Parliament updates live | Rajya Sabha passes Constitution 124th Amendment Bill

The Bill provides 10% reservation to general category poor in jobs and education.

January 09, 2019 10:53 am | Updated 10:48 pm IST

The tally of the voting on the 124th Constitutional Amendment Bill in Rajya Sabha on January 9, 2019. Photo: RSTV

The tally of the voting on the 124th Constitutional Amendment Bill in Rajya Sabha on January 9, 2019. Photo: RSTV

Winter Session in Rajya Sabha has been extended by a day till January 9, for the House passed the the Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Introduced by Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot, it was cleared by majority of the members (319) voting for it in Lok Sabha, and four against. The Bill allows 10% quota in employment and education for the general category candidates who belong to the economically weaker sections.

The Hindu Explains: The new 10% quota, its implications, and more

 

Here are the latest updates:

The Bill is now put to vote. Chair announces Ayes have it. Lobbies cleared for division.

Chair announces passage of the 124th Constitution Amendment Bill. Ayes 149, Noes 7.

 

Clause by clause consideration. 

Clause 2 is adopted.  

K.K. Ragesh's amendment to provide reservation is private sector is negatived.

Javed Ali Khan moves his amendment to provide reservation is private sector too is negatived.

Subbarami Reddy won't move his amendment.

T.K. Rangarajan's amendment to provide reservation is negatived by voice vote.. Mr. Rangarajan wants  division. Display says his move was negatived by 150 to 11 votes.

Clause 3 put to vote. Adopted by 161 Ayes to 7 Noes. 

Clause 3 adopted.

Clause 1 is put to vote. Adopted by 156 Ayes to 9 Noes.

Clause 1 is adopted.

Minister Gehlot proposes to pass the amended Bill.

Bill is adopted by 165 votes to 7. Chair announces the passage of 124th Constitution Amendment Bill as amended.

Special mentions.

Chair is now giving stock of the winter session, which he says paints a sorry picture due to dispruptions.

Vande Matarm.

Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die. Winter Session of Parliament comes to an end.

Kanimozhi, T.K. Rangarajan et al.’s amendment to refer the Bill to a select committee is put to vote. Mr. Rangarajan presses for a select commitee. Ms. Kanimozhi presses for division as Chair says the amendment was negatived by a voice vote.

Lobbies being cleared. 

Rajya Sabha Secretary General explains the procedure. 

Voting procedure has started. 

According to the display the vote has been negatived. Chair announces the result Ayes 18, Noes 155.

Rajya Sabha negatives DMK member Kanimozhi’s amendment to send the 124th Constitution Amendment Bill to a select committee. Photo: RSTV

Rajya Sabha negatives DMK member Kanimozhi’s amendment to send the 124th Constitution Amendment Bill to a select committee. Photo: RSTV

 

 

Minister T.C. Gehlot has been called to reply. Loud protests from those who didn't get a chance to speak. Despite being an OBC, Narendra Modi wants to give reservation to savarnas, he says. Existing SC/ST, OBC quota won't be disturbed, he adds.  Supreme Court would approve the Constitutional Amendment, he says.

Mr. Gehlot says if women can be given reservation just for being women, why not on the basis of income.  Prompted by the Chair that the Minister concludes the speech.

 

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale begins his speech in his usual way with his poems. And the Treasury benches are in splits.  He says to win elections one should do whatever is needed. You too do that, he tells the Congress benches. He keeps the govt benches enterntained. 

Ramdas Athawale, MoS Social Justice and Empowerment, speaks in the Rajya Sabha on January 9, 2019. Photo: RSTV

Ramdas Athawale, MoS Social Justice and Empowerment, speaks in the Rajya Sabha on January 9, 2019. Photo: RSTV

 

Mr. Athawale refuses to yield and other speaker is called.

 

T.G. Venkatesh (TDP, A.P.) is called to speak, as a loud verbal duel goes on in the background.

Next speaker is called. Jose K. Mani (KC(M), Kerala) says this bill would do away with reservation stigma.  Like many others, he questions the timing of the introduction of the Bill. 

G.V.L. Narasimha Rao (BJP, U.P.) says poor people see a real mahapurush, a real mahatma in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The numbers don't lie, he adds.   

Next speaker is Ahmed Patel (Congress, Gujarat) . He quotes a question asked in the Lok Sabha about the data on the economically backward, and says the government responded with there's no such data. He concludes saying this govt's way of functioning is what the left hand does is not known to the right hand.

 

Ritabarta Banerje (Independent, West Bengal) says reality is job loss and unemployment. Quotes Mr. Modi's pakoda selling remark.

 

Amar Singh(Independent, U.P.) says those who are saying the Bill is bad why do they are voting for it?  Mandal benefits haven't trickled down even to the most backward, he adds.

Sanjay Singh (AAP, NCR) says it's a historic moment and if the Bill passes then it will make way for the designs of the RSS which never made a Dalit as its chief.

Chair insists on his concluding. Mr. Singh is made to conclude.

Rakesh Sinha (Nominated) is called to speak. People should remember how long did this House too in 1976 to discuss an amendment to the words Socialist and Secular in the Preamble, he says adding Congress should apologise for it. 

Chair calls next speaker as Mr. Sinha fails to conclude.

Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar (TDP, A.P.) says the govt should not take it for granted with our support, but our objections should be considered. He makes case for Kapu reservation.

Next speaker called.

Husain Dalwai (Congress, Maharashtra) says he's happy that BJP, which for its entire lifetime talked against quota, has to be made to bring in a reservation legislation. He says very few people talked about reservation for Muslims. There should be no comparison between Dalits and Brahmins, he says adding even though a Dalit could be richer than a Brahmin, the Dalit is poorer than the Brahmin in social status.

Chair calls next speaker.

Abdul Wahab (IUML, Kerala) says the Amendment is brutal and draconian. The SP and BSP are the culprits, he quips. "If you people made a coalition day after tomorrow, this Bill wouldn't have come.

 

Rajya Sabha | 8.33 p.m.

P.L. Punia (Congress, U.P.) rises to speak in support of the Bill. The BJP-led govt has taken inspiration from manifesto promise, he says. He raises the issue raised by Ms. Selja on the SC candidates who excel in general category being pushed into reservation category.

Deputy Chairman requests members to conclude speech in three minutes. Loud protest. But Chair insists as voting has to be taken up at 9 p.m.

Rajya Sabha | 8.24 p.m.

D. Raja (CPI, T.N.) is called to speak. Chair gives him only 5 minutes. Mr. Raja protests and starts his speech.

“The way this Bill is brought must concern every citizen of the country,” he says. “The attitude of the govt is to undermine the Constitution, and Parliament.”

CPI member D. Raja speaks in the Rajya Sabha on January 9, 2019. Photo: RSTV

CPI member D. Raja speaks in the Rajya Sabha on January 9, 2019. Photo: RSTV

 

Reservation based on income is against the legislative intent of the Constituent Assembly, he says.

“You back all corporate houses and I'm asking you, do you have the courage bring in reservation in private sector,” says Mr. Raja.  And he concludes with his demand that the Bill should go to a select committee.

 

Rajya Sabha | 8.20 p.m.

Ajay Pratap Singh (BJP, M.P.) rises to speak on the Bill and launches an elaborate history of the reservation movement.   He terms the 10% quota is a timely decision

Chair tells him to conclude as Mr. Singh starts telling the virtues of the Narendra Modi government, saying that the timing need not be questioned as the govt is for five years and any measure can be brought in at any point of time in the five years.

Rajya Sabha | 8.10 p.m.

Kumari Selja (Congress, Haryana) asks the govt on the quota-based promotions. “This will become acute after this 10% also come in.”

And instead of making out of context talk, the one reservation the govt needs to talk is the women's reservation, she says. The hasty Amendment is part of a nefarious agenda of the RSS to finish off reservation, she adds.

 

 

Rajya Sabha | 7.45 p.m.

Praful Patel (NCP, Maharashtra) calls the legislation hasty, says the full effect of this will be seen only after the polls. Cites the protest seeking change of Marathwada University's name after Ambedkar, and the then CM Sharad Pawar's decision to name the university after Ambedkar despite strong reservations from savarna castes.

Rajya Sabha | 7.15 p.m.

Ram Vilas Paswan says the Bill is for people earning from ₹8 to ₹8 lakh. He says this Bill is a step in the government’s ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ plan.

 

Satish Chandra Misra of the BSP says he supports the Bill, but he says the protection is not for the poor of the upper castes. He says there is a provision that lets States decide, and that the government hcome in, how it will be framed, etc.

“Even Ministers came to know about the Bill only in the Cabinet,” he alleges.  “You should being in reservation for minorities too.”

BSP member Satish Chandra Misra speaks in the Rajya Sabha on January 9, 2019. Photo: RSTV

BSP member Satish Chandra Misra speaks in the Rajya Sabha on January 9, 2019. Photo: RSTV

 

He adds: “What you people have brought in is a fraud on the Constitution and a fraud of the poor among upper castes.”

“When there are no jobs at all, Ministers are talking of jobs for crores of beneficiries. Please don't try to fool them. After 100 days, they will give their answer,” he says while saying that the BSP supports the Bill despite all this negatives.

 

 

Rajya Sabha | 6.55 p.m.

Sukhendu Sekhar Roy of the Trinamool Congress , says he only needs clarification on the Bill. He says nowhere in the Constitution has 'economically weaker section' been defined. He says the explanation given in the Bill has been imported into the Constitution.

C.M. Ramesh of the TDP speaks next. he says Ministers also didn't know that the Bill is coming. Then, he says he supports the Bill.

Naresh Gujral of the SAD says all those who are disadvantaged should be dealt a fair hand. He also says there are no jobs. He says India is losing jobs in tourism and garments to other countries.

 

Rajya Sabha | 6.20 p.m.

Kapil Sibal (Congress, U.P.) says there are three hurdles the Bill has to face. First hurdle is complete absence of mind. Second is the Constitutionality. And then comes the hurdle of implementation.

Mr. Sibal too asks about the the data based on which the 10% and the Rs. 8 lakh limit decision was arrived at.  

Only 45,000 jobs have been added in the last five years. That means only 4,500 jobs will be given to the 10% beneficiaries, he says. “Are you amending the Constitution for 4,500 jobs?”

“While this country is losing jobs, which jobs are you going to ensure?

Congress leader Kapil Sibal speaks in the Rajya Sabha on January 9, 2019. Photo: RSTV

Congress leader Kapil Sibal speaks in the Rajya Sabha on January 9, 2019. Photo: RSTV

 

“Reservation needs jobs. Jobs need economic growth. And the economic growth is not happening. And this Amendment is being brought for what?”

Mr. Sibal changes to rhetoric. “Are we supposed discuss the Constitution with intention of benefit and loss,” he asks. “Is it the responsibility with which this House we have been conferred with?”

“You are moving away from classes to sections, ” he says adding that a Dalit community member earning Rs. 15,000 a month is not a weaker section under this Amendment.

Mr. Prasad is agitated says Rs.5,000 comes under Rs. 8 lakh.

Mr. Sibal continues. Vocal opposition from the Treasury benches.

Amit Shah rises. Sibal says he is not yielding. HRD Minister points out there are no economic limits for SC/ST and the for the OBC it is Rs. 8 lakh.

Treasury benches indulges protest. Despite request from Chair, Mr. Javadekar continues to speak. 

Mr. Sibal continues. Protest is on. Chair struggles to quieten them, asks Mr. Sibal to continue.

A SC/ST and OBC person who is still economically weaker is excluded from the 10%. That's the point, Mr. Sibal says. 

Mr. Sibal now moves to the Constitutionality of the law. “If a 9-judge bench has ruled against 10% reservation for ‘Economically Backward’, how can this pass judiciary's hurdle?”

Smriti Irani asks Mr. Sibal: “So you are not supporting reservation for economically backward people? Why don't you declare?”

Mr. Sibal says: “Only 76 lakh are above Rs. 8 lakh per annum bracket. In that 75% are govt employees. So only about 21 lakh are above the Rs. 5 lakh bracket. How would you decide the beneficiaries. So during implementation you will give it to your people on the basis of duplicate certificates. ...there's no mechanism to ascertain income proof.”

He asks: “When 100% of the people are covered, to whom are you going to give this 10%”

This is kamal ka hamla ek aur jumla, he adds. He then reads out the preamble to the Consitution. He says the government is silent about Dalits being lynched and then speaks of protection. He says when majorities rule the country, they think they are repositories of power from God.

 

Rajya Sabha | 5.54 p.m.

Law Minister Ravishankar Prasad rises to speak. Says except Kanimozhi every speaker has supported the measure. “I don't know whether Derek O’ Brien has supported or not.”

“There was mention of Nehru. Along with him I wished role of other people like Azad too were talked about,” he says.

The Minister says reservation does not come under the Basic Structure of the Constitution.

A request has been made to extend the time of the House till the business is concluded.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad speaks in the Rajya Sabha on january 9, 2019. Photo: RSTV

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad speaks in the Rajya Sabha on january 9, 2019. Photo: RSTV

 

Our party has promoted several people from the backward classes as Chief Ministers in several States, he says.

Citing a report, he poses a question to the Congress: “Who stopped you from such a measure in 2010?”

“There are people from the Other Communities who are poor. Aren't they supposed to get their chance,” he says.

“We have come late, I agree. But better late than never,” he says while opposing those who said ‘we support the Bill, but...'

“This is is historic moment, why don't you support it? I don't understand this if and but.”

He then turns his attention to Swach Bharat and how it helped women. And then talks about the extension of maternity leave. “It benefited every section of women,” he adds. 

And moves on to Digital India. Wild protests. Point of Order.  Irrelevance and repetition, says Prof. Jha.  Minister retorts saying: “if I talk this it's irrelevant, if Opposition talks it's relevant. Which rule book allows this?”

Reels out industrial growth numbers to ask the Opposition whether jobs have been created or not. 

“We are being asked why now? If not now, when, I would say. Narendra Modi govt had the courage to bring it,” Mr. Prasad says. "To answer in Derk O’ Brien’s cricket language, I would like to say this is the first sixer. And quite a lot of sixer are on the way. When elections come, people will return the BJP-led NDA with full majority,” he says concluding his speech. 

 

Rajya Sabha | 5.38 p.m.

Kanimozhi (DMK, TN) rises to speak against the Bill. It has been brought in to wrong a right and quotes Ambedkar. "I come from the land of Periyar. It was the first State to pass the first communal GO."

Former TN CM M. Karunanidhi was the first to bring a backward class commission, she says.

Quota is not economics, it's their right, she says citing the two tumbler system in certain parts of the country. Workplaces are not free of such discrimination, she said.

While denying reservation to Dalit Christians and Muslims, the government has found a new found fondness towards Muslim women, she says. "If you have real concern bring in quota and empower those women.”

DMK member Kanimozhi speaks during a debate on quota Bill in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

DMK member Kanimozhi speaks during a debate on quota Bill in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

 

While not setting right the educational loans, what sort of help are you extending to the economically backward, she asks.

Chair says she need to conclude, but she protests saying that she was one of the very few voices opposing the Bill. Ms. Kanimozhi gets support from MPs T.K. Rangarajan and Jaya Bachchan.

Ms. Kanimozhi says the first PM Jawaharlal Nehru brought in the first Amendment he expressly excluded the word "economic".

She asks what data does the government to justify the 10%. “Where there any scientific study done to justify this 10%?”

Farmers are even struggling today, the PM did not find time to meet them. While such issues are there, how would you fix the economic criterion, she says.

What is the urgency, the only thing I can see there are elections in 100 days.

Chair reminds her in Hindi. Ms. Kanimozhi retorts saying "Sir, can you talk to me in a language I can understand."

Chair switches to English and tells her to conclude. 

She says first implement the existing quota and then move to the next step.

After repeated reminders, she concludes and wants the Bill sent to a select committee. And wants voting on a motion brought in by her party.

 

Rajya Sabha | 5.15 p.m.

Dr. Narendra Jadhav (nominated) says reservation is needed due to our system’s inability to be fair and equitable.

Anil Desai (Shiv Sena, Maharashtra) says the Bill is better though it came late. He says there should be clarification about the beneficiary of the quota in subsequent generations. The Minister should enlighten the House on this point.  In these times of job scarcity due to the onslaught of measures like demonetisation, he says, unless the issue of unemployment is not addressed the legislation would only remain in paper. And most importantly would this legislation stand judicial scrutiny, he asks. Mr. Desai also raises the Maratha quota law and the demands of the Dhangar (shepherd) community of Maharashtra.

Rajya Sabha | 5.15 p.m.

Manoj Kumar Jha of the RJD rises to make his speech in Parliament. He asks how the government defines backwardness. He says the Bill is not constitutionally tenable. “This government runs on WhatsApp.”

Rajya Sabha | 5 p.m.

Elamaram Kareem of the CPI(M) calls the Bill an electoral ploy and says it comes without any consultations. “A two-day countrywide strike of workers is demanding a guaranteed minimum wage. But that is not agreed upon. Even then, those workers who are earning a lesser amount will not be entitled to receive reservation under this Bill. The Modi government has not done anything about reservation until now. Instead of generating employment, existing jobs have been lost.”

More than one crore jobs have been lost due to demonetisation, he says. He says existing quota for SC/STs have not been filled up. He says the government is aggressively pursuing neoliberal policies and keeping the private sector out of its purview.

Y.S. Chowdary (TDP) points the irony in bringing the Bill at the fag end of the session, by extending the session. The Andhra Assembly too recommended reservation for Kapus. We don't know what is the fate of it. The Treasury Bench is trying to bulldoze Bills, he adds.

The criteria for economic bacward category is confusing, he adds. He suggests the Bill must be referred to a Select Committee.

Prakash Banda of the TRS speaks in support of the Bill in Telugu. He says students belonging to the economically backward classes have been receiving scholarships from the Telangana government. He says caste-based reservation should have clear cut directives. TRS is proposing some amendments to the Bill.

Ram Chandra Prasad Singh (JD-U) says his party supports the Bill. Bhubaneswar Kalita is in the Chair.

Mr. Singh narrates several initiatives taken up for rdevelopment. He says there are reservations for Maha Dalits. There is no discrimination in all development schemes, he adds. He claims this Bill will eradicate the sense of deprivation among a section of people and stigma on reservation will go away.

Mr. Singh pitches for an Indian Judiciary Services Commission and reservation in judiciary.

Prasanna Acharya (BJD) says just like a sick patient is given oxygen, the government hopes to get some life with this Bill. However, he says the BJD supports the Bill.

He recalls the anti-Mandal Commission protests. Biju Patnaik met the protesting students and said "the poor don't have a caste." This ended the protests, he recalls. 

He reiterates AIADMK member's question if the House is competent to make such a law.

You promised two crore jobs every year. You are not even providing two lakh jobs, Mr. Acharya says. 

He points at the double standards of the Congress and the BJP on Sabarimala. He condemns the purification of temple after two women entered the shrine.

He recalls his two girl classmates in school. One was the daughter of a minister and an OBC, while the other was the daughter of peon and from a forward class. He recalls the latter was unhappy and cried when the other girl was granted free textbooks but she had to pay for it.  Unless we do away with double standards, we can't see development, he adds.

Derek O'Brien (Trinamool Congress) says the law making process is being violated. We are disgusted and angry that the parliamentary process is disrespected.

This Bill is a betrayal to the unemployed and poor, he says.  65-70 per cent Bills were earlier sent to parliament scrutiny, today four out of five bills are passed without scrutiny, he says.

He quotes Arun Jaitley's speech in December 2017 and says quota beyond 50 per cent is impossible. 

Is the new poverty line Rs. 2100 per day, Mr. O'Brien asks since the Bill says Rs. 8 lakh will be the slab. "This scheme is cheat India," Mr. O'Brien says. On one hand, jobs have lost, but NationwithNamo is hiring people. "So if you don't have a job, you can become a troll,"he says.

Trinamool Congress doesn't need the Women's Bill, we have already implemented it, he adds.

Mr. O'Brien quotes a speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi he made in 2013, when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. "If there are job opportunities, why would people ask for reservation. We have to move from a system of scarcity to a system of plenty," Mr. O'Brien reads Mr. Modi's answer on reservation.

10 per cent of zero is zero. Coming soon will be a coalition government with a common minimum programme. Right now is a single party government with a confused maximum programme., he ends his speech.

Where is the data to justify 10 per cent quota, Navaneethakrishnan asks

A. Navaneethakrishnan (AIADMK) opposes the Bill. He recalls the contribution of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in bringing 69 per cent reservation in the State. Quoting a Supreme Court judgment, he says the economic-reservation is unsustainable and illegal.

Reservation is only for those who faced discrimination historically, he says. The concept of reservation can be applied to a community or class, but the proposed Bill is for individuals, he points out.

India is still a poor country, despite high economic growth. Economics cannot be a criteria for reservation, he adds.

Mr. Navaneethakrishnan explains the rationale behind the 69 per cent reservation followed in the State. He says this additional 10 per cent will encroach the rights of people of Tamil Nadu.

We had quantifiable data to justify our reservation. What data do you have, he asks the government.

Does the Parliament have the legislative competence to bring such a Bill, he asks. The scope of the Constitution is to bring legislation on reservation for socially and educationally backward. He reads out a portion of SC judgment to prove his point.

The Parliament cannot pass any law that violates the basic structure of the Constitution, he observes.  AIADMK walks out.

 

Does outsourcing come under reservation, Ram Gopal Yadav asks

Samajwadi Party member Ram Gopal Yadav during a debate on quota Bill in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Samajwadi Party member Ram Gopal Yadav during a debate on quota Bill in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

 

Ramgopal Yadav (SP) says his party supports the Bill. Mr. Yadav says discrimination has perforated deep into the society. It might have come down today, but still exists, he says quoting the discrimination faced by B.R. Ambedkar and Babu Jagjeevan Ram. He recalls how the Chief Minister's residence in Uttar Pradesh was 'purified.'

Taking a dig at the government, that brought several key bills as Money Bill to bypass the Rajya Sabha, Mr. Yadav says, you could have brought it earlier as a 'money bill'.

Quoting Prabhat Jha's speech, Mr. Yadav asks why only 10 per cent reservation for the 98% deserved people. He claims in Public Service Commission, the Dalit and other reserved category candidates even if they score more than the cut-off of general category, they are admitted in the respective quotas.

Amit Shah intervenes. He reminds Mr. Yadav's party wanted reservation for Muslims. Mr. Yadav retorts we spoke about other reservations too.

Mr. Yadav seeks to know from the Minister if the conditions of the reserved category have really improved.  He wants to know how many Dalits are Class 1 employees today. He lists out the low diversity in government-run institutions.  He points out in the media industry, only 3 per cent belong to Dalits.

Does outsourcing come under reservation, Ram Gopal Yadav asks pointing out that most jobs are being outsourced these days.

Mr. Yadav seeks to increase the reservation of OBCs to 54 per cent., based on their population.

Reconvene Lok Sabha and pass women's reservation Bill: Anand Sharma

Congress member Anand Sharma during a debate on quota Bill in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Congress member Anand Sharma during a debate on quota Bill in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

 

Anand Sharma (Congress) is the next Speaker. Before entering the debate, we must know the history of reservation. The Constitutional Assembly thought those who were historically disadvantaged, been deprived of their rights, must be uplifted and thus reservation was given to the SC/ST.

He refutes BJP's claim that such a Bill is being brought for the first time. He reminds the Treasury Bench that attempts were made twice, but they were struck down by the Supreme Court.

Mr. Sharma says he has reservations about the manner in which the Bill was brought to the Parliament. Mr. Sharma claims the BJP government took the decision to introduce such a Bill after it lost the recently concluded five State elections.

Mr. Sharma claims 11 million jobs were lost in the last four years. When there are no jobs, how will you provide reservation in jobs, he asks.  Mr. Sharma points out that the job availability in PSUs have come down.

The tendency of the government to disrespect the Parliament and bypass the scrutiny of law, I deplore it, Mr. Sharma says.  A debate on reservation was possible in the fifties, even among people who were against reservation. Today, a Bill is being passed within a day, he observes.

Mr. Sharma questions why the government is not passing the Women's Reservation Bill. He dares the government to reconvene the Lok Sabha and pass the women's Bill.  He reminds the BJP that the women's Bill was part of their manifesto.

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T.K.S. Elangovan (DMK) gives notice to adjournment motion, claiming the Bill was hurriedly introduced. The Chair says the Chairman has not given permission for the same.

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Prabhat Jha (BJP) continues his speech. He says the Bill was passed in Lok Sabha with overwhelming majority and hopes the Bill will be passed the same way in the upper House too.  He makes some remarks on Rahul Gandhi. Congress members want those remarks to be expunged. Mr. Gandhi is a member of Lok Sabha, and the House rules don't permit taking names of people who are not part of the House.

Mr. Jha continues. He cities newspaper reports on the quota Bill. He claims every political party had mentioned affirmative action in their election manifesto.  Quoting the income tax data, he claims 98 per cent of population are poor.

m

DMK member Kanimozhi had moved a motion seeking the quota Bill be sent to a Select Committee. She also sought a division. The Chair says as a practice both the Bill and motion are debated together. He cites earlier instances.  Accordingly, her motion will be put to vote after the discussion is over, the Chair rules.

MoS Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel says the Home Minister will respond to questions during the discussion on Citizenship Amendment Bill.

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Govt committed to preserving the identity of the northeast: Rajnath Singh

Home Minister Rajnath Singh makes a statement on northeastern region, in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh makes a statement on northeastern region, in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

 

Rajya Sabha reconvenes. Home Minister Rajnath Singh presents a statement on the situation in northeastern States. The Minister said violence were reported in parts of Assam, Meghalaya and other northeastern States over the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The situation is under control now, he adds.

He says the government is concerned about the welfare and security of the northeastern region. He lists out the steps taken to beef up the security in the border.

Mr. Singh claims a number of misinformation has been spread on the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The Bill was introduced to help religious minority in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who have faced religious persecution.

He says the Bill is not confined to Assam alone, but the entire country.  Assam is affected by illegal immigration for years, he adds.

We respect the Assam Accord and the interests and culture of the Assamese population will be protected, he assures the House. He also says six Assam tribes will be added to the Scheduled Tribes list. At the same time, the interests, privilege and rights of existing tribes in Assam will be protected.

He lists out the various schemes proposed for the Bodos. A new land policy and new land laws will also come up, he adds.

We are committed to protect the identity and culture of northeastern States, he says. He also says the border security has been tightened to check illegal migration.

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Prabhat Jha (BJP) speaks in favour of the quota Bill.  He recalls his savarna classmates yearning for a reservation so that they could be uplifted. He says only those who don't understand the plight of people, oppose the Bill.

House is adjourned till 2 pm.

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T.K. Rangarajan (CPI-M) questions if the Rs. 8 lakh cap is absurd. He points a number of holes in the Bill, says the States' approval is also needed. He wants the Bill to be sent to the Select Committee.

Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD) says this move is vote-bank politics. He says the Parliamentary Affairs Minister made sweeping statements against Opposition and they are indiscriminatory.

Ripun Bora (Congress) says the Rajya Sabha TV is not showing the Opposition protests.

Kanimozhi (DMK) insists on a division on her motion.

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The DMK, CPI (M), CPI, TDP, RJD, JD(S), AAP and Congress sign a petition to move the legislation granting 10 percent quota for economically backward among the forward caste to Select Committee.

D. Raja (CPI) says Kanimozhi's motion must be discussed first.  Ms. Kanimozhi insists on a division now.

Thaawarchand Gehlot continues his speech. Opposition members object to it.

Mr. Gehlot says even the Mandal Commission had recommended affirmative action to the poor, a number of Private Members Bills sought such a reservation. Opposition members shout slogans.

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Union Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot introduces the quota Bill in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Union Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot introduces the quota Bill in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

 

Amid ruckus, Thaawarchand Gehlot introduces the quota Bill. He says 10 per cent reservation will be given to the poor people in the unreserved category. The Article 15 and 16 of the Constitution are being amended for this purpose. The States and the Union government will decide the definition of economically deprived time to time. He says the reservation will not affect the existing structure of caste-based reservation.

Madhusudhan Mistry (Congress) says the Bill is incomplete and it was brought in just today. There must be at least two days time to have a debate after the introduction. He seeks in writing the reason for the urgency to pass the Bill.

Vijay Goel accuses Congress of blocking an important Bill on flimsy technical grounds.  Anand Sharma says Congress party is for granting reservation to the poor, but the parliamentary process is also of supreme importance.  Mr. Sharma notes that the time for discussion is not mentioned in the Business Advisory Committee.

Rajya Sabha | 12:05 p m

Members troop into the Well protesting against the government, in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Members troop into the Well protesting against the government, in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

 

The 124th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2019 is introduced in Rajya Sabha. DMK member Kanimozhi moves a motion to refer the Bill to a Select Committee.

Minister of Social Justice, Thaawarchand Gehlot says it is an important Bill. Just like how those who are socially disadvantaged are benefitted by reservation, the economically disadvantaged must also be uplifted. We have brought this Bill with good intentions, he adds.

Bhubaneshwar Kalita (Congress) insists the Citizenship Amendment Bill should be discussed first and Home Minister must make a statement on the situation in the North East.

MoS Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel says the Home Minister will make at statement at 2 pm.

DMK members troop into the Well opposing the quota Bill, while the Congress and the Trinamool Congress members raise slogans seeking statement from Home Minister.

Rajya Sabha | 12:00 n oon

Rajya Sabha reconvenes. The Constitution (ST) Order Bill, 2019 and the Constitution (ST)Order Second Amendment Bill are introduced.

Rajya Sabha | 11:35 am

Kahkasheen Parveen (JD-U) speaks on speeding up the setting up of Aligarh Muslim University center at Kishenganj.

A. Vijayakumar (AIADMK) says he wants to erect the tallest National Flag post in the southern most tip of Kanyakumari, with his MPLAD fund. He seeks permission from the Centre to do the same.

House is adjourned till 12 noon.

Rajya Sabha | 11:30 am

Rajmani Patel (Congress) seeks adequate supply of urea to farmers and also tackle the Nilgai menace.

K. Somaprasad (CPI-M) speaks against closing down of Central Plantation Crops Research Institute in Kayamkulam, Kerala.

Harnath Singh Yadav (BJP) expresses concern of the lesser number of civil services aspirants opting for Hindi as the medium for taking up the tests.

Vijaypal Singh Tomar (BJP) speaks on crop loans to farmers. Two members refuse to speak since the House is not in order.

Rajya Sabha | 11:25 am

Leader of the House Arun Jaitley responds. He says the decision to extend the session is taken by the Chair and we don't question the Chair.

Mr. Jaitley says the country expects the House to function. So we have extended the proceedings by one day to allow the passage of Bills. He assures Anand Sharma that his concerns will be addressed when the Citizenship Act (Amendment) Bill is taken up. Members continue with their sloganeering.

Rajya Sabha | 11:20 am

The Chair proceeds with Zero Hour proceedings. C.K. Gohel, a Gujarat member, speaks on Indian fishermen lodged in Pakistan and Sri Lankan jails. Members raise slogans.

Anand Sharma seeks a statement from Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the situation in North East. The Bills can wait. Assure the northeastern India that their integrity will be in tact, he adds.

Rajya Sabha | 11:15 am

Congress leader Anand Sharma says he wants to place in record that his party didn't approve the extension. The Business Advisory Committee meet didn't have a consensus. He accuses the government of not taking any steps to end the stand-off.

It is the tradition of Rajya Sabha to discuss Bills which have gone through legislative scrutiny. This government is bulldozing parliamentary procedures, he adds.

Rajya Sabha | 11:00 am

Rajya Sabha proceedings begin. Deputy Chairperson Harivansh is in the Chair. Opposition members question the manner in which the session has been extended by a day. Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (TMC) raises a Point of Order on this issue. Mr. Roy points out the changes in provincial calender must be announced by the Chairman in the House. He accuses the government of publishing a bulletin late at night. S.R. Balasubramoniyam also raises a Point of Order.

Junior Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Goel says the House was unable to function for 10 days and certain members are worried about extending the Session by a day. He says the government has powers to extend the session, if it wants.

Mr. Harivansh makes a statement. He says the issue was discussed during the Business Advisory Committee meet on Tuesday. When I said the House is adjourned for the day, I thought it was implied that the House will function the next day. If you think it is a gaffe, it is the gaffe of my perception, he adds.

Rajya Sabha | 10:55 am

Rajya Sabha on Wednesday will take up the following pending Bills for discussion.

Following Bills are scheduled to be taken in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018

Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2018

Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018

Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2018

Consumer Protection Bill, 2018

Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2018

Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016.

All these Bills have already been passed by the Lok Sabha. If time permits, the Citizenship Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019, and the 124th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2019 popularly known as Quota Bill will also be taken up.

Rajya Sabha | 10:50 am

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday witnessed six adjournments due to protests by members of the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, alleging misuse of the CBI against the Opposition parties.

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