Latest updates: Both Houses of the Parliament were adjourned following Opposition ruckus on the Punjab National Bank scam, and the alleged fraudulent transactions in other public sector bank. The Opposition remained unrelenting even as the Chair tried to conduct a debate on the issue in Rajya Sabha. Meanwhile, BJP chief Amit Shah and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley are expected to meet a delegation of TDP leaders over the issue of granting special status to the state of Andhra Pradesh. The development comes at a time when the government has already been cornered by the YSRCP over the issue.
Both Houses of the Parliament have reconvened. However, ruckus by Opposition parties has led to the Lok Sabha being adjourned till 12 pm. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha too has been adjourned till 2 pm. Meanwhile, JP Yadav of the RJD and Naresh Agarwal of the SP have issued adjournment notices to discuss the Punjab National Bank scam. BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe has issued an adjournment notice to discuss corruption among relatives of former ministers.
The second half of the Budget Session of Parliament will commence on Monday with the government seeking to push its legislative agenda, including the bill for confiscation of properties of fugitives, and the opposition likely to target it on a range of issues including the multi-crore bank frauds.
The session begins two days after the election results in the northeast were announced that saw the BJP triumphing in Tripura and improving its performance in Nagaland and Meghalaya.
The BJP is expected to be in high spirits to take on a combative opposition that has been seeking to pin down the government over the Rs 12,600 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam involving diamantaire Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi.
The government and the Congress are also likely to cross swords over the arrest of former Union finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti by the CBI in the INX Media alleged bribery case. The Congress has termed the CBI action "political vendetta".
Though the government has taken several steps in the light of the massive bank fraud — the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill; the directive to public sector banks to identify and report NPAs over Rs 50 crore to the CBI; nod to set up an authority to oversee auditing standards of large companies besides swift action by the CBI and the ED in the Nirav Modi case — the opposition is likely to keep up its offensive and seek a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018, which will be introduced during the session, provides for confiscation of properties of people who flee the country after committing huge financial frauds.
File image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PTI
It provides for giving an application before the Special Court for a declaration that an individual is a fugitive economic offender, attachment and confiscation of his property resulting from the proceeds of crime as also his other property in India and abroad, including benami properties.
The Finance Ministry on 27 February directed public-sector banks to scan their Non-performing Asset (NPA) accounts above Rs 50 crore for possible fraud and refer any such fraud cases to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The Ministry has also given these banks a 15-day window to identify gaps and brace for increasing operational and technical risks to the banking system.
The BJP, on its part, has been stating that the multi-crore PNB fraud has its genesis in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government's tenure.
A relief for the government is that the opposition is divided over suggestions for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the PNB fraud.
The Trinamool Congress does not appear favourably disposed to the idea, having said that previous JPCs have not yielded results.
The opposition is also likely to corner the government over the tussle between Prasar Bharti and the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
It is likely to raise issues concerning farmers, the Rafale deal, Staff Selection Commission "job scam", loss of life and property due to ceasefire violations on the LoC and increase in cost of petroleum products.
Apart from the finance bill, the government may also push for passage of the pending triple talaq bill during the session that ends on 6 April.
With inputs from IANS
Published Date: Mar 05, 2018 14:20 PM | Updated Date: Mar 05, 2018 14:23 PM
Highlights
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11.00 am on Tuesday
Chair allows Short Duration discussion on frauds in public sector banks; Opposition unrelenting
PJ Kuries, in an attempt to calm down the agitated members, acknowledged that the issues raised by them were important and agreed to allow discussion on them one by one. For today, he granted permission to conduct a debate on the frauds in public sector banks. However, Opposition MPs refused to vacate the Well and continued raising slogans. There demand was that the prime minister must explain why he could not keep his promise to bring back Nirav Modi and other people alleged scamsters.
Rajya Sabha resumes operation but uproar continues
The Rajya Sabha has resumed operations, with PJ Kurien seated at the Chair. However, MP's continued there agitation even as the Speaker took his seat. Slogans of "Nirav Modi vapas lao" raged in the Parliament while Kurien urged the MPs to maintain decorum of the House.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 11 am tomorrow
Neiphiu Rio resignation from the Lok Sabha accepted
The resignation of Neiphiu Rio, who was elected to the Nagaland Assembly unopposed, and who is likely to be the next Chief Minister of Nagaland, has been accepted by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.
Lok Sabha reconvenes
However, the Opposition continues to create ruckus. The Opposition has also walked into the Well of the House to protest against the government.
Opposition continues to create ruckus
"Don't create hungama," said Venkaiah Naidu as Opposition continued to create ruckus over PNB scam, 'Special Category Status' to Andhra Pradesh and other issues. This forced Naidu to adjourn the Upper House of the Parliament till 2 pm.
Amit Shah, Arun Jaitley to meet TDP delegation in Delhi
According to Financial Express, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP president Amit Shah are scheduled to meet a TDP delegation, and more importantly the Andhra Pradesh finance minister, over the issue of granting Andhra Pradesh with special category status.
WATCH: Opposition, TDP create ruckus in Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm
Venkaiah Naidu reads all adjournment notices that have been issued today
Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Venkaiah Naidu is saying that everyone who issued an adjournment notices under rule 267 will get a chance once he holds a discussion with Arun Jaitley, the Leader of Rajya Sabha. He added that many of the members have to look at some other rule in the Parliament rule book to talk in the Parliament. On the issue of Cauvery water, Naidu said that the adjournment notice issued by AIADMK MP Navneethakrishnan will be discussed in Zero Hour.
After reconvening too, ruckus continues
Opposition MPs enter well of the Rajya Sabha. Opposition MPs shout slogans against Nirav Modi.
YSR Congress protests in Delhi
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11.20 am
Lok Sabha adjourned
Question Hour begins in Lok Sabha
However, Opposition created a ruckus in the House as soon as the session began.
Fancy dress in Parliament! TDP MP Shiva Prasad dresses up as Lord Krishna
Nirav Modi issue linked to Congress party, says Piyush Goyal
Both Houses of the Parliament reconvene
BJP may take the attack to the Opposition
While the Opposition is expected to target the government over financial scams in the recent past, the BJP is likely to pin the blame on the Congress-led UPA regime. The BJP has already claimed that the PNB scam had begun when the UPA was in power and its government has acted with alacrity after the fraud came out in the open. The party, energised by the win in Tripura and impressive performance in Nagaland and Meghalaya elections, is likely to be aggressive in Parliament and rake up scams that happened on the Congress watch to pin it down, party sources said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Parliament
Why the adjournment motion was moved
Today has been the day of adjournment motions. A notice for an adjournment motion can be issued under rule 267 of the Parliament. It is generally utilised by an MP to discuss a matter of public importance. Three of the adjournment motions have been issued to discuss the Nirav Modi scam, while Pappu Yadav has issued an adjournment motion to discuss the alleged scam in the SSC exams. On the other hand, BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe has issued an adjournment notice to discuss the allegations of corruption by relatives of former ministers.
TDP MPs prtoest outside the Parliament over the issue of special status for Andhra Pradesh
TMC MPs protest against government outside Parliament
Bill against economic offenders is high on government's agenda
The passage of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, which seeks confiscation of assets of absconding fraudsters and loan defaulters, and the triple talaq bill will be high on the government's agenda.
The bill to target economic offenders was approved by the government following the escape of diamond merchant Nirav Modi and other accused in the over Rs 12,700-crore Punjab National Bank scam.
Amit Shah to meet TDP delgation over Andhra special status issue
CNN-News18 is reporting that the BJP president will be meeting a delegation from the TDP to discuss the issue of special status to the state of Andhra Pradesh. According to the report, TDP is currently adamant on the 19 demands for the state. On the other hand, the YSRCP is also pressurizing the government over the same issue.
Now, Pappu Yadav gives adjournment notice on SSC exam scam
D Raja also moves adjournment motion in RS
D Raja of the CPI too has issued an adjournment notice in the Rajya Sabha in order to discuss the Punjab National Bank scam. This is the third adjournment motion on the issue.
RJD MP JP Yadav, Samajwadi Party MP Naresh Agarwal move adjournment motion to discuss PNB fraud
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe calls for suspension of today's session
BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe calls for suspension of today's session under rule 267 of the Parliament in order to discuss allegations of corruption indulged by family members of former ministers under the tacit protection of ministers.
Image courtesy: Amtesh
YSRCP to hold dharna seeking special status for Andhra Pradesh
Meanwhile, YSRCP MPs from Andhra Pradesh are likely to hold a dharna against the Centre in the Parliament premises. The party is also expected to initiate a no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha on 21 March, reported Livemint.
Issues Opposition is likely to raise
The Opposition is also likely to corner the government over the tussle between Prasar Bharti and the Information and Broadcasting ministry. It is likely to raise issues concerning farmers, the Rafale deal, Staff Selection Commission "job scam", loss of life and property due to ceasefire violations on the LoC and increase in cost of petroleum products.
Congress expected to attack BJP over Karti's arrest
The Congress is also likely to denounce the government over the arrest of former Union finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti by the CBI in the INX Media alleged bribery case. The Congress has termed the CBI action "political vendetta".
Second half of Budget Session to begin today
Amid the outrage over the Nirav Modi scam and Karti Chidambaram's arrest in the INX Media case, the NDA government is possibly staring at a stormy second half of Budget Session which begins from Monday. The first part of the budget session was held from 29 January to 9 February, while second half of the session will come to a close on 9 April.
14:12 (IST)
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11.00 am on Tuesday
14:11 (IST)
Chair allows Short Duration discussion on frauds in public sector banks; Opposition unrelenting
PJ Kuries, in an attempt to calm down the agitated members, acknowledged that the issues raised by them were important and agreed to allow discussion on them one by one. For today, he granted permission to conduct a debate on the frauds in public sector banks. However, Opposition MPs refused to vacate the Well and continued raising slogans. There demand was that the prime minister must explain why he could not keep his promise to bring back Nirav Modi and other people alleged scamsters.
14:03 (IST)
Rajya Sabha resumes operation but uproar continues
The Rajya Sabha has resumed operations, with PJ Kurien seated at the Chair. However, MP's continued there agitation even as the Speaker took his seat. Slogans of "Nirav Modi vapas lao" raged in the Parliament while Kurien urged the MPs to maintain decorum of the House.
12:08 (IST)
Lok Sabha adjourned till 11 am tomorrow
12:05 (IST)
Neiphiu Rio resignation from the Lok Sabha accepted
The resignation of Neiphiu Rio, who was elected to the Nagaland Assembly unopposed, and who is likely to be the next Chief Minister of Nagaland, has been accepted by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.
12:03 (IST)
Lok Sabha reconvenes
However, the Opposition continues to create ruckus. The Opposition has also walked into the Well of the House to protest against the government.
11:50 (IST)
Opposition continues to create ruckus
"Don't create hungama," said Venkaiah Naidu as Opposition continued to create ruckus over PNB scam, 'Special Category Status' to Andhra Pradesh and other issues. This forced Naidu to adjourn the Upper House of the Parliament till 2 pm.
11:47 (IST)
Amit Shah, Arun Jaitley to meet TDP delegation in Delhi
According to Financial Express, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP president Amit Shah are scheduled to meet a TDP delegation, and more importantly the Andhra Pradesh finance minister, over the issue of granting Andhra Pradesh with special category status.
11:41 (IST)
WATCH: Opposition, TDP create ruckus in Rajya Sabha
11:39 (IST)
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm
11:25 (IST)
Venkaiah Naidu reads all adjournment notices that have been issued today
Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Venkaiah Naidu is saying that everyone who issued an adjournment notices under rule 267 will get a chance once he holds a discussion with Arun Jaitley, the Leader of Rajya Sabha. He added that many of the members have to look at some other rule in the Parliament rule book to talk in the Parliament. On the issue of Cauvery water, Naidu said that the adjournment notice issued by AIADMK MP Navneethakrishnan will be discussed in Zero Hour.
11:22 (IST)
After reconvening too, ruckus continues
Opposition MPs enter well of the Rajya Sabha. Opposition MPs shout slogans against Nirav Modi.
11:20 (IST)
YSR Congress protests in Delhi
11:16 (IST)
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11.20 am
11:13 (IST)
Lok Sabha adjourned
11:08 (IST)
Question Hour begins in Lok Sabha
However, Opposition created a ruckus in the House as soon as the session began.
11:06 (IST)
Fancy dress in Parliament! TDP MP Shiva Prasad dresses up as Lord Krishna
11:05 (IST)
Nirav Modi issue linked to Congress party, says Piyush Goyal
11:01 (IST)
Both Houses of the Parliament reconvene
10:58 (IST)
BJP may take the attack to the Opposition
While the Opposition is expected to target the government over financial scams in the recent past, the BJP is likely to pin the blame on the Congress-led UPA regime. The BJP has already claimed that the PNB scam had begun when the UPA was in power and its government has acted with alacrity after the fraud came out in the open. The party, energised by the win in Tripura and impressive performance in Nagaland and Meghalaya elections, is likely to be aggressive in Parliament and rake up scams that happened on the Congress watch to pin it down, party sources said.
10:52 (IST)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Parliament
10:50 (IST)
Why the adjournment motion was moved
Today has been the day of adjournment motions. A notice for an adjournment motion can be issued under rule 267 of the Parliament. It is generally utilised by an MP to discuss a matter of public importance. Three of the adjournment motions have been issued to discuss the Nirav Modi scam, while Pappu Yadav has issued an adjournment motion to discuss the alleged scam in the SSC exams. On the other hand, BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe has issued an adjournment notice to discuss the allegations of corruption by relatives of former ministers.
10:45 (IST)
TDP MPs prtoest outside the Parliament over the issue of special status for Andhra Pradesh
10:44 (IST)
TMC MPs protest against government outside Parliament
10:39 (IST)
10:37 (IST)
10:35 (IST)
Bill against economic offenders is high on government's agenda
The passage of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, which seeks confiscation of assets of absconding fraudsters and loan defaulters, and the triple talaq bill will be high on the government's agenda.
The bill to target economic offenders was approved by the government following the escape of diamond merchant Nirav Modi and other accused in the over Rs 12,700-crore Punjab National Bank scam.
10:22 (IST)
Amit Shah to meet TDP delgation over Andhra special status issue
CNN-News18 is reporting that the BJP president will be meeting a delegation from the TDP to discuss the issue of special status to the state of Andhra Pradesh. According to the report, TDP is currently adamant on the 19 demands for the state. On the other hand, the YSRCP is also pressurizing the government over the same issue.
10:18 (IST)
Now, Pappu Yadav gives adjournment notice on SSC exam scam
10:10 (IST)
D Raja also moves adjournment motion in RS
D Raja of the CPI too has issued an adjournment notice in the Rajya Sabha in order to discuss the Punjab National Bank scam. This is the third adjournment motion on the issue.
10:06 (IST)
RJD MP JP Yadav, Samajwadi Party MP Naresh Agarwal move adjournment motion to discuss PNB fraud
10:02 (IST)
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe calls for suspension of today's session
BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe calls for suspension of today's session under rule 267 of the Parliament in order to discuss allegations of corruption indulged by family members of former ministers under the tacit protection of ministers.
Image courtesy: Amtesh
09:49 (IST)
YSRCP to hold dharna seeking special status for Andhra Pradesh
Meanwhile, YSRCP MPs from Andhra Pradesh are likely to hold a dharna against the Centre in the Parliament premises. The party is also expected to initiate a no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha on 21 March, reported Livemint.
09:47 (IST)
Issues Opposition is likely to raise
The Opposition is also likely to corner the government over the tussle between Prasar Bharti and the Information and Broadcasting ministry. It is likely to raise issues concerning farmers, the Rafale deal, Staff Selection Commission "job scam", loss of life and property due to ceasefire violations on the LoC and increase in cost of petroleum products.
09:45 (IST)
Congress expected to attack BJP over Karti's arrest
The Congress is also likely to denounce the government over the arrest of former Union finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti by the CBI in the INX Media alleged bribery case. The Congress has termed the CBI action "political vendetta".
09:43 (IST)
Second half of Budget Session to begin today
Amid the outrage over the Nirav Modi scam and Karti Chidambaram's arrest in the INX Media case, the NDA government is possibly staring at a stormy second half of Budget Session which begins from Monday. The first part of the budget session was held from 29 January to 9 February, while second half of the session will come to a close on 9 April.