It's Friday today, the day reserved for Private Members' Bill in both the Houses of Parliament. The Lok Sabha is expected to take Private Members' business only after the passage of National Sports University Bill.
The Home Minister made a statement on the Assam's National Register of Citizens on Friday in Rajya Sabha. He also made a statement in Lok Sabha on the detention of Trinamool Congress parliamentarians in Assam on Thursday.
Here are the live updates:
In Rajya Sabha, Rakesh Sinha's speechj is paused due to paucity of time. The House takes up special mentions. He will continue his speech when the Bill is taken up again, probably next Friday.
After over 80 bills were introduced, Lok Sabha takes up a Private Member Bill for discussion.
The Sixth Schedule to the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2015, is being discussed. The Bill was proposed by Vincent Pala.
The Bill seeks to amend the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution in its application to constitution of District Councils and powers of the District Councils and Regional Councils.
Sunil Kumar Singh (BJP) speaks. He is continuing his speech from last Budget session. He recalls when the Bill was introduced in 2015 BJP had little presence in the north-east. But today, barring Sikkim and Mizoram, BJP or its coalition is in power in the region.
Ramdas Athawale, RPI(A), begins his speech with a poem. The MoS for Social Justice says he was in Lok Sabha with Congress support and he is Rajya Sabha with BJP's support. "I have everyone's support," he quips.
In a self depreciating humour, Mr. Athawale says he is also like the common people who switch sides often. He also says people know him because he used to often protest in Lok Sabha. He also commends the Bill, but request Naresh Gujral to withdraw the Bill and says the government will cime up with a similar legislation.
Rakesh Sinha (Nominated) makes his maiden address. The new member is facing issues with his microphone. A fellow member is helping him. Mr. Sinha says Rajya Sabha members need not face elections so many question the existence of this House. The upper House reflects the issue faced outside the Parliament premises, he says.
We may even function for all the 365 days. But what if members disrupt everyday. Aren't we responsible for the disruptions we witnessed in the last three-four days, Mr. Sinha asks.
Rajya Sabha continues its deliberation on Naresh Gjural's Bil. D. Raja (CPI) says B.R. Ambedkar had a reason to reject Presidential form of government and two-party democracy. Democracy will die if Parliament doesn't function, he adds. The last faith for people is not judiciary, but Parliament, he adds.
There will be occasions where there will be uproars or agitations. There will be adjournments too, but that shouldn't mean we shouldn't work extra time, he says.
Kailash Soni (BJP) says he is the "youngest" member. He was elected just three months back. Quoting Dr. Rammanohar Lohia, Mr. Soni says as a parliamentarian we must be known by what laws we have helped in getting passed.
Vishambar Prasad Nishad (SP) rues the denigration of the Parliament. Instead of serious issues, we are taking issues to satisfy someone's ego. To highlight the importance of parliamentary democracy, Mr. Nishad narrates the story of Phulan Devi, a former dacoit who surrendered and later went on to become a lawmaker.
What is a Private Member Bill?
A bill moved by a member of parliament who is not part of the Cabinet is called a Private Member Bill.
The first time a Private Member's Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha was the one moved by DMK leader Tiruchi Siva. The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014, is pending in Lok Sabha.
The private member's bills are usually introduced on Fridays in both Houses of the Parliament. The Chair is usually liberal in allocating time for discussion for such bills.
Lok Sabha takes up Private Members Bills. As many as 100 such bills are listed to be introduced today.
The proposed Bills seek to abolidh death penalty, prohibit cow slaughter, population control, right to public services, provide menstruation benefits to women employees, compulsory career guidance, reservation for Kapus, provide compulsory first aid training to schoolchildren, among others.
In Lok Sabha, members object to the time extended for the Sports University Bill. They fear the time for private members' business will be curtailed. Deputy Speaker Thambi Durai says the timing can be extended if needed.
The Bill goes for voting.
N.K. Premachandran withdraws his statutory motion saying though he not happy with the Ordinance route, he is not pressing the issue since it pertains to sports.
The Bill goes for clause-by-clause voting.
Mr. Premachandran's amendments are rejected through voice vote.
The Bill is passed.
When an employee doesn't go to his office, he is liable for suspension but when the MPs don't visit Parliament, they are not liabile for any scrutiny, says Sanjay Singh of AAP. He says he supports Vijaisai Reddy's suggestion the members must be penalised for not attending session without giving proper reason.
Members want a division on the Bill. The Chair says he will decide after all speakers have spoken.
Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore continues his speech.
The Chancellor of the University will be an international player. The members will also comprise players.
The Ordinance was promulgated because the Budget Session could not be conducted.
Sports is a State Subject. The UPA government brought a Sports Code in 2011. It is a good initiative but many States haven't implemented it yet.
The Sports and Education Departments generally don't interact. The Universities conduct sports events, but they must concentrate on building sportsmanship too.
In Lok Sabha, Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore responds. He notes that most members who participated in the discussion were young parliamentarians. Sports is turning into a USD 80 billion industry in the world and it's high time we concentrate it now.
This Sports University will address every spectrum of sports including researc, administration, umpiring, training and many more. The Bill has provisions to establish offline campuses not only in other States but also in other countries, he says.
We have a tie-up with University of Canberra and the faculty will reside in Manipur and teach students, he adds.
AIADMK member praises DMK member
You read it right! AIADMK member Vijila Sathyananth praises DMK's Tiruchi Siva who brought a Private Member's Bill on recognising transgenders. A rare scenario, the Bill went for voting but lost in voice vote. When Mr. Siva insisted on division, it was then passed unanimously. This move prompted the government to bring a Bill on transgender welfare.
Ms. Sathyananth says the parliamentary committees too must be made more efficient. She says the committees must be televised. She also wants members to recruit research scholars.
Ashok Bajpai (BJP) also supports the Bill. He says smaller parties are not able to get more time even if it is about their own State's issue. He says new members and back benchers must also get adequate time to speak.
Vijaisai Reddy (YSRCP) says minimum number of workdays must be at least 120. He also says the linking of Rajya Sabha with Lok Sabha must be separated.
Prof. Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD) says the Parliament must have committed sessions on issues such as reservation.
Chhaya Verma says during Question Hour the members are not getting enough time to express their reservations if the answer is not satisfactory.
The salient features of The Parliament (Enhancement of Productivity) Bill, 2017:
Parliament must function for at least 100 days in a year.
There must be a special session in addition to regular Budget, Monsoon and Winter Session.
Time lost in disruptions must be compensated.
Time alloted to members must be based on issue and not party strength.
All States must get adequate representation to put forth their issues.
Naresh Gujaral (SAD) speaks on The Parliament (Enhancement of Productivity) Bill, 2017.
His Bill seeks to provide for the establishment of an effective system to prevent and address the decline in productivity of Parliament due to disruptions of sittings, by means of an appropriate legal framework to fix the minimum number of days in a year for which Parliament shall be in Sessions, introduction of special Session in addition to the existing three Sessions, compensation for the hours unutilised due to disruptions, and to provide obligations of the Presiding Officers of both Houses and the Members of Parliament and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto, be taken into consideration.
Jairam Ramesh (Congress) says he supports the Bill. There used to be a time when the Parliament met for 120 days. Now, the average is less than 70. Mr. Ramesh says one reason is the Standing Committee system. If the time spent on Standing Committees are also taken into account, this may come to 90 days.
Mr. Ramesh says unlike Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body with one-third members retiring every two years. The purpose of the upper House is for deliberations than discussion, he says. He suggests that even if Lok Sabha cannot meet for 100 days, let Rajya Sabha meet for 100 days. Mr. Ramesh says parliament should ideally begin at 10:00 am itself.
Dhanajay Mahadik (NCP) claims sports can be a cure for depression, it will enhance the mental strength of the youth. He says sporting talents must be identified as early as five-six years and must be given training.
He also says the allowance for players under SAI must be increased.
Rajya Sabha reconvenes. Private Member's Bills are taken up. Here is a partial list of Bills being moved today.
The Universal Health Insurance and Healthcare Coverage Bill, 2018.
The Illegal Immigrants (Identification and Deportation) Bill, 2018
The Information Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Bill, 2018
The Protection of Farmers Families Bill, 2018.
The Prevention of Contamination of Groundwater Bill, 2018
The Compulsory Yoga and Sports Education in Schools Bill, 2018.
Amendment to Criminal Laws to protect women in marriage.
Shirang Barne (Shiv Sena) says youngsters are interested in playing only on mobile phone these days. Mr. Barne says he was a former wrestler and says he know how difficult it is to get funding to pursue sporting interests.
M.B. Rajesh (CPI-M) points out the announcement for the University came in 2014, it took four years to bring a bill. He says in India, it's women who bring home everything, from vegetables to Olympic medals.
India is only Rs. 3 per head per capita for sports, he says. He also asks why a nodal centre has not been set up in Kerala, when the State is a gold mine of athletes.
Kailash Narayan Singh Deo (BJD) says sports needs to be looked at a way of diplomacy, health ans well-being. Mr. Deo recalls how India Pakistan matches brought both nations together. While he appreciates the university being set up in Manipur, he points out that the three nodal centres are in the north and the rest of the nation is ignored. Why not have a nodal centre in each state, he asks.
He lists out Odisha government's initiatives for atheletes. He says India has got only 28 medals in Olympics so far and we are to blame for it, not the sportspersons.
Mr. Deo is also a member of shooting federation. We have stifled sports area to govt and sports bodies, he says.
The government can come up with a code to adequately represent all sports in Doordarshan, he says.
He agrees with Anurag Thakur's suggestion that HRD Ministry must come up with scheme to increase sports facilities across India.
Mr. Deo also takes up the issue of sexual assault on sportswomen. He pitches for gender sensitisation in the area.
Prasun Banerjee (Trinamool Congress) speaks. Mr. Banerjee is a former footballer and an Arjuna awardee. He says he is happy that a former athlete and Olympian is heading the Sports Ministry.
He speaks in Bengali. Please increase the budget for budget. We can't win medals by eating roti, aloo and gobi. You are giving us money after winning medals. But how can we win medals without proper food, he asks.
Mr. Banerjee also seeks the government to make sports a compulsory subject in schools. He also says the country is concentrating only on cricket. Please look into other sports also, he adds.
He suggests government to choose six sports and focus on those players. This way we can get medals in global events, he says.
He blames the media for negative approach. We must be optimistic about our players, he says.
A.P. Jithender Reddy of the TRS says that his party supports the Bill and the Ministry’s initiative. He also congratulates Hima Das.
He says that from 1928-80, India won only eight Olympic gold medals. He goes on to say that India has one medal per 60 crore people. He says that India has the worst medal tally per capita.
He claims the funds allocated to sports federations are not properly used, sports people are neglected.
Congress Member Thokchom Meinya begins his speech by saying that the Congress is not in favour of any Ordinance. He says, though, the Bill is better late than never. He asks other Members to support the Bill.
He says Manipur organises Polo tournaments every year in Imphal. He asks that the Minister set up a Polo Institute under the National Sports University in Manipur.
AIADMK Member G. Hari says that when he was grosing up in a village in Thiruvallur, there were no sports amenities for students like him. He says Tamil Nadu has produced many sportspersons. He cites the example of Sathish Sivalingam, a Commonwealth gold-medal winner from his constituency, Arakkonam.
He also says that Tamil Nadu has always encouraged sportspersons, and speaks about the YMCA College of Physical Education.
Anurag Thakur says it's sportswomen who made the nation proud by winning medals in Olympics. He says more women are entering the sports field in the recent times.
Narrating the benefits of investing in sports, Mr. Thakur says Dharamshala developed as the cricket stadium started hosting more matches.
He asks if high-altitude training for athletics will be done in Himachal Pradesh.
He compares India’s sports market with that of the U.S. He asks what the government sees as India’s market share in the global market. Mr. Thakur asks how the Sports Ministry is going to bring up the standard of India’s athletes to global levels.
Mr. Thakur also asks what the government has done for specific sports like weightlifting.
Citing the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, he asks what Universities are doing to develop sportspersons. “Earlier, Universities used to provide sportspersons in all disciples, apart from cricket.”
He wants to know if the Sports Ministry has asked the HRD Ministry for information, and development of sportspersons in Navodaya Vidyalayas. He says medical colleges need sports and fitness centres.
Mr. Thakur asks the Minister what his five-year and 10-year plans are. He says India has the terrain for mountaineering, paragliding, skiing and canoeing, but no funds come from the government.
He says that students should not be asked to focus only on academics, but sports too.
Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore introduced the National Sports University Bill, 2018 on Wednesday. This is the sixth Bill tabled to replace ordinance during the monsoon session.
Mr. Rathore said the Ordinance was promulgated to ensure timely functioning of the University.
The Bill seeks to establish a National Sports University in Manipur. The foundation stone for the university was laid by the Prime Minister, it plans to run two courses.
No lunch break for Lok Sabha. The Speaker says Sports University Bill will be taken up after Zero Hour submissions.
Prahlad Joshi is in the Chair.
Anurag Thakur continues his speech. His speech was curtailed on Wednesday. He lauds the Sports Ministry to choose Manipur as the place for the University. He suggests former Army personnel and sportsperson in government PSUs can be roped in as coaches.
The University must be ties up to with all schools through a bicycle rim model . He also wants a comprehensive policy on sports.
He also wants to know the role of National Sports Federations in this University. He claims only one per cent of children are sports fit. We are fighting malnutrition and obesity among children. Sports will help in tackling this, he says.
Jose K. Mani (CPI-M) asks if women will be given preference in railway recruitments. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal says recruitments are gender neutral. He goes on to give a lengthy reply. The Chair says "rail should go only on the track," and asks the minister to restrict the reply only to the question.
Morning session of Rajya Sabha ends. To resume at 2:30 pm.
Lok Sabha proceeds with Zero Hour. Left member P. Karunankaran wants the quota of rice under Food Security Act be raised for Kerala.
Mallikharjun Kharge raises the issue of a private television editor quitting the channel and his subsequent remarks on Twitter. Communication Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore says the government has got nothing to do with the issue and the ministry has not sent any showcause notice to the said TV channel.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh responds. He says the members were received as per the protocol and they were informed about Section 144. He says the delegation members' 'unruly behaviour' even caused disruption to passengers in the airport.
The delegation wanted to go despite the police personnel requesting them not to go. The members were detained and subsequently sent back to Kolkata and Delhi the same day, Mr. Singh says.
Bijoya Chakravarty, BJP member representing Guwahati, says the situation is calm across Assam. Section 144 is imposed only as precaution. She claims the arrests had to be done since Trinamool members instigated it. Trinamool members protest.
She claims the Trinamool Congress is trying to disrupt the peace prevailing in Assam.
Gaurav Gogoi (Congress) says the people of Assam, especially the people left out in the list are showing exemplary courage and are helping in maintaining peace in the State.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress) says the Assamese and Bengalis are living together for several decades. This unity must not be harmed, he says.
Naba Hira Kumar Sarania, member from Kokrajhar says over 3 lakh names have been left out in his constituency.
Trinamool Congress member Kalyan Banerjee at Lok Sabha on Friday.
After members made submissions on issues that can be taken up in the next week, Lok Sabha takes up Zero Hour submissions.
Kalyan Banerjee (Trinamool Congress) raises the issue of 40 lakh people left out in the NRC draft. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar says the Home Minister has sought a report and it will be submitted in the House. He requests the members to help the House run smoothly.
Mr. Banerjee further raises the issue of arrest of party MPs in Assam. Mr. Banerjee claims the arrest was made due to directives issued by Supreme Court appointed authority. He says women MPs were manhandled and it was telecasted in every channel. He says it is a breach of privilege of parliamentarians. Is this not an undeclared emergency, he asks.
After seeing the united force of Opposition, are you nervous, Mr. Banerjee asks the government.
We expected the Home Minister to make a statement soon after the arrest yesterday, but nothing of that sort has happened so far, he says.
It's Question Hour on Rajya Sabha. Binoy Viswom (CPI) says Aadhaar has become Niraadhaar. The Chair recalls it was his statement and goes on to say it should become Janaadhaar. Mr. Viswom wants to know government's stand on Srikrishna Committee report on data privacy.
Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad says the government has given Aadhaar to Aadhaar by enacting a law. The Committee report is only a draft, the government will consider it once it's officially submitted, he adds.
An Assam member asks why Aadhaar enrolment was stopped in his State. Mr. Prasad says it was due to NRC and will resume once the exercise is over.
Anand Sharma asks about TRAI Chairman's "dare." The Minister says TRAI has already issued a statement. The core biometrics, fingerprints and iris were never breached, he asserts.
Trinamool Congress member Idris Ali being taken in an ambulance on Thursday.
Meanwhile in Lok Sabha, the House witnessed a brief adjournment for 10 minutes due to protests by Trinamool members.
Trinamool member Idris Ali was seen taken in ambulance after he complained uneasiness. He returned to the House after getting medical support.
Even as the House reconvened, sloganeering continues. Speaker completes Question Hour proceedings amind sloganeering.
Swapandas Gupta (Nominated) says those left out in the list may be economic migrants. But many of them may be refugees. What is the government's policy on refugee? The non-Indians must not get voting rights, he adds.
Anand Sharma (Congress) asks if government proposes to create camps to help these people left-out in the list. Mr. Rijiu earlier said only 2.4 lakh are in D-voters list. Is this true? The NRC is Assam-specific. Will it be done in other States too?
Ghulam Nabi Azad (Leader of Opposition) says it appears that many genuine Indians were left out despite producing proofs. It is dichotomy when Home Minister says the process in fair and transparent.
The Chair requests the Home Minister to reply the questions of all speakers in writing.
Derek O'Brien (Trinamool) says the government is indulging in double-speak. While the Home Minister has a version, while the BJP's president has another version. He also says the issue is not limited to Assam as well.
Who is spreading the communal disharmony, he asks. If everything is peaceful in Assam why Section 144 is imposed, he asks.
He wants to know if the Home Minister accepts statements made by his party leaders.
If there are 16 documents needed to prove citizenship, a senior person must prove his educational qualification, Mr. O'Brein says.
Prof. Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD) says the over 40 lakh people are unfairly living with the tag "immigrants". They need some hand-holding, he says.
Majeed Memon (NCP) says what will be the fate of the people left out from the final list, since Bangladesh has already said they won't take them back.
Javed Ali Khan (SP) points out that some prominent names have also been left out from the list. If the list is only draft, how can the media and some leaders call them immigrants, he asks.
Vijila Sathyananth (AIADMK) wants the modalities to verify citizenship to be changed.
D. Raja (CPI) wants to know if the time-limit be extended and no action must be taken on those left oft from the list.
Rangarajan (CPI-M) wants an all party meet on the issue.
Bhubaneswar Kalita, another Assam member, speaks. Will the government provide legal assistance to the poor people who have been left out of the draft NRC, he asks. Recalling a bilateral meet between India and Bangladesh, Mr. Kalita says when both nations repeatedly say the border is secure, was the issue taken up with Bangladesh, he asks.
'Simplify the guidelines'
Ripun Bora, Congress member from Assam, thanks the Minister for telling the House that Congress was supporting the exercise. There should be urgent requirement to the modification of children, he says. Many women's names have been dropped because they couldn't produce linkage certificate.
There are many children in the left out list. Many children don't have birth certificate due to illiteracy, he claims. He requests all states to quickly give linkage certificates keeping in mind the urgency of the situation.
Please modify and simplify the guidelines and also extend the time for submission, he requests.
'No one will be subject to harassment'
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh makes a statement on Assam NRC in Rajya Sabha on Friday.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh makes a statement on draft NRC list. The draft released on Monday is not a final one, it was only a draft, says Mr. Singh and goes on to explain the reason for taking up the exercise.
The list has the names of Assam people and their off springs who have been living in the State before 1972. Non-Assamese but Indians citizens living in Assam have also been added to the list, provided they have proof. All genuine Indian citizens will be added to the list. There is no bias in preparing the list, he asserts.
All those have left-out in the draft will get chance to appeal and produce documents. Even after the final NRC, people can approach the foreigners tribunal. There will not be any coercive action against those left out in the list, he says.
He blames "vested interests" to use this issue to create communal disharmony. The issue is related to the country's national security, he says.
Responding to Sukhendu Shekar Roy's query on the status of citizens living in Assam but belong to elsewhere, Mr. Singh says proof of citizenship is adequate to be added to the list. No Indian citizen will be left out, he repeatedly says.
The NRC is a constitutionally-backed exercise, he says and adds the process in fair and transparent.
In Rajya Sabha, Trinamool Congress floor leader raises the issue. Two members Sukhendu Shekar Roy and Nadimul Haque were arrested in Assam on Thursday.
The Chair says he has taken note of it and have sought report.
Trinamool Congress members are raising slogans against the draft NRC list released in Assam on Monday. Four of their party members from Lok Sabha were detained in Silchar Airport on Thursday. They were part of a TMC delegation to check the ground status in Assam after the release of draft NRC list. Though Speaker is proceeding with the Question Hour, the sloganeering too continues.
Ram Charitra Nishad (BJP) poses a question on dust pollution. Opposition members raise some issues. Both Mr. Nishad's question and members' arguments are not audible. The Speaker pauses Mr. Nishad and requests members to go back to the seat.
Mr. Nishad asks if government is taking any steps to tackle air pollution. Environment Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan lists out various initiatives like air pollution monitoring, higher pollution emission standards, etc. We are in the process of getting home-grown data on pollution for effectively tackling pollution, he says.
Both Houses convene.
In Lok Sabha, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan is in the Chair. She proceeds with Question Hour.
In Rajya Sabha Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu read obituary reference of former member Bishma Narayan Singh.
Private Members business
As many as 16 Private Member's Bills are waiting to be tabled in Rajya Sabha today. This includes two Constitutional Amendments as well.
These Bills propose abolition of death penalty, compulsory yoga and sports education in schools, deportation of illegal migrants, and universal health coverage among others.
The Lok Sabha has more than 120 Private Member's Bills waiting to be tabled. This includes introduction of Brain Drain Cess, setting up a Permanent Orissa High Court Bench at Balasore, compulsory rainwater harvesting, tackling fluoride contamination, Right to Public Services, Menstruation Benefits and Prevention of Begging among others.
TDP member Maganti Venkateswara Rao gearing up for a protest seeking special category status to Andhra Pradesh.
