Winter Session of Parliament Day 3 updates: RS passes bill proposing autonomy for IIMs; both Houses adjourned for the day

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 am tomorrow

Rajya Sabha passes The Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017

Jairam Ramesh questions how board of directors will be appointed at IIMs after new bill

Congress leader said that the government should describe how they plan the transition between the current boards at IIMs and the Board of Governors as proposed in the new bill. He also asked what would be the criteria for appointment of these governors. 

Lok Sabha concludes proceedings for the day, to reconvene tomorrow at 11 am

Lok Sabha passes Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill

Lok Sabha considering Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill

No proposal to make Aadhaar linkage mandatory for property, says govt

There was no proposal to make Aadhaar linkage mandatory for property transactions, Parliament was informed today.

Work on 10 waterways will be completed by 2018: Gadkari tells LS 

Gadkari told the Lok Sabha that a river traffic control system was already functioning between Haldia and Patna. He added that work on 10 waterways will be completed by 2018. 

Nitin Gadkari responds to questions raised on Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill

Naresh Agrawal says he supports IIM bill but questions lack of similar reforms in IITs, AICTE

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Agrawal said he would support the bill only for the fact that at least there was some will to bring about the change. He, however, lamented the lack of similar reforms in other educational institutes such as IITs or other higher education institutes. 

He also brought up the problems faced by students passing from regional language schools. 

Samajwadi Party's Naresh Aggarwal rises to speak

Lok Sabha members seek talks with China on Brahmaputra pollution; Ananth Kumar vows to raise issue at 'highest level'

After Lok Sabha members on Tuesday expressed concern over the Brahmaputra river being polluted by China, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar assured the House that he will take up the issue at the "highest level" in the government.

The matter was raised by Bhartruhari Mahtab of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) during Zero Hour. 

In Lok Sabha, Dushyant Chautala raises point of depleting water resources as House debates increasing budget for development of waterways

IIM Bill proposes greater autonomy to IIM

IIM amendment bill proposes larger autonomy for management institutes and provisions to allow them to grant postgraduate degree rather than a diploma

Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar presents IIM amendment bill

Uproar in Rajya Sabha, as Prakash Javadekar rises to present IIM amendment bill

Samajwadi Party's Naresh Aggarwal objected to the passage and debate on two bills in the same day, adding that it eats away the time of short duration discussions. After a brief exchange, Yadav only resumed his seat after being assured from the Treasury Benches that at least one short duration discussion will be held in the House. 

Rajya Sabha Companies (Amendment) Bill

Rabindra Kumar Jena of BJP asks Gadkari to route several waterway networks through Odisha

Jena said that the state of Odisha has since-long been discriminated agaist by the central government. He requested Gadkari to formulate schemes to include the state in the development of transport networks. 

"Odisha coast canal should be included in the national waterways to give the state the benefit of the revolutionary transport network," Jena said. 

In Rajya Sabha, MoS PP Chaudhary rises to answer queries on Companies Affairs amendment acts

Saugat Roy of TMC rises to speak on Central Road Fund Amendment bill, says party supports bill

"He is channeling money from one pocket to another pocket of his own ministry and we do not oppose it," Roy said. He said that since the money was being rerouted he will support the bill. 

On a lighter note, however, Roy wondered why, Rudy, the speaker before him was removed from the cabinet, even though he is a splendid speaker. 

He says that Gadkari used to be a vikas purush, but has now become a sapno ka saudagar (trader of dreams)." He said that whenever someone raises the point of funds, he says he will manage from foreign funds or here or there. 

Roy also demanded a white paper on the actual ground work done in his ministry. 

Rajeev Prasad Rudy praises Gadkari's work style, lauds plans for improving inland waterways

Meanwhile... Congress attacks Narendra Modi outside Parliament over PMs comments on Manmohan Singh

In Lok Sabha, Nitin Gadkar moves for amendment of Central Road Fund act

In Rajya Sabha, Tapan Sen of CPM says Company Affairs amendment bill inadequate

The CPM leader pointed out that the expenditure of CSR funds is not yet bounding on companies. He said that the Corporate Affairs Ministry merely accepts a mere explanation as to why money on CSR has not been spent. 

He also said that the bill allows same relaxations to SMEs as it does to big companies which "amounts to holding the country at ransom."  

Repealing of archaic bill(s) passed in Lower House

Section 377 needs democratic consensus to repeal

The minister conceded that there is merits in decriminalizing Section 377 but there is opposition to it as well. There needs to be democratic consensus to repeal it. We need to debate, discuss and decide.

Meanwhile in LS, Law Minister RS Prasad responds to objections and questions raised on repealment of archaic bills

One size can't fit all, says Vivek Gupta in Rajya Sabha

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Gupta also said that the government is trying to fit everyoe under a sigle law, while evidence from past points to the contrary. He said that small and medium enterprises continues to suffer and the Companies amendment bill has nothing to address that issue.

Vivek Gupta, AITC, says bill remains inconclusive

The bill will lead to conflict between two arms of the government. The removal of certain reasonable restriction will make money laundering easier," Gupta said. He said that the provision to give deposit security has been done away with, which is a serious problem. 

"This bill fails to address the differences between various acts like the RBI act, and SEBI act. There are various discrepancies which must be addressed," Gupta said. 

Samajwadi Party's Sanjay Seth suggests changes in Companies Amendment Bill

"Changes required to ensure that reserved seat for woman director is not occupied by family members of promoters," Seth said. He also raised the point of concentrated expenditure of CSR funds. "A lot of big companies are in Maharashtra, Gujarat. Hence CSR money is spent in those regions. CSR must be done in other regions of this country," he said. 

BJP's Narendra Keshav Sawaikar rises to support repealment of archaic law

Shiv Sena MP asks government to repeal Section 370

Shiv Sena in the Lower House, demanded that along with the 235 archaic laws, the government must also repeal Section 377, which grants Jammu and Kashmir special status. 

235 old laws to be repealed by this law!

Chidambaram says corporate governance leaves much to be desired

"Corporate Governance leaves much to be desired in India. May be it is a legacy issue in the country. The law is old. It took 15 years for us to bring the new law. In between, there were various excesses in corporate world. There have been no proper regulation of companies. So, there is much to be desired. Like, many companies do not pay taxes but are part of the Registrar," Chidambaram says while concluding his speech. 

235 old laws to be repealed by this law!

There is an undeclared Emergency now, says TMC MP

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee says, " While there is no doubt that the Emergency in 1975-77 affected many people, there is a kind of Emergency without even constitutionally declaring it nowadays. It is important to make a distinction between the official emergency in 1975 and the post-2014 situation," Banerjee adds. 

What will the Repealing and Amendment Bill, 2017 do?

This Bill seeks to repeal 131 Acts. Among the Acts that will be repealed, 30 are pre-Independence laws. This Bill also includes nine Ordinances promulgated before Independence.

P Chidambaram speaks on amendment to Companies Act

Chidambaram said that the Bill has noble objectives. However, he added that the relaxations given to small and medium companies under this law will apply to all companies because we have only one Companies Act. Chidambaram said that there is a need to consider having a separate comprehensive legislation for small and medium companies.

Bill being introduced in both Houses

The government has tabled the Companies Act (Amendment), 2017 in the Rajya Sabha. On the other hand, the government has introduced the Repealing and Amendment Bill, 2017 in the Lok Sabha. 

Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha reconvene

Rajya Sabha too is adjourned till 2 pm

Government condemns Congress in LS

"Not happy with what they did. That they came into the well is shameful. You can interrupt us but do not disrupt the proceedings. They insulted the Chair. Even Mallikarjuna Kharge disrupted the House. We condemn it." Ananth Kumar said. 

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm

Issue of Brahmaputra's contamination resonates in Lok Sabha

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The issue has been raised by several Assam MPs in Lok Sabha. Looking at the seriousness of the issue, Union Minister Ananth Kumar has assured the House that the Centre will look into the issue. 

Meanwhile in Lok Sabha

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Petroleum products not out of GST ambit 

"A constitutional bill has been passed. It stated that petroleum products is not out of the law. It is a part of GST but the decision to levy GST is concerned, it will be taken only after council takes decision. For that we need a 3/4th majority," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. 

P Chidambaram talks on GST on petroleum products

"When will the GST council decide to bring it under the ambit of GST? what is the position of the Centre?" the former finance minister asks. Chidambaram says that the Centre has a veto power over the decision taken by the council. 

He said that despite the crude oil prices falling, the price of diesel and petrol has remained the same. "Now that BJP is in power and at Centre, when will it bring the petroleum under GST?" he adds. 

JP Nadda speaks on AIIMS' quality 

Over a question whether the government is taking any steps to address the lack of medical infrastructure, Nadda says that AIIMS standards cannot be diluted. But he adds that there is a lack of faculty which is being addressed.

Jaitley to intervene in Manmohan-Modi spar

In Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley says, "Leaders of opposition shall be invited to discuss this issue." After his assurance, the House has been functioning smoothly. 

In Lok Sabha, Lalu Yadav's NSG cover issue is raised

JP Narayan Yadav of the RJD tells the House, "I request Lalu Prasad Yadav's NSG protection to be reinstated. He might be killed today. A lot of people adore him and he needs to be protected."

Lok Sabha update

The lower house is discussing matters of urgent public importance. 

Meanwhile in Lok Sabha

Some understanding required, says Venkaiah Naidu 

Chairman Venkaiah Naidu asks Congress to not raise the issue and disrupt the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha. He said that the issue needs to be sorted out with a discussion with the Leader of the House (Jaitley). 

Sloganeering continues in Lok Sabha

While the Lok Sabha reconvenes, the noise over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement continues to disturb the working of the House. 

Congress now creates ruckus 

In RS, Azad says if any leader is found to be guilty then punish them. "PM Modi maafi maango" is heard in the House. 

LOP Ghulam Nabi Azad speaks in RS

Azad raises the issue of alleged EVM tampering in Gujarat. He also raises the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi making insinuation against Manmohan Singh, Hamid Ansari and Mani Shankar Aiyar. 

Zero Hour ends in Rajya Sabha. Now Question Hour

Renaming of Dyal Singh College in Delhi is raised 

"Government believes in "sabka saath sabka vikaas". The committee is trying to create communal divide in the country. i request the government to replace the managing committee of Dyal Singh College in Delhi," SAD MP Naresh Gujaral says while requesting the government to not rename the institute "Vande Mataram College."

Congress opposes special courts for lawmakers

Anand Sharma of the Congress says, "If the perception is created that special courts are needed only for MPs, other people should not have to bear the brunt of it." He adds, "It has an inherent potential to be abused in entirety by the government of the day."

Declare Cyclone Okhi a national calamity: D Raja 

"The farming community in the coastal belt stands thoroughly devastated. I ask the government, 'Why can't you declare this as a national disaster? What is preventing this?'" CPI leader D Raja asks the government. 

Sloganeering continues from Congress MPs

Slogan shouting continued in the Lok Sabha as the Chair asked them not to disturb the Question Hour. "If you don't want the House to function, give that in writing,"  Mahajan said before adjourning the LS for half an hour. 

Lok Sabha adjourned till 12. PM

Make law to protect data privacy, says TMC

Speaking in RS, TMC MP Sukhendu Shekhar Roy urges government to protect the personal data linked to the Aadhar. He adds that privacy is a fundamental law and hence the government needs to make a law to protect the data from third party external organizations. 

Stubble burning issue finds a voice in Rajya Sabha

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Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Pratap Singh Bajwa asked the government to intervene in the stubble burning by the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. He also raised the issue of Sri Lankan cricketers wearing masks does not bode well for India's international reputation. 

Stubble burning issue finds a voice in Rajya Sabha

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Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Pratap Singh Bajwa asked the government to intervene in the stubble burning by the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. He also raised the issue of Sri Lankan cricketers wearing masks does not bode well for India's international reputation. 

SP taunts NDA in Rajya Sabha

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Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, SP MP Naresh Agarwal asks Arun Jaitley if the NDA government will create special trial courts to try those who defaulted on Rs 8 lakh crore. His statement came after the government sought to push a new law to expedite the trial of MLAs and MPs. 

Arun Jailtey slams Opposition 

Leader of House Arun Jaitley says, "Everybody must get speedy trials. Do we have vested interests in delaying trials of politicians?"

Opposition opposes law for creating special courts to try criminal lawmakers

Rajya Sabha update

While Derek O' Brien raises the issue of FRDI bill, Congress MP Anand Sharma talks about undertrials in India, urging the Modi government to do something to curb the issue. 

Ananth Kumar requests for calm

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar asks Congress MPs to not bring electoral issues into the House. 

Now, Congress MPs come to the well of the Lok Sabha 

Congress MPs shout 'Narendra Modi maafi maango' in Lok Sabha

Opposition creating ruckus in Lok Sabha

The Congress has moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha seeking an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his comment on Manmohan Singh.

FRDI Bill in the line of fire

The TMC has issued a notice for discussion on FRDI bill in Lok Sabha. 

Both Houses reconvene 

TMC MPs protest against FRDI bill 

Calling the FRDI bill anti-people, the Trinamool Congress and other Opposition parties are all set to corner the government over the law. 

WATCH: Rajya Sabha adjourned on Monday after Opposition ruckus

Two key bills expected to be moved in Lok Sabha

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While Nitin Gadkari is expected to move the Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill, Hardeep Puri is expected to do so with the Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill. 

RECAP: Three BJP MPs resign

While Yogi Adityanath and Keshav Prasad Maurya resigned as they shifted to Uttar Pradesh politics, Nana Patole had quit the party citing Modi government's indifference towards agrarian crisis. 

Updates for 19 December 2017 begin

Lok Sabha adjourned till 11 am on Tuesday

Lok Sabha continues to pass motions amid ruckus

The Opposition raises slogans demanding an apology from Narendra Modi ("Pradhan Mantri maafi mango"). Meanwhile the Speaker continues to run the House as numerous motions are passed in rapid fashion by voice votes.

Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings and adjourns within minutes

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 am on Tuesday after Opposition continued to raise slogans in the House.

​Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon amid Cong uproar over Modi's insinuations against Manmohan Singh

Lok Sabha adjourned after BJP member's statement

The Lok Sabha witnessed an adjournment minutes after it met on Monday amid an uproar, and Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House till 12 noon.

While opposition members were seen standing at their seats and protesting, from the treasury benches — BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, who had the first question listed against his name, said the Bharatiya Janata Party was headed for victory in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

"Congress has lost Himachal Pradesh, and I want to thank the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) for the unprecedented victory in Gujarat," Somaiya said

Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon

Rajya Sabha adjourned as well

The Upper House will resume proceedings at 12 noon.

Lok Sabha adjourned within minutes, reports CNN-News18

Narendra Modi arrives in Parliament

Updates for 18 December start here

Rajya Sabha reconvenes after third adjournment on the first day

Proceedings begin in Rajya Sabha

RECAP: Rajya Sabha witnessed two adjournments on first day

The Upper House witnessed two adjournments in the morning of the first day of the Winter Session. While it saw an adjournment for 20 minutes till noon in the beginning after Opposition uproar over disqualification of rebel JDU leaders Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar Ansari, the second one was over the Prime Minister's remarks.

Modi's Pakistan allegations against Manmohan Singh aren't ordinary: Azad

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad raises the issue of Modi's allegations against former prime minister Manmohan Singh and others of conspiring with Pakistan for Gujarat election. "Ye sadharan aarop nahi hai (This isn't a ordinary allegation)," Azad said. 

Naidu adjourns Rajya Sabha till 2.30 pm

Amit Shah makes debut in Rajya Sabha

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BJP chief Amit Shah made his debut in Parliament today. He was elected as a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat in August this year.

Shah has been allotted a front row seat of the treasury benches in the Rajya Sabha with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Shah will be occupying the seat held by M Venkaiah Naidu till he was elected as the Vice-President.

The notification for the new seating arrangements has been issued by the Rajya Sabha secretariat for new members. Shah's seat is on the other side of the aisle from Modi and BJP's leader of the house, Jaitley.

Why was Sharad Yadav disqualified?

Former JD(U) president Sharad Yadav on 12 December, 2017 moved the Delhi High Court seeking setting aside of his disqualification from the Rajya Sabha. Yadav, in his plea, said he was not given any chance by the authorities before passing an order against him.

Yadav, along with another MP Ali Anwar, was disqualified from the Rajya Sabha on 4 December. Yadav had joined hands with the Opposition after JD(U) president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar dumped the grand alliance with the RJD and the Congress in Bihar and tied up with the BJP in July this year.

The Rajya Sabha chairman had agreed to the JD(U)’s contention that the two senior leaders had “voluntarily given up” their membership by defying the party’s directives and attending events of Opposition parties.

The JD(U) had sought their disqualification on the grounds that they had attended a rally of Opposition parties in Patna in violation of its direction.

Yadav was elected to the House last year and his term was scheduled to end in 2022. Anwar’s term was to expire early next year.

Advocate Nizam Pasha, who filed the plea on the behalf of the leader, said the matter regarding which faction is the real Janta Dal was sub judice and a final decision is yet to be passed.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 pm

The Opposition forced the first adjournment of the Rajya Sabha as leaders stormed the well demanding an explanation over JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav's expulsion. The Upper House is adjourned till 12 pm. 

Ruckus in Rajya Sabha over Sharad Yadav's disqualification from Rajya Sabha

Opposition leaders in Rajya Sabha questioned the Chair's decision to disqualify senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav. Even as Chairman Venkaiah Naidu continued to tell the leaders of Opposition to sit down, Leader of Opposition in Upper House Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the Opposition did not intend to question the Chair's decision but demanded clarification on why was Yadav expelled from the Rajya Sabha. 

Lok Sabha adjourned for the day

After obit references, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the Lower House for the day. The House will meet again at 11 am on 18 December, 2017. Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly Election results will be announced on 18 December, as well. 

Mallikarjun Kharge responds to Modi's 'constructive session' appeal

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, in response to Narendra Modi's appeal for a constructive session, said, "We are always in favour of constructive suggestion. We are very much interested to run Parliament and issues to be discussed, provided the government should take interest and create such an atmosphere which is conducive for discussion. They should respect the opposition."

Meanwhile...

INLD Lok Sabha MP Dushyant Chautala rides a tractor to the Parliament

Watch: Modi addresses media ahead of Winter Session

I am confident that it will be a productive session: Narendra Modi

Hoping that the Winter Session will be a "constructive" one, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media and said, "The Winter Session of Parliament is starting and I am confident that it will be productive session. I hope there is constructive debate and we come up with innovative solutions to our nation's problems. May this Parliament Session contribute to the nation's growth. At yesterday's all-party meeting, we all were clear that we need to take the country ahead and this session should be used positively to achieve that."

Congress demands Modi's apology in Parliament

After bitter and acrimonious campaigning for Gujarat election, the Opposition, especially Congress, is up in arms and it is therefore expected that the first day of the Winter Session will be a stormy one.

Speaking to ANI, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "For the first time a prime minister has accused former prime minister, former vice-president and diplomats of conspiring with Pakistan for Gujarat elections. Modi must clarify in Parliament."

NDA meeting to take place at 4 pm in Parliament today 

Cabinet meeting to take place at 1 pm in Parliament today 

Legislative agenda for the Winter Session of Parliament