Parliament Budget session August 8 highlights: Both houses adjourn for the day

The Rajya Sabha is adjourned for the day, Proceedings will resume at 11 a.m. tomorrow, i.e Friday, August 8, 2024. 

Having concluded the discussion on the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill, 2024, Lok Sabha adjourned for the day. 

Proceedings reconvene on Friday, August 9th at 11 a.m. 

The Domariyaganj MP held that the bill proposes to carve three statutory authorities in addition to the DGCA “for performing regulatory functions and overseeing safety”. The other two bodies include Bureau of Civil Aviation for overseeing security and the Bureau for investigation of aircraft accidents 

Stressing about Arunachal Pradesh’s strategic significance in light of China being an immediate neighbour (and claiming territories), the BJP MP sought the government consider building an advance landing ground in Dirang and Anini – as also sought by the state government. 

Mr Gao had earlier stated that there were 11 advance landing grounds in the state which were completely ignored during their regime. “The Modi-led government renovated 7 of these grounds. Further, in 2018, foundation was laid in Itanagar and flight services are operational at present,” he informed. 

BJP MP Sangeeta Yadav requests a uniform curriculum for schools all over the country, while BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroyo speaks about the need for rigourous verification for selection process of civil services candidates. 

AITC MP Md. Nadimul Haque raises the issues of centralisation of recruitment for posts in Eklavya Schools. BJP MP Dr. Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade raises a special mention request to encourage organ donation and incentivize the same. India’s rate of organ donation is 0.65 per million, which needs improvement, he says. 

Motions to consider and return Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation (No.3) Bill, 2024, Appropriation Bill (No. 2), 2024 and the Finance Bill (No.2), 2024 to Lok Sabha are adopted by the Rajya Sabha.

AITC MP Derek O’Brien rises to seek a clarification from the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman about the 18% GST on health insurance premium, noting that 45 crore Indians are being affected by it. He notes that in the GST Council, 1/3rd of the power rests with the Union government, and that though all States have a representative in the GST Council, 2/3rds of those are ruled by NDA governments. He specifies that he is referring to the tax imposed after 2017, accepting that this is not the first instance of such a tax. 

The composition of the GST Council is what I have specified and Mr. O’Brien has repeated the same, Ms. Sitharaman says in her reply. She says that since 2017, except for one instance, decisions have been taken by consensus. 

The MP from Nagina (Uttar Pradesh) further sought that the government consider placing a lower wage ceiling such that they are able to afford airfares. Mr Chandrashekhar asked the treasury to place provisions such that notwithstanding privatisation of airports, people from Scheduled Tribe and Castes are also accorded employment opportunities. He had earlier put forth concerns of people from the scheduled tribe and castes losing out on potential opportunities after privatisation. 

Mr Chandrasekhar further expressed concerns about lack of opportunities and access to resources as a result of privatisation. 

Customs duty increased from 25% from 10% on PVC flex films used to make flex banners, which are non-biodegradable, Nirmala Sitharaman says. She clarifies that there has been no increase in duties on regular plastic items used by common man. 

There is no minimum balance amount requirement for Jandhan accounts or basic savings accounts in banks, so no small account holders are being penalised for it, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, 

Among the first issues raised by Mr Premachandran concerned compliance to the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Chicago Document 1047. The Kollam MP holding that the Civil Aviations requirement seek to establish rules for compliance on the front, held that it did not define norms for responsibility of stakeholders, assessment portfolio and the required level of training, among other things. “The CAR is not in accordance with ICAO,” he stated in his address. 

The Kollam MP further placed his concerns about airlines charging convenience fee from passengers. “Why are airlines placing an additional burden (on passengers) when the save on commission to travel agents (when booked directly),” he sought. 

Among the other issues raised by Mr. Premachandran entailed charging of user development fee from disembarking passengers and the aviation security fee. 

The Kollam MP also urged the government consider a common hand-baggage rule. “There are some airlines, like Air India Express who weigh laptops too when computing the hand baggage allowance. These hidden rules should be done away with,” he said. 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman touches upon the matter of the GST on health insurance. She says that the subject is in the realm of the GST council, and that before GST too, medical insurance premiums were taxed. Before GST, every State levied taxes on the premiums collected on health insurance, she points out. 

The GST Council comprises of the Finance Ministers of the States who have 2/3rd voting powers, with the Centre having 1/3rd power, she says, highlighting that all States are consulted for the GST measures. 

She spoke about reports that Rs. 24,529 crores were collected on medical insurance premium and pocketed by the Centre. We may agree or disagree with the rate of taxation but this (GST Council) is a constitutional body, so this cannot be called daylight robbery, she says, referring to remarks by certain members in the House. 

The member stated that the contents of the bill were in English, whereas the title in Hindi. “Article 348(1)(B) is very clear the authoritative text of the bill shall be in English – that is a mandatory provision, but unfortunately, the government is not complying,” he explained. He noted similar instances in IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act. 

He accused the government of “indirectly” imposing Hindi on non-speaking Hindi states and people from Southern India. 

Mr Premachandra said there is nothing new to oppose in the bill as it is replacing and re-enacting ninety-years old law, Aircraft Act (1994) 

FM Nirmala Sitharaman shares that the current tax proposal for land and building assets acquired by individuals and HUF before July 23, 2024 is that the taxpayer can compute his taxes under the new scheme, i.e 12.5% without indexation and old scheme- 20% under indexation, and pay the tax which is lower than the two. 

Homeowners have the option to reinvest their proceeds up to Rs. 10 crores in another property without paying the long-term capital gains tax with specified conditions she shares. 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says that the revenue proposals have brought in focus on ease for taxpayers by simplifying laws and procedures, and facilitation for growth and employment.

She says the debate on the Finance Bill has been confined to ‘you are not doing enough for the middle class.’ The slabs for income tax was liberalised under the new tax regime in 2023, she says, adding that all taxpayers had a reduced tax liability of Rs. 37,500 crores. 

Standard deduction for salaried employees has been increased to Rs. 75,000 from Rs. 50,000, she says. The deduction of family pension for pensioners has been increased from ₹15,000 to ₹30,000. We have reduced the burden of middle class considerably, she says.

From 93 days to receive a refund in 2013-14, it is now 10 days, she highlights.

Unrelatedly earlier in his address, Mr. Maran speaking about the state of aircraft manufacturing in India, he had held that DGCA was only following the U.S. FAA standards. He said the United States’ civil aviation body had already indicated, “There is a lot of discrepancies in our aviation sector”. 

Mr. Maran in his address sought the ministry consider introducing young blood into the civil aviation ecosystem. He placed concerns about the potential for the same, putting forth that the government does not own any airport or aircraft. The Chennai Central MP held that the government accorded benefits to Tatas for maintenance and repair towards Air India. According to him, Tatas were receiving the benefits that Air India should have got but the government operated it in losses and later sold it to Tatas. 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman counters claims pertaining to unemployment and those which indicate that there is no support for labour intensive sectors, like textile and leather. She says that several measures have been taken for the same, and she shares data about women’s employment.

Female enrollment in higher education has increased by 42% since 2013-14, she says, adding that women’s labour force participation has increased to 37% in 2023-24, from 23.3% in 2017-18. This increased participation has reversed steady decline during UPA era, she says. This budget has allocated Rs. 3 lakh crores to schemes support girls and women. 

See more about​ budget measures announced for women during the Union Budget 2024-25 here.​

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman replies to points brought up by member Digvijay Singh during the discussion, starting with the reliance the member has placed in the Global Hunger Index. The index does not explain how conflict-ridden countries like Mali, Burkino Faso and Sudan are above us, she says. It has not taken into account the efforts taken to reduce hunger, such as the distribution of foodgrains to 8 crore people, she says. Please question based on studies you do in this country, she says to the member. 

She counters his statement that net financial household savings are lowest. She says that the country is witnessing changes in smart portfolio diversification, even for small accounts. She says that the porfolios being selected are probably giving better returns. The people are also investing in property, she says. Money is going not into deposits but into asset creation, which is not counted at all, she says. 

The member from Purnia (Bihar) sought why the government was not placing an upper limit ceiling to check exorbitant rise in fares. Mr. Yadav further pointed to the existing provision that mandates the limit. The Purnia MP further sought that the upper limit should be audited from time to time to ensure compliance. 

Stating that airline operators in India are operating wilfully, would abruptly hike airfares massively during peak travel and festive seasons. The same happens for fares to large cities, he told the house. “Why are the passengers not being informed about the reason of the sudden hike in fares?”. Separately, Mr Yadav had earlier placed concerns about those travelling for medical reasons or students appearing for exams being asked to pay the higher fares. 

Mr. Yadav further placed his objections about the excessively high food prices in airports – which, he held, were unaffordable for the middle class. 

The Purnia MP further objected to excess baggage charges in airlines. He held, “If you think the plane would not be able to fly (because of the excess baggage), why are you willing to do that by charging additional money?”. 

The member also asked if there are provisions to accommodate aircrafts of insolvent airlines. 

The Budget highlights and continues the feature that Capital expenditure would be sustained at Rs. 11.11 lakh crores, including Rs. 1.5 lakh crores given as capital assistance to the States which is interest free for 10 years, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Rajya Sabha, replying to the combined discussion on three finance bills in the House. 

There are growing number of challenges that India has to face, she says, highlighting the Covid pandemic, two wars which have not abated and the Red Sea issue. She supports the approach of investing in capex versus investing in revenue as being beneficial for the growth of the economy. 

Parliament Affairs Minister Kiren Rijuju moves a motion under rule 117 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of State that the debate on the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2022 (Amendment of Article 16) by Javed Ali Khan under discussion be adjourned for a day allotted to Private Members’ Bills during the next Rajya Sabha session. It is adopted. 

IUML MP Abdul Wahab says that the power to vacate Waqf properties under the Bill was stringent, that is why we are opposing the withdrawal of the Bill. The idea of withdrawing this Bill is to make new amendments, the intention of the Bill is not clear but it is not for a good intention, he says. 

You should reconsider the Bill you have recirculated, he says. Do not give all power to IAS officers, he says. 

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijuju seeks leave to withdraw The Waqf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Billl, 2014. Two notices, one by Abdul Wahab and Dr. John Brittas, oppose the withdrawal of the Bill. 

Dr. Brittas opposes the withdrawal under rule 119. He says that Bill was introduced to free the encroachment of Waqf properties, and the objectives are model ones. This government deliberately delayed getting the confirmation of the House and Parliament, he asserts. He says that this Bill is being withdrawn to introduce a Bill opposite in intention, to encroach upon Waqf properties. The intention of the government is suspect, they want to polarise the people, he says, submitting that the government has no right to get into Waq properties and that they are diluting the Waqf Act. 

The people of the country does not appreciate your bulldozer politics, he says. 

Piyush Goyal introduces the Boilers Bill, 2024 in Rajya Sabha to provide for the regulation of boilers, safety of persons from the explosions of steam boilers and for uniformity in registration and inspection during manufacture and use of boilers. 

Congress MP Kishori Lal put forth concerns about Indira Gandhi National Aviation University having not received grants since 2015. He told the house that a parliamentary committee headed by TMC MP Derek O’Brien had made a recommendation about disbursing the grant in their report tabled in 2018. However, according to the member, the grants have not been given yet. 

Mr. Lal further enumerated that the institute has not been able to install and/or calibrate latest air traffic control systems and other instruments. He sought the bill accord focus to these considerations as well. 

The Amethi MP further noted that the institute has not had a regular director since 2018. He stated that a technician was appointed a director of the institute – which was not rational from the perspective of safety. 

Mr. Lal told the house that between 2019 and 2023, there have been 4 incidents of aircraft crash where three students have lost their lives. 

The Amethi MP further sought a response from the government on the inclusion of private players in aircraft manufacturing. Observing that the PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited have not received enough work that have contributed to its unencouraging state, he sought if the government would consider according them work as well. 

Shiv Sena MP from Mewal, Shrirang Appa Barne raised concerns over private airlines not making timely refunds to travellers in the event of a cancellation. He sought that the high-handedness of airline operators in these situations must stop. Mr Barne further sought that airline employees must also be trained in soft skills to handle passengers better. 

Mr Barne also sought the ministry consider expediting the construction of the second airport in Mumbai (in Panvel) and build another airport in Pune. This is to make air travel more comfortable, he stated. 

TMC’S Sougata Ray on Thursday (August 8, 2024) opposed the introduction of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill, accusing the Centre of of imposing Hindi. 

Mr. Ray said that English must be used for government purposes. 

Meanwhile, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, TDP MP from Andhra Pradesh defended the Bill and said the number of airports has increased exponentially to 150 since the BJP came to power in the Centre. 

The government has made travelling by air has been made accessible to common people because of the central government. 

CPI(M) MP John Brittas slams the Centre for ignoring States, saying, “Principles of federalism have been scuttled. In 2019-20, total cess and surcharges collected was Rs 2,00,544 crores and 2023-24 was Rs 5 lakh crores. The revenue of Centre has increased by 96%. In 2023-24, Centre has earned Rs 4,32,000 crores in cess and surcharges on petroleum, while all states put together garnered Rs 3,18,000 crores”. 

He accuses the Centre of sanctioning Rs 4 lakh crores-worth Centrally-sponsored scheme, but states will have to bear Rs 2 lakh crores. Asserting that Kerala was not seeking special status, he says that no industrial corridor or parks where announced for Congress. He urges PM Modi to declare Wayanad landslide as a natural calamity and announce a relief package for it.

Kiren Rijiju proposed sending the Wakf Bill to a joint parliamentary committee after opposition parties objected to its provision. 

He also introduced The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024. Home Minister Amit Shah said since the Waqf Act of 1995 came into being, there was a need to repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, of 1923 which had lost its relevance. 

The Wakf Act, 1995, was brought to regulate ‘Auqaf’ (assets donated and notified as Waqf) by a ‘wakif’ (the person who dedicates a property for any purpose recognised by Muslim law as religious or charitable). 

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh highlights that rate of private investment in India has stabilised in the last ten years. He asks, “Why is private investment stagnating? Is it because of environment of fear not conducive to investment? Why is manufacturing falling. Garment exports in 2013-14 was $15 billion and in 2023-24 is $14 billion - it has fallen. Why has private consumption fallen? While high-income consumption has risen, mass consumption has fallen?”. He urges FM Sitharaman to ponder over these questions. 

Mr. Dhankar is in the Chair in Rajya Sabha which debates the Finance (No.2) Bill.

BSP chief Mayawati on Thursday targeted the central and Uttar Pradesh governments over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, saying their “forceful interference” in matters of mosques, madrasas, and Waqf was against the country’s Constitution.

In a series of posts on X, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day, should be sent to the Standing Committee of the House for better consideration. 

“In view of the doubts, apprehensions and objections raised on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill presented in Parliament today, it is appropriate to send this Bill to the Standing Committee of the House for better consideration. It would be better if the government does not hurry on such sensitive issues,” she added. 

Mr. Naidu introduced the Bill, and it will replace the Aircraft Act of 1934. The Bill was tabled by the Minister for Civil Aviation. 

The Statement of Objects and Reasons that the Bill was being introduced because the 90-year-old Aircraft Act, 1934 has been amended several times and “a need is felt to address the ambiguities and confusion experienced by the stakeholders, to remove redundancies, to enable ease of doing business and to provide for manufacture and maintenance in the aviation sector”.

The proposed legislation will bring the Radio Telephone Operator Restricted (RTR) Certificate and Licence testing process from the Department of Telecom (DoT) to the DGCA, and ease the process for pilots as they can secure all their certificates from one authority, a senior official of the Ministry of Civil Aviation said. The exam is also conducted for aircraft maintenance engineers and flight despatchers. 

Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill does not intend to interfere with the freedom of any religious body and that no provision of the Constitution has been violated.

Responding to objections raised by several opposition members on the introduction of the bill in Lok Sabha, he said the Waqf Act 1995 did not serve its purpose, hence the amendment was planned.

“I want to tell Congress these amendments are being brought to achieve what you (Congress) couldn’t,” he said.

Defending the amendments, Mr. Rijiju said a joint parliamentary committee had recommended that the Waqf Act 1995 should be re-looked.

He said the Opposition was opposing for the sake of politics.

Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu on Thursday presented to the Lok Sabha The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill, 2024, amidst constant sloganeering from the Opposition. 

The Waqf (Amendment) 2024 bill has been introduced in the Lok Sabha and the government has asked for a joint parliamentary committee to be set up to further examine the Bill.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh condemns the Centre for writing off bad loans by corporate houses but claiming that enough funds are not available for restoring old pension scheme, clear dues of sanitation and railway workers. “Agniveer scheme is a betrayal to the youth of our nation when protestors in UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana are demanding its scrapping,” says Mr. Singh. He adds that Rs. 5,44,000 crores has been written off by Centre, listing corporate houses. Rajeev Shukla is in the Chair. 

Opposition MPs continue demanding a debate on Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from Paris Olympics. 

Kiren Rijiju said on Thursday that the Bill is being implemented for the welfare of the Muslims in the country. 

He further said that the clauses in the Bill would be re-visited, before moving The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024. 

While introducing the Wakf (Amendment) Bill would be called the United Wakf Act Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development Act, short for UMEED, Mr. Rijiju said. 

The Opposition is trying to mislead Muslims, Mr. Rijiju said. 

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is being brought after extensive consultations, the Minister added. 

Union Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said the amendments to the Wakf Act 1995 did not serve its purpose. “I want to tell the Congress that these amendments are being brought to achieve what you couldn’t,” Mr. Rijiju said. 

The Opposition is trying to mislead the House about the intentions of the Waqf Bill, he added. “The Opposition is opposing the Bill for the sake of politics,” the Minister said. 

The Joint Parliamentary Committee recommended that the Waqf Act 1995 should be re-looked, that’s we took it up, Mr. Rijiju added. 

Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju responding to the Wakf (Amendment) Bill on Thursday said there is no interference with the freedom of any religious body in the bill. 

He asserted that no Article in the Constitution has been violated because of this Bill. 

Congress MP Vivek Tankha welcomes the scrapping of angel tax from foreign investments in start-ups, but adds that the Budget was transferring that burden on the middle-class. Criticizing several aspects of the budget such as its allocation to health, education, tribal welfare, agriculture and minorities, he laments the reduced allocation MGNREGA - the rural employment scheme. 

BJP MP Ramilaben Becharbhai Bara lauds the visionary budget, extolling Prime Minister Modi dedication in attracting foreign investments in India since his tenure as Gujarat’s CM. Condemning the Congress for not doing anything to empower women inspite of having a female party chief for long, she claims that Mr. Modi has always worked tirelessly to project women in various fields. 

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar is in the Chair as the Rajya Sabha debates the Finance (No.2) Bill tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The opposition on Thursday strongly protested against the introduction of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, with several INDIA bloc MPs calling it an attack on the Constitution and aimed at targeting Muslims.

They also urged the government to withdraw the bill. 

Soon after Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sought leave to introduce the bill, Congress MP KC Venugopal -- who had submitted notice to oppose its introduction -- accused the government of violating freedom of religion and attacking the federal system through it.

“This is a draconian law and a fundamental attack on the Constitution,” Mr. Venugopal said.

He said people taught the BJP a lesson for its divisive politics but it was continuing with the same, keeping in mind the upcoming assembly elections in states such as Haryana and Maharashtra.

“It is a direct attack on freedom of religion … Next you will go for Christians, then Jains,” he said.

Mr. Venugopal asserted that the people of India would not buy this kind of divisive politics now.

With deputy Chairman Harivansh presiding, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tables Finance (No.2) Bill, 2024 for discussion and return. Some Opposition MPs try to raise the Vinesh Phogat disqualification but the Chair disallows it.

Speaker Om Birla attempted to interrupt Mr. Yadav but the SP MP did not budge. “I have heard in the lobby that even your rights are being curtailed, we will have to fight for you too,” Mr. Yadav says to the Speaker, prompting an angry response from Mr. Shah. 

“The rights of the Speaker are not only for Opposition, he belongs to the entire Lok Sabha. You cannot talk like this,” Mr. Shah says. “You are not the custodian of the Speaker’s rights,” he tells Mr. Yadav.

House erupts in protest.

When there is a democratic process for election, why are we changing it, the SP MP asks. There is historical evidence of the ramifications of giving district collectors too much power, he adds.

Lalan Singh said that the amendment is not an attempt to regulate mosques which are the places of worship for Muslims, but Mr. Masood says that mosques are under Waqf boards. 

Opposing to Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, Mr. Owaisi says that it violates the principles of Article 14, 15, and 25 [of the Constitution]. “It violates the principle of judicial independence, suppression of powers,” he says.

Waqf management of a property is an essential religious practice for Muslims, and by denying it legal recognition the government has sought to severely restrict how Muslims can manage their Waqf properties, he says.

You are enemy of Muslims and this Bill is proof of that, Mr. Owaisi says to the government.

“Is this the new way of the government’s working?” Ms. Sule questions.

“This office is a temple of democracy and we take our jobs seriously. Please inform us before leaking [Bills] selectively to the media,” she requests.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju refutes Ms. Sule, says it was circulated in Parliament. Ms. Sule says it was in the media first. 

Speaker Om Birla says the Bill has been circulated to all MPs, but Opposition members protest. 

People in this House are equating Waqf boards with temples, but they are different, the Minister says. “This is not an attempt to regulate mosques,” he adds.

“Waqf boards are organisations established under the law. This amendment aims to bring transparency to it,” he adds.

Loud protests in the House.

According to a copy of the bill accessed by The Hindu, the proposed legislation will ensure “representation of Muslim and non-Muslims” in Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards.

The Bill proposes registration of Waqf properties through a central portal and database and provides for “detailed procedure for mutation as per revenue laws with due notice to all concerned before recording any property as waqf property.”

Read more here

Would it be possible for Muslims or Christians to be part of a board that manages a Hindu temple, asks Ms. Kanimozhi. 

“Then, why should somebody, who does not believe in a particular religion, have the right to make decisions on behalf of that religion,” she says. 

The first Waqf board is in Mecca, will we raise questions on it too, Mr. Mohibullah asks.

This will be a huge mistake and we will pay for it for centuries to come, he adds.

Speaking on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Mr. Venugopal says that the data collection related to Waqf boards is looked after by States, and the Bill will take all data collection to the Centre.

It is also an attack of freedom of religion, he says.

Durai Vaiko, MDMK MP says, “I want to speak on an emotional issue of the Tamil Nadu fishermen, who have been attacked, killed, and looted by the Sri Lankan Navy for the past 40 years.” 

He says that the recent letter by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to the External Affairs Minister mentioned more than 250 fishermen have been attacked and arrested in the last seven months. 

Mr. Vaiko says, “More than 6,000 fishermen have been attacked and looted by the Sri Lankan Navy in the past 20 years.” 

He says, “Current Chief Minister and previous CMs have asked the Union government for a solution to this issue over the past 30 years.” 

“I had to leave the House to take decisions. When a scene is created in the House, it becomes an epicentre for disruption for the entire nation. It is then our duty to sometimes take tough decisions. I left my seat to introspect, having been witness to a spectacle which I found was unprecedented, indigestible, and I would be walking away from my oath if I do not take tough decisions. I have called a meeting of floor leaders at 1.30 p.m.,” Mr. Dhankhar says.

Murari Lal Meena, Congress MP from Dausa raises the issues related to NH 121 connecting Agra with Bikaner. 

He says, “This was constructed 30 years back. Due to some technical issues, some black spots were left which led to major accidents.” 

He urged the Centre to “construct crossing ahead of the flyovers.” He further adds, “My constituency Dausa has no flyover at the entry point and outer point.” 

In his response, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav says that the permissions for the project were given after consultation with experts, and areas for compensatory afforestation have been designated.

The island of Great Nicobar is the southernmost tip of India and a part of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago that comprises 600-odd islands. It is hilly and covered with lush rainforests that are sustained by around 3,500 mm of annual rainfall. The rainforests and beaches host numerous endangered and endemic species including the giant leatherback turtle, the Nicobar megapode, the Great Nicobar crake, the Nicobar crab-eating macaque, and the Nicobar tree shrew. It has an area of 910 sq km with mangroves and Pandan forests along its coast. Read more here

Pankaj Sekhsaria, an associate professor at IIT Bombay, has put together the book titled ‘The Great Nicobar Betrayal’, published by Frontline. He said the Environmental Impact Assessment prepared for the project lacked scientific rigour and cautioned against the folly as the Great Nicobar Island is not only pristine with invaluable biodiversity and vulnerable tribal population, but is also a geologically-sensitive island. Read more here

V. K. Sreekandan, Congress MP from Palakkad lashes out at Centre and says, “What happened in Wayanad is because of the mishandling of the Central government.” 

“Despite recurring landslides in Wayanad due to rain, there were no Doppler Weather Radars.” 

He says, “The Union government has approved X-band radars with an observation range of 100 km in 2023 in Kozhikode. But the site inspection has not been completed even today.”

Mr. Sreekandan says, “It has been a long pending demand of Kerala for permanent weather radar in North Kerala but it is yet to be installed.” 

“In the last ten years, how many jobs have really been created?” Mr. Surjewala asks.

In response, Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya calls him “confused”. “If the economy of a country grows, there is employment generation,” Mr. Mandaviya says. He calls it “common sense”.

Anup Sanjay Dhotre, BJP MP from Akola, urges the Centre to start the Vande Bharat train connecting Mumbai and Nagpur. He adds this will provide better connectivity to the working commuters. 

Azad Kirti Jha, TMC MP from Bardhaman Durgapur, raises the need for an underpass in his constituency. 

Nitin Gadkari in his response says, “2,252 underpasses and 1,184 overpasses have been constructed.” 

He says, “We have planned to create foot-over bridge to minimise the accident of school children around schools.” 

Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, Congress MP from Mumbai North- Central says, “The government talks about MSME sector’s development and ease of unemployment but the Budget has something else to say. 

She highlights, “The Budget only includes 500 companies.” 

She raises a question and says, “Why was MSME sector not involved?” 

Amid interruptions from Speaker Om Birla, Ms. Gaikwad raises the issue of the rapid shutting down of MSME companies across States. 

“Nothing will go on record,” says the Deputy Chairman as members attempt to speak on the issue in addition to the matters they are raising with the permission of the Chair.

Anurag Singh Thakur, BJP MP from Hamirpur lauds the effort of Modi government towards the MSME sector. 

He lashes out at the Opposition and asks them to compare the last 20 years of work which includes 10 years of UPA government and 10 years of NDA-led government. He says, “I want to know the vision of government in the upcoming 10 years towards MSME sector.” 

Ambica G. L. Valmiki, TDP MP from Anantapur raises questions over sanction for construction of a ring road around Anantapur. 

Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highway responds to the issue and says, “We don’t have a sanction for construction of ring road in Anantapur.”

He says, “Currently, we have three bypasses with a total length of 27.75 km covering the outer periphery of the city.” 

Chairman Dhankhar says he finds himself unable to “be at his post for some time”. He blames the protests in the House for the same.

Challenging the authority of the Chair through letters and newspapers is unparliamentary, says Mr. Dhankhar. “This is not a challenge to me, it is a challenge to the post of the Rajya Sabha Chair,” he adds.

“They think that the person occupying this Chair is not worth the post,” he says. He singles out Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and tells him to “not laugh”.

Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu responds to the question raised by Mr. Tharoor and says, “I don’t agree with him completely when he says that we are not harmonising with the International bodies.” 

He says, “We understand when we are setting up MROs, it is not just for the Indian fleet. We want to create an atmosphere where International airlines and come and access our facilities.” 

He adds, “It is a work-in-progress”. 

Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP highlights three difficulties faced by the MRO sector. He points out that Centre misses out on maintaining the International fleet size. He further added, “The industry has not been integrated well with the value chains that involve OEMs and this is creating a problem.“

Lastly, he points out, “You said nothing on whether we can include MROs under Production Linked Incentives”. 

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar says that the matter has been discussed in the House already. “How can only 100 grams lead to disqualification, who is behind this?” Mr. Kharge asks.

Chairman Dhankhar singles out AITC MP Derek O’Brien, says his conduct is the “ugliest”. “How dare you shout at the Chair,” Mr. Dhankhar says angrily.

He also refers to the 1975 Emergency as an extrapolation of the consequences of protests. “We saw a dark phase of our democracy during Emergency. We know how this starts -- it starts first with a challenge to parliamentary institutions,” Mr. Dhankhar says.

Dushyant Singh, BJP MP from Jhalawar-Baran, questions centre’s plan to integrate OEM streamline supply chain which will in turn attract big players. 

Answering the question, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu says, the vision of the Centre is to not just improve the infrastructure of the airports but also improve the MRO sector of the country. 

Opposition MPs allege that they sent a notice to Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, which he hasn’t acknowledged in the House. “See me in my chamber,” Mr. Dhankhar replies as he asks Ajit Madhavrao Gopchade of BJP to continue speaking.

Putta Mahesh Kumar, TDP MP from Eluru, urges Centre to establish incubators for uplifting the Palm oil farmers in the district. 

Proceedings of the day begin with Question Hour.