The Lok Sabha on Thursday witnessed multiple adjournments throughout the day due to Opposition protests for a discussion on the situation along the border with China. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya addressed both Houses of Parliament regarding the COVID-19 situation in the country in view of the increasing caseload globally. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha passed two bills to include certain tribal communities to the Scheduled Tribes list of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
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Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha too witnessed protests by the Opposition demanding for a discussion on the India-China border clash. The Chairman disallowed Rule 267 notices, leading to protests from the Opposition, seeking suspension of the business of the House to discuss the India-China clash in Tawang sector, Arunachal Pradesh. They also protested Leader of the House Piyush Goyal’s remarks regarding Bihar. Mr. Goyal says that it was not his intention to insult Bihar or the people of Bihar.
Opposition members gathered in the well of the House in protest and the Chairman then called the Leaders of the House and the Opposition for a meeting at 1 p.m. in his chamber.
When Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was allowed to address the House, he said that the Opposition did not intend to disrespect the Chair, rather wanted a discussion on the India-China border clash. He also said that instead of the issue being discussed in the Chairman’s chambers, it should be discussed in the House for the people to hear.
Mr. Goyal and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that similar incidents were never discussed in the House during previous regimes. Following long arguments with the Chairman, the Opposition members staged a walkout in the Upper House to mark their protest. The House then moved on with Question Hour and then adjourned and reconvened at 2 p.m.
In the post-lunch session, the Rajya Sabha continued to discuss The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022, to add the Narikoravan and the Kurivikkaran hill tribes to the Scheduled Tribes list of Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya briefed the House about the surge in COVID-19 cases, quoting the rise in cases worldwide and in countries such as China and South Korea. He said that given the upcoming festive and new year season, people should ensure wearing masks, using sanitisers and maintaining respiratory hygiene and social distancing. He also said that focus should be given to precautionary doses.
Some members raised concerns about issues such as oxygen supply, the plight of migrant workers and compliance with COVID-19 protocols. In response, the Health Minister said that 2% random testing had already commenced in airports and assured of government’s preparedness.
The House then resumed discussions as Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda replied to the discussion on The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill. He said that Centre was working towards the betterment of governance in tribal areas and that his ministry was in constant consultation with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to ensure the same.
About a language barrier in academics and learning, the Minister says, to this effect, the New Education Policy recognises that more than 700 tribal communities may have their own language and endeavours to preserve them. The Bill was then passed by the House following a voice vote. The House then moved on the discuss The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2022, the bill to include the Betta-Kuruba community as a synonym to the Kadu Kuruba tribe in Karnataka’s list of Scheduled Tribes.
During the proceedings, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar responded to remarks made by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on December 21 and said that “The observations are severely inappropriate, indicating lack of faith in democracy making this exceptional response unavoidable.”
“A troubling new development is the calculated attempt under way to delegitimise the judiciary. Ministers — and even a high constitutional authority — have been enlisted to making speeches attacking the judiciary on various grounds. It is quite clear that this is not an effort to provide reasonable suggestions for improvement. Rather, it is an effort to reduce the standing of the judiciary in the eyes of the public,” Ms. Gandhi had earlier remarked.
Mr. Dhankhar, in his reply, said that parliamentary sovereignty was quintessential to democracy and non-negotiable. “I had then emphasised that democracy blossoms and flourishes when its three facets, the legislature, the judiciary and the executive, is scrupulously adhered to their respective domains,” he said.
“The statement imparted by the chairperson of the UPA is far distanced from my reflections. Delegitimising the judiciary is beyond my contemplation. It is a pillar of the democracy. I would urge and expect leaders across the political spectrum to bear in mind not to subject high-constitutional offices to partisan stances,” he added.
As the House resumed proceedings, Mr. Munda replied to the discussion on The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2022 and said “We are talking about secluded communities listed in the bills but it is sad to see that opposition members are not present in the house.” “They sold dreams for a long time during their long reign but tribals of the country ask today, what happened to those dreams?” he asked.
Regarding comments about a comprehensive Bill for the demand of inclusion in Scheduled Tribes list from across States, he said the Centre was committed to addressing such concerns individually.
The Minister also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government, particularly the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, were working towards ensuring that tribals and people residing in secluded areas were accorded social justice, self-respect and are revived into the mainstream and provided amenities related to health, social security, employment as well as protecting their cultural traditions. The Bill too was then passed by a voice vote. The House then heard Special Mentions before adjourning for the day and to be reconvened at 11 a.m. on Friday (December 23).
Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha witnessed repeated disruptions during the day as the Opposition persisted with its demand for a discussion on the situation along the border with China.
Proceedings resumed with Speaker Om Birla reading out obituary references. He urged the members to wear masks because of the surge in COVID-19 cases in some countries. Members then laid reports on the table of the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi informed the House that the ongoing session will conclude on Friday and urged the Opposition to allow the legislative business to take place. Within minutes of the commencement of proceedings, however, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House for around an hour amid noisy scenes.
The House reassembled at noon but was adjourned once again till 2 p.m. as the protests and sloganeering continued. The Lok Sabha resumed business with discussion on matters under Rule 377.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya briefed the Lower House on the COVID-19 situation amid growing concerns. Saying that India has been reporting around 150 new cases on an average every day as against 5.87 lakh daily all over the world, the Minister said States and UTs have been advised to ensure people wear masks and practice social distancing.
He added that random sampling of international passengers has started at airports to prevent a surge in cases. Soon after the minister concluded the statement, the House was adjourned till 4 p.m. as the Opposition continued sloganeering.
The House reconvened again at 4 p.m. to continuing sloganeering from Opposition members, demanding a discussion on the border situation along China. The house then adjourned abruptly within 15 minutes after taking up matters under Rule 377.
It again convened at 4:30 p.m. with the opposition continuing their demands. Amidst the sloganeering, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal introduced the ‘Jan Vishwas Amendment of Provisions Bill, 2022’.
He successfully moved the bill to be referred to a joint committee of both the Houses. The committee is expected to table its report by the last day of the first week of the second part of the Budget Session.
He explained the bill sought to “amend certain enactments for de-criminalising and rationalising minor offences to further enhance trust-based governance for ease of living and doing business.”
Mr. Goyal apprised the House that the government’s intention was to ensure that domestic and overseas investors willing to do business in India were accorded a “red carpet” and not “red tape”. For minor offences, the Commerce Minister stated, the idea was to penalise them but not cause them enduring inconvenience.
Following this, Deputy Speaker Rama Devi, having made an unsuccessful appeal to opposition members to let the house function, decided to adjourn for the day.
Compiled by Sumeda, Saptaparno Ghosh and Srivatsan K C.
