the NITI Aayog, he said the PM's vision for India becoming a global leader cannot be achieved without the backward States being developed first. India will be transformed only when industries will increase in the State if it is given special Statehood, as it will increase employment in the State and will lead to overall development of the State.
Question hour ends
Question on Water supply connection to every household
BJP leader from Bihar Rajiv Pratap Rudy asks why the Bihar government has not withdrawn Rs. 6600 crore money from the Jal Jeevan Mission sanctioned for the State.
Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat says, "As long as the State governments do not ask for the funds, the Centre can't do anything."
Hardeep Singh Puri on Crude Oil Price
Amid protests by the Opposition, Hardeep Singh Puri, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, replied, "Between 1979-86, prices rose by 126%, 2000-2007 prices went up 60%, last seven years prices have gone up by only 30%."
He further added, "Prices are determined by international price. During the lockdown, prices went down, but when economic activity picked up, the prices also rose."
Talking about the international production cost, he said, "The amount of crude available in the market is less than the demand thus the price is high. Crude oil price is decided by exchange rate, freight rate and dealer price. Government reduced the prices by Rs. 5 and 10 recently."
Dayanidhi Maran, DMK leader asked, whether the government has decreased the fuel prices with the U.P. election in mind.
Mr. Puri replied that the State governments should reduce vats to reduce the fuel prices. "We are increasing ethanol blending. Petrol and diesel prices were deregulated by the Congress government. They floated oil bonds, which have resulted in huge repayments we made last year."
Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day
Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day. The House will reconvene at 10.00 a.m. on February 4, 2022
Special Mentions tabled
Members table Special Mentions in the House
Kamakhya Prasad Tasa (BJP) says that Prime Minister showed immense courage working even during the time of COVID-19.
Mr. Tasa referencing previous statements made in House says that Ayushman Bharat is ultimately the responsibility of the States also.
He brings up the recently launched rail line of Manipur , and speaks on the improved security status of States in the North East region of the country.
You (to Congress) are responsible for extremism in North East. Earlier people from Assam could not visit Manipur or Nagaland, PM Modi has gone there so many times. Did BJP create extremists?
The population of North east is not much, 5-6 crore, we were treated as outsiders, people used to ask us, you live in jungles/caves? Now look at the development there. In Assam, minority areas don’t vote for us, but development has reached those panchayats also. Have we cancelled the ration card of any minority? No.
Speaking to Mallikarjin Kharge - Why are you always so angry, I would faint if I am next to him. Kharge ji what would you have done if you were the PM during CoVID, it is a different thing that you will never become the PM. - Vijaita Singh
"No poor person is upset because of demonetisation, only those who had black money were troubled by it," Mr. Tasa says.
It never affected us, because BJP never had black money. I meet people, they say they are happy with notebandi. Few days ago an Arunachali youth was returned by China, if this is not vishwaguru then what is? He was returned, earlier they could not be found. Manipur is peaceful now. Manmohan Singh was an MP from Guwahati, ask him how many times he visited Guwahati. A Prime Minister from Gujarat has visited Manipur, Nagaland.
"Something or the other used to happen in Manipur, our government has brought peace," he says.
Members alleged that we have not done anything for Scheduled caste students, we are providing stipend to 5,32,000 SC stduents, Mr. Tasa informs the House.
'PM Is an expert in naatak and nautanki'
Digvijaya Singh (INC) says After Suit boot sarkaar came, the direct tax decreased from 55.39 % to 46.43 %, Indirect tax increased from 44.61 % to 53.57% , this means you are taxing the rich less and taxing the poor more. - Vijaita Singh
In this Budget Modi Government has reduced subsidy by 27%, why don't you increase taxation on the super-rich?, says Mr. Singh. This government has been against the poor and the farmers of this country. This government is anti poor and anti farmer. The first ordinance they brought was Land Acquisition Act. "They ignore the strength and unity of farmers," he adds.
Dharm sansad was held at Haridwar, calls were given for genocide. PM tweets if someone hurts their thumb, but he did not say anything about this hate speech. He belongs to the same family who want to divide and rule the country.- Vijaita Singh
During Amrit Mahotsav, you have never mentioned those who took part in the freedom struggle. You may not like Congress, but you could have mentioned Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, he says.
When Article 370 was included in the Constitution, Shyama Prasad Mookerjee was part of the Cabinet, you mislead that he opposed it. In Bhima Koregaon case, it was said that a conspiracy to kill PM Modi, but it has been more than three years and no chargesheet has been filed. PM Is an expert in naatak and nautanki.
K. Keshava Rao (TRS) quoting a media report says there is an increase in hate speech, adding that there is an urgent need to bring a special law to deal with the same.
The South States are being ignored, he says. "The distribution of funds to States by BJP-led government fails to provide any incentive,: says Mr. Rao.
"Where all the States in the country got an institution got an institution, Telangana drew a blank," he says.
Unemployment rate was high even before COVID, Mr. Rao says while commenting on the Budget.
India is a Union of States, you have been polarising people, at the end there will be deep division in the minds of people. we have been voting for you, today we have decided we shall not be with you, not anymore.
Our chief minister has suggested for change of constitution, because under you the basic structure of constitution, secularism is under threat.
Leader of Opposition Mallikarjin Kharge interjects - if you want to change the constitution, we will be the first one to oppose it, you can suggest amendments.
Keshava Rao says we have seen 105 amendments to the Constitution.- Vijaita Singh
'Odisha not getting its due'
Sasmit Patra (BJD) says that Naveen Patnaik wrote to the government three times on the issue of PM Awas Yojana portal. "This portal probably opens for those States that the government wants to favour," he says.
Odisha is not getting its due, Mr. Patra says.
R.S. Bharathi (DMK) says that the government did not take any lessons from the first wave of the pandemic. "You have got a majority in Lok Sabha. What is preventing you from passing the resolution?," he says with reference to 33% reservation to women.
Speaking on the issue of NEET exemption, he says, "It is the fight between have and have nots" highlighting how NEET has affected students of the State.
'Who has authorised you to sell the family silver?'
Jawhar Sircar (AITC) says "We have never gone through such a bad patch"
The printed word and flowery language do not mean much to those who go hungry, he adds speaking on unemployment. "The bottom half of India has lost what they had holding only 13% of the National wealth," he says.
14 crore pushed into poverty in last two years whereas 10 crore were lifted out of property in ten years from 2006.
Privatisation has been given much more emphasis than ever before, he says asking "Who has authorised you to sell the family silver?"
25 Aiprorts will be handed over on lease period after extracting whatever it is there. Who has authorised to sell public assets. Six airports were privatised to a friend, procedures were suited to him.
LIC is worth Rs 40 lakh crore, our budget is around 35 lakh crore, it is being sold off to American insurance companies.
Mr. Sircar discusses Education and Health parts of the Budget.
"We will not forget the massive deaths that happened despite all the drumbeating," he says.
Mr. Sircar speaks on VVPAT, and electoral bonds.
"When 2024 election comes, use VVPATs and let two results come- one through EVMs and one through VVPATs, let there be a paper trail," he says.
My last two years spent at Prasar Bharti under this regime were very difficult, I will leave the details for my biography, he adds.
Our civilisation is 5,500 years old, for 5,000 years Indians coalesced and came together, do not try to change that. The officers do not want to serve in the Centre, cant you get the message, they don’t want to work with you, force doesn’t work always, Mr. Sircar says.
The Central Vista is an arrogant display of hubris. They spent Rs 600 crores to redo the Rajpath by putting new lamps. They will shatter National Museum, Vigyan Bhavan, National Archives of India to bring up six buildings.
Pegasus is the greatest example of how this has become a surveillance state, they do not have the guts to come out and say it, Mr. Sircar adds.- Vijaita Singh
'PM Modi did not create a single PSU and he privatised 23 PSUs'
Ripun Bora (INC) says that economy was badly devastated by the pandemic.
Since President’s address is the roadmap, people were expecting ways and measures on how to recover, nothing was mentioned in his address. 84 crore people’s income has come down drastically during pandemic but President’s address did not mention anything about it. Under UPA government, 27 crore people were pulled out of poverty.
Now, five crore more people have been pushed below poverty line. Not a single word on how to tackle price rise. The individual consumption has hugely declined.
There is a saying in our village- when a son wastes all the money and property, and has nothing else to spare, then he blames the father- what did my father do for me?
Rajiv Gandhi created 16 PSUs, no privatisation, Vajpayee created 17 PSUs, Manmohan Singh created 23 PSUS, only three privatisation, PM Modi did not create a single PSU and he privatised 23 PSUs- Vijaita Singh
Mr. Bora brings up the issue of AFSPA, and Mon killings. "Normally military is used against foreign aggression, but our military has killed our own people," he says pointing out that Naga peace talks have not yielded any result.
As per NCRB report, crime against Scheduled caste and Scheduled Tribe people there has seen an increase. "If we cannot protect them, where is the empowerment," he says.
'What kind of house will be made of Rs. 55,000'
Ajit Kumar Bhuyan speaks against the motion to question budgetary allocations, specifically to PM Awas Yojana. "I do not understand what kind of house will be of Rs. 55,000 specially in the hilly areas."
I am afraid nation has to wait 25 more years for the 'achche din' to arrive, he says.
Ram Nath Thakur (JD-U)- Asks the Union government to speak to Nepal to address the problems of flooding in Bihar. Demands special package for Bihar.
Government should help the unemployed youth so that prosperity comes to India.- Vijaita Singh
'Failed to mention attack on mionirites'
Abdul Wahab (IUML) raises to address the House.
He says that Mr. Naqvi failed to mention attack on minority communities in his speech. Mr. Wahab recalls that Muslim women were auctioned online and statues of Jesus Christ damaged.
"There is increasing inequality in our society, in social and economic terms," he says.
He urges government to increase MPLADS funds, opposing the motion.
'Need to get out of hangover of thinking of Indira is India and India is Indira'
Speaking on Motion of Thanks, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi says it is being said there are two Indias.
We need to get out of hangover of thinking of Indira is India and India is Indira and Congress is country and country is Congress, he says.
Mr. Naqvi goes on to speak on how the situation has changed.
Eight years ago, PMO was being run from somewhere else. Today the PM is strong, he adds.
One India is of sanatani thinking and the other of samanti (feudal), Mr. Naqvi says.
Narendra Modi ended the red beacon culture, he says- Damini Nath
After becoming Prime Minister, Narendra Modi made laws that were needed and removed those that were not of use, he adds.
"Week of riots" and "Months of terrorist blasts" have come to an end, Mr. Naqvi says, adding that this is something that people should be proud of.
"There was a time when decisions of Supreme Court were rendered ineffectual," Mr. Naqvi says. To make Supreme Court's decision on Triple Talaq effective we brought forth the law, he adds.
Mr. Naqvi now speaks on Article 370, saying that under the Modi government the law which cut off J&K from the country' s stream of development was removed.
Mr. Naqvi says because of CAA, we brought minorities from Afghanistan after Taliban takeover to India safely- Damini Nath
'Vaccination, a great milestone for the governement'
Birendra Prasad Baishya (AGP) congratulates the government on achieving vaccine milestone. "It is a great success for the government," he says. He recalls how in the first wave, India was in need of resources, however within the last year India has turned into an exporter of medicines.
Mr. Baishya brings up the achievements of the country in Tokyo Olympics.
'Threats have not diminished'
A.D. Singh (RJD) rises to address the House.
He urges the government to inform the House action taken against "those who called for genocide".
"A strong government cannot be seen as bowing down to a handful of fringe elements," he says.
Mr. Singh brings up the 2020 Ladakh Valley clash, saying, "Threats have not diminished." Further, he points out that the post of CDS has been lying vacant since the death of General Bipin Rawat.
Motion of Thanks begins
Discussion on Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address starts. AIADMK MP M. Thambidurai congratulates Modi government on dealing with COVID-19 pandemic. - Damini Nath
He appreaciates the level of Foreign Direct Investments and the success of PM Jan Dhan Yojana. "The collateral free loans given to MSMEs have helped the economy," he says.
Mr. Thambidurai lists out various financial scheme packages given by the government.
He then turns to speak on the "plight of fishermen" from Tamil Nadu. "Recently Sri Lanka government seized boats of our fishermen," he says urging the government to settle the issue.
Mr. Thambidurai raises the issue of NEET exemption.
On MediaOne issue
K.C. Venugopal raises a question on anti-national content on News Channels and MediaOne asking what “crime” the channel has committed.
MoS Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan says MediaOne issue is sub judice responds
"We are in 1975, we are not in Emergency," Mr. Murugan said eliciting strong response from the opposition
Status of Marathi as Classical Language
To a question on Marathi being given the status of Classical language, MoS Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal says a decision on declaring Marathi as a classical language will be taken soon, inter-ministerial dialogue is on. - Damini Nath
'Historical Responsibility of those who have left the environment polluted'
Speaking on India's ranking amongst most-polluted countries, Bhupender Yadav says, "Those who are crowding the carbon space after polluting the environment, why is there historical responsibility not considered. Secondly we comprise 4% of carbon emission despite making up 17% of the world population," he says.
On Environmental Clearances
To a question on Environmental Clearances, Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change responds "The modifications to the Environmental clearance process are necessary to promote Ease of Doing Business."
On number of women judges in the country
Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Law Justice informs the House, out of total 34 judges in the Supreme Court, we have for the first time 4 women judges. Out of 1098 judges in High Courts, we have 83 women judges.
"We have been stressing time and again, that while recommending names preferences may be given to women, backward classes, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe," he says.
On Indian workers in Gulf countries
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, in response to a question about loss of wages of Indians working abroad, says the data of pending salaries not available but he is taking up the matter with Gulf countries. "Would like to assure that retaining employment, ensuring wages are paid, and ensuring welfare is our priority" he says.
Our objective is to get as many workers as possible back to work, he adds.
Question Hour begins
Question Hour commences in the Rajya Sabha.
Privilege notice against IT Minister
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu says he is examining the privilege notice against IT Minister- Damini Nath
'States getting addicted to tax being collected from sale of alcohol'
Vikas Mahatme (BJP) speaks on 'Sin Tax items'. "The tax being collected should be increased. Delhi and Maharashtra have brought in various changes including home delivery of [in Delhi] and sale in malls [in Maharashtra]. State governments are getting addicted to tax collection from this item," he says.
'India's map on WHO website incorrect'
Dr Santanu Sen (Trinamool Congress) during Zero Hour says as a doctor he checks the WHO COVID-19 site for data. The map on the site showed parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as outside India. He says the government should have been vigilant, when they are using Pegaus to spy on their own Ministers.- Damini Nath
Zero Hour
Members currently raising matters pertaining to PM Awas Yojana.
'Disruption-free proceedings after long gap'
"Yesterday Rajya Sabha witnessed disruption-free proceedings after long gap," Chairman Naidu says addressing the members. "I hope this spirit will continue to prevail," he adds
Papers being laid on the Table
Memebrs of the Parliament lay on the Table of the House, Papers and Reports
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu starts the proceedings for the day with obit reference to Jamana Devi Barupal
List of Business in Rajya Sabha (10.00 a.m.)
1. Papers to be laid on the table
3. Question Hour
4. Motion of Thanks on the President's address
List of Business in Lok Sabha (4.00 p.m.)
1. Question Hour
2. Papers to be laid on Table
2. Motion of Thanks on the President's address
Day 3 recap
The day following the Budget presentation saw both the Houses carry out the Motion of Thanks on the President's address.
In the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke on job losses, unemployment, MSME sector and Foreign Policy. Over the day, MPs brought up the Pegasus, Mon District killings, and the Amar Jawan Jyoti.
In the Rajya Sabha, Smriti Irani answered questions regarding marital rape. Mallikarjun Kharge, Tiruchi Siva, Ram Gopal Yadav, and Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya spoke on Motion of Thanks to the President's address.
