Parliament Session Highlights: Both Houses adjourn for the day

Both House will resume proceedings at 11 a.m., July 29.

RSP MP N.K. Premachandran: “Three million people (Indians) are working the Middle East or the Gulf countries, and if we examine the social status or the economic background, 90-95% of them belong to the lower or middle strata. How should they meet the airfare expenses of these private airlines?”

The entire airline industry has become privatised. Mr. Premachandran asked the Aviation Minister whether a study has been conducted on the impact of the privatisation of Air India and what is the improvement of Air India’s service, because he said that there isn’t any improvement.

BJP MP Dushyant Singh says that airfare is determined by different preferences of the passenger and that people should be able to opt out of the ‘unbundling services’ of airline companies. But because some of these services are termed as perishable commodities, so they need to be sold. They also need to see how much their fixed costs of capital investments, working capital, revenue expenditure and operating expenditure are. If these prices can come down, then ticket pricing will also come down.

He closes by saying that the work done by the government is just the tip of the iceberg and that they will keep trying to improve the airline prices by working together.

“Several states have been given special grants in the Budget announced by the Finance Minister. I express my sadness over the lack of provisions for Punjab, a State that has suffered greatly from partition, endured terrorism, and led the Green Revolution,” the AAP leader says in the Upper House.

Congress MP Shafi Parambil shares why he moved the house for leave to introduce a Bill to provide for the establishment of an Airfare Regulatory Board for monitoring and regulation of airfare and for matters connected there with.

He spoke about airfare prices by airlines looting the people and that it lessens the opportunities for people to travel under urgent situations.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar questions Treasury Benches over ruckus. “Why were the other members reacting when none of the members had seen the tweet highlighted by Piyush Goyal?” the Chairman asks. 

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urges the Chair to ask the AAP MP to delete the post as he calls it misleading.

In response, AAP’s Sanjay Singh states, “My colleague was taking part in a discussion on the issue of OBC reservation on the caste census. What’s the problem? You are threatening us! Don’t scare us in the name of jail.”

The Lok Sabha takes up Private Members’ Businness. Bills are moved by members. Among these, DMK MP C.N. Annadurai requests to move the house:

- for leave to introduce a bill to amend the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005. (Also to introduce the bill)

- for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order 1950. (Also to introduce the bill)

- for leave to introduce a Bill to provide for the setting up of a Commission on regulate and promote the development of Information Technology industry in the country and formatters connected therewith or incidental thereto. (Also to introduce the bill)

Discussion continues on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (amendment of Article 16). Congress MP Neeraj Dangi demands caste census, leading to loud protests from Treasury Benches.

Amid ruckus, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar urges both sides to maintain the decorum of the House and listen to each other, emphasising the importance of healthy discussion. Protests intensify after Minister Piyush Goyal alleges that the Opposition insulted MP Phangnon Konyak, who was in the Chair when the proceedings were adjourned. He made the allegation in reference to a tweet by AAP MP Sanjay Singh. “It is not the BJP but the Opposition that insults adivasis,” Mr. Goyal says. 

BJP MP Saumitra Khan says that this budget is for the farmers, the youth, and people belonging to the SC/ST communities. He states the funds allocated for students, the Mudra loan, and the allocations for tribal women who don’t have houses, further development schemes for women and urban housing for the poor. He said that States are doing well because of PM Narendra Modi. 

Independent MP from Bihar Rajesh Ranjan says that according to government research, in 10 years. the country has not done anything to help the unemployed belonging to SC/ST communities. According to the International Labour Organisation’s latest report, in 2000, the educated yet unemployed was around 54.2%, but it grew to about 65.7% in 2022. 

Samajwadi Party MP Chhotelal Singh Kharwar says that even though BJP has been in power for 10 years now, they haven’t kept their promises to the farmers. This budget is a ‘Sarkar bachao budget’ and isn’t a guarantee to the farmers, he says. He also adds that there is no college in Shondbadra, Robertsganj, Chandauli, Chakia, Naugad and other places where the tribal people can study and become a IAS or PCS. 

He further questions ‘the people who talk about the farmers’, will they tell us if the place has dried up? But many places, like Robertsganj and Sonbhadra have dried up and the water is not drinkable, he says. 

In the form of a poem, he says that the government should be one who guarantees free education, medicine, MSP, electricity, food and water.

Congress MP Balwant Baswant Wankhade highlights the plight of farmers in Maharashtra, and says that it has not been adequately addressed by the Budget. He also says that the old pension scheme is not mentioned in the new Budget, and says that it should be made applicable. 

He says that infant mortality and maternal mortality is continuing, and that measures should be taken to tackle it. He also says that education should be given importance. 

He touches upon the name of “Sanvidhan Hatya Diwas” and says that it should be scrapped. 

This is not a budget for the SC/ST and Bahujan communities, and so I decry this Budget, he says, concluding his speech. 

BJP MP Vishnu Dayal Ram says the the Budget has provided for creation of vegetable clusters important centres. The budget also makes provisions for shrimp production and export, he says. Agriculture and agriculture allied activities have received 1.59 lakh crores in this year’s budget, he says. 

There have been measures discussed to increase the participation of women in the workforce, including the creation of working women’s hostels, he says. 

Mr. Dayal speaks about the Purvoday scheme mentioned in the Budget. Saying that he is part of Jharkhand, which was once part of Bihar, he highlights that this was once a BIMARU State. No one spoke about the progress of Bihar before, now when it is receiving funds, why are people speaking about it, he asks. 

He also touches briefly upon the J&K Union Budget. He highlights that a zero tolerance policy was adopted to tackle terrorism and that a multi-prong, multi-purpose strategy was adopted to tackle inflitrators. 

The Upper House was adjourned for an hour after protests broke out over Congress MP Neeraj Dangi’s remarks on reservations during a discussion on the Private Member’s Bill moved by Javed Ali Khan.

IUML MP Dr. MP Abdussamad Samadani asserts that the government believes that the middle class should continue to be taxed more and more. He further says the preliminary need of the farmers is the MSP guarantee. For youths, job creation should be the primary priority. He adds that allocation for schemes for women were also reduced. 

Samajwadi Party MP Javed Ali Khan moves the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (amendment of Article 16) for consideration and passing. Article 16 prohibits discrimination in employment in any government office. 

This Union budget is not for the States, it is a “sarkar bachao” budget, says SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal. She highlights that the two States for which the greatest allocation has been made are the two on which the government relies on to remain standing, 

She also brings up issues pertaining to water in Punjab, saying that when there is too much water, they flood Punjab, and when there is too little water, water from the State is given to other States. She requests that Punjab be paid for the water diverted from it to Rajasthan in violation of riparian principles, or the process be stopped. 

Ms. Badal highlighted budget cuts in key areas which would also impact farmers, and requested that the MS Swaminathan Committee’s recommendations for Minimum Support Price (MSP) be implemented. 

The MP moved to introduce the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (amendment of article 158) to further amend the Constitution. The Article deals with the ‘conditions of the Governor’s office’.

Chaos erupted in the House as the proposed legislation was taken up, with the Treasury Benches strongly opposing the Bill. After a voice vote, the Chair declared, “The Ayes have it.” This prompted a strong protest from the Treasury Benches. Deputy Chairman Harivansh corrected himself, stating that he had made an error and that “the Noes have it.” 

Following repeated voice votes, a division of votes was finally called. The final vote showed Ayes 21, Noes 56. The result was revised after the initial result showed Ayes 11, Noes 54.

The Kerala MP further moved to introduce to amend the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.

Karnataka BJP MP Iranna Kadadi moves for leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

MP R. Girirajan moves for leave to introduce a Bill to further amend the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. Other proposed legislations include the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (substitution of article 263 and amendment of the Seventh and Eighth Schedules) to amend the Constitution of India. 

Durai Vaiko, MDMK MP from Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu) points out that a Budget of ₹24,930 crore has been allotted to MRTS and metro projects, however, he says, “It is highly disheartening to note that the second phase of Chennai Metro, much-awaited metro projects in Coimbatore and Madurai have not been mentioned.” 

He says, “Central government with its step-motherly attitude has allotted thousands of crores for flood mitigation measures in other states.” 

Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry says, “It seems like the discussion is not on the Budget but to criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” 

Congress MP Jai Prakash raises his objection to the statement. Current chair Jagdambika Pal intervenes and says, “When you [Congress MP Jai Prakash] were speaking, you were given more time as well and no one intervened during your speech.” He adds, “Learn the tradition of the House”.

This is a kind of surgical strike on the dreams and aspirations of people, Mr. Kumar says. 

The MP wants the Union Budget to more inclusive and comprehensive.

He also says that the allocation of Kerala is way less than what the State contributes.

“It may be a tall ask, and ₹5,000 maybe a little less,” Mr. Reddy says. He suggests that the government should start with a reasonable number of 20-30 lakhs to start with for the first four or five years. He also adds that the apprenticeship amount should be around ₹15,000-20,000. 

In the Budget, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that in order to provide on-job training to youth, the government will launch an internship scheme to provide opportunities to one crore youth in top 500 companies over the next five years.

She proposed that for the interns to get exposure to real life environment an internship allowance will be provided of ₹5,000 per month. Read more here

Jai Prakash, Congress MP from Hisar (Haryana) takes a dig at the Centre and says, “This Budget has nothing for the farmers or youth of the country. The Budget was made just for a few wealthy individuals.” 

He raises the question of why is Haryana ignored in the Budget 2024. 

Jugal Kishore, BJP MP from Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) hails the positive aspects of the Union Budget 2024. He says, “Budget aims at creating maximum employment opportunity.”

Read more here

Replying to Kiren Rijiju, K. C. Venugopal says, “The primary duty of the Parliamentary Affairs Minister is to carry the house together.” 

He says, “Unfortunately, yesterday, our Parliamentary Affairs Minister gave a bad statement, a very condemnable statement.” 

Chairman Dhankhar says Mr. Surjewala is not allowing the House to discuss the welfare of farmers and is causing disruptions. 

Loud protests continue.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari requests the Chair to allow Mr. Surjewala to ask one question on MSP.

Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs intervenes over Opposition’s objection to the proceedings of the business of the house. 

He says, “When it comes to the business of the government. Then [Opposition] can object to it but why are you objecting to the normal authority of the house.” 

The Lower House was briefly adjourned amid uproar by the Opposition and the treasury benches over remarks to divide West Bengal and an alleged scam involving a minister in the Karnataka government.

Read more here

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar urges members to sit as Opposition members protest in the Well of the House. “This is unbecoming of you,” he tells the members.

“Several members of the House, particularly of the Opposition, were victims of this...our mobile phones notified us of this,” he says. He asks if the government has taken cognisance of this attack, is there a list of people who were attacked, and what action has been taken. 

“This is the second time I am raising this issue in the House, Mr. Chadha adds.

In response, MoS Jitin Prasada refutes allegations of “state-sponsored attack”. “I can categorically say, there is no such thing as state-sponsored hacking or tracking,” he says.

INC MP Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde says that many PHCs in Maharashtra are ill-equipped and people need to travel far to civil hospitals for certificates and treatments. 

Chemicals Minister J.P. Nadda said that we provide 106 medicines and 14 tests free in all centres. Many programmes have been initiated in the last 10 years on district level.

The upgrade will cater to people of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir and they will save precious time instead of having to travel to Chandigarh, the MP says.

Kirti Azad asks government’s schemes for the healthcare of senior citizens. 

Health Minister J.P. Nadda replies: Aayushman Arogya Mandir, Centre’s wellness centres, has over 2 crore footfalls. A sizable population are senior citizens. He explains how these wellness centres have helped many to identify medical conditions. 

District hospitals and above have geriatric wards. 

BJP MP C.N. Manjunath suggests having a ply0trauma clinic every 125 km, given the rise of road accidents in highways. Dr. Manjunath, himself is a trauma specialist. 

Mr. Nadda says it is not possible as of now. But we have opened trauma units in National Highways. 

“The national average of flood-prone areas is 10.2%, but for Assam, it’s 40%,” Ms. Dev says.

The irony is that these floods are recurring everywhere, she adds. She also questions how can Chief Ministers spend the money effectively if most funds under SDRF are regulated by the Centre.

Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Ongole MP, questions NMC’s norm of one medical seat for every 10 lakh population. 

Mr. Nadda says we have 21 AIIMS today. He also lists the increase in the number of medical colleges. 

I’ll see to it that there is a quality and quantity of medical education. We are in talks with the NMC, he says. 

Treasury benches wanted suspension of business to discuss the MUDA scam. The 267 notice was, however, rejected. Instead, a BJP MP was allowed to raise the same issue during Zero Hour, which led to loud protests from the Opposition.

Read more here

Amarinder Singh Raja (Congress) says as an MP for the last two months, he has signed maximum papers seeking aid for cancer treatment. 

He is asking if affordable or free cancer care can be provided for the poor and middle class. 

Chemicals Minister J.P. Nadda agrees with the member that cancer is a dreaded disease. He says Ayushman Bharat covers cancer. A patient gets upto Rs. 5 lakh benefit. Free diagnostic facilities are available for the poor. 

Minister for Women and Children Annpurna Devi replies that via Mission Vatsalya we provide children with CNCP (Bal Grihya). The CWC provides the children with what they need when they need it.

M.P. Chamala Kiran Kumar further asks whether the government has done a study to understand the plight of children who have lost their parents due to COVID-19 and what they have done for these 2 million children.

Minister of Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi replies that under PM Cares Yojana, which was setup for parents of children who lost their lives due to COVID-19 which had a timeline from March 11 2020 to May 29 2021. The district magistrates have made a committee to identify the children who lost their parents during COVID-19.

House continues to protest.

Chamala Kiran Kumar asks what steps the government has taken to bring India among the top 50 countries of the child welfare index and a timeline of the same.

Minister of Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi replies that the government has started Vatsalya Yojana to provide all Indian children with a healthy and happy childhood. They have to set up a sensitive system that supports holistic growth.

In a letter, P.T. Usha says that she is leading the Indian contingent at the 2024 Paris Olympics and will, therefore, will remain absent from Rajya Sabha from July 24 to August 12 during the current 265th session of the Rajya Sabha.

“Today our country remembers the courage and sacrifice of the Indian Army to protect the unity, sovereignty and integrity of India, celebrating the 25th annual remembrance of the Kargil Victory day,” Mr. Birla says.

The House observes silence as a mark of respect.

Chairman Dhankhar interrupts him, says he cannot allow him to speak on the matter since he didn’t allow the Opposition benches to do so.

Rule 267 is not allowed. Protests continue.

Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha rulebook allows for suspension of day’s business to debate the issue suggested by a Member.

House erupts in protest.

Mr. Dhankhar also requests MPs to observe silence for soldiers who died in the line of duty in the 1999 Kargil War.

Speaker Om Birla arrives in the House.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar arrives in the House.

The war of words between the Opposition and Treasury Benches continued on July 25. In the Rajya Sabha, Opposition MPs raised issues relating to the state of the economy for the second day of the debate on the Budget. ​Read the report here.​