Parliament LIVE Updates: Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Modi's use of the term 'andolan jeevi' in his Parliament speech on Monday
File photo of Parliament building. PTI
Parliament LATEST Updates
The stalemate in the Lok Sabha is expected to break on Monday paving way for the house to resume functioning, sources in the government told Indian Express. In order to pacify the Opposition, which has been disrupting the proceedings for the last four days, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke in LS, urging Opposition to maintain the decorum of Lok Sabha.
"I ask with folded hands with great courtesy that the debate on the Motion of Thanks should be debated and cleared in the Lok Sabha too. You can say all you wish to say in the debate, including on the farm bills," the Union defence minister was quoted by The Hindu as saying.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said business over hunger will not be allowed in the country and once again demanded a law on minimum support price (MSP) for crops along with the repeal of new contentious agri-marketing laws.
The Bharatiya Kisan Union spokesperson's comments came soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address in the Rajya Sabha during which he assured "MSP was there. MSP is there. MSP will remain in the future", reports PTI.
As per The Tribune, the farm leader said, "They (Centre) are complicating the matter, when did we say that the MSP system is ending, we only want a law on it."
"Desh mein bhook pe vyaapaar nahi hoga. Bhook kitni lagegi anaaj ki keemat utni hogi. Desh mein bhook se vyaapaar karne walon ko baahar nikaala jaaega (There will not be business over hunger in the country. If hunger goes up, price of crops will be decided accordingly. Those wanting business over hunger will be driven out of the country)," he told reporters.
Earlier in the day, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu spoke in the Rajya Sabha about the Uttarakhand flash floods. The Hindu quoted him as saying, "As far as the issue of Uttarakhand is concerned, the entire country is concerned. Today morning, I spoke to the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, and he said all efforts are on."
Parliament LATEST Updates
Parliament LATEST Updates
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Monday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the prime minister's use of the term "andolan jeevi", or those who survive on protests, during his address inthe Rajya Sabha and sought to associate himself with the expression.
The Rajya Sabha MP shared a photograph of him and farmers leader Rakesh Tikait on Twitter and said in Hindi on the micro-blogging site, "Say with pride..we are all andolanjeevi...jai jawan, jai kisaan."
The photograph was taken when Raut met Tikait at the Ghazipur protest site outside Delhi on 2 February to express solidarity with farmers agitating against the Centre's new agri-marketing laws.
Parliament LATEST Updates
BJP MP PP Chaudhary criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha on Monday. He accused Rahul of "supporting Pakistan and China's stand on internal issues of India".
He also quoted former US president Barack Obama's book on the Congress leader, in which he described Rahul as "a nervous, unformed quality about him, as if he were a student who’d done the coursework and was eager to impress the teacher but deep down lacked either the aptitude or the passion to master the subject".
Parliament LATEST Updates
CPM MP AM Arif slammed the Centre over the abrogation of Article 370 and reportedly questioned whether the government "will send an all-party delegation to Kashmir". He also criticised the government's handling of the farmers' protests.
Parliament LATEST Updates
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra's critical reference to a former chief justice of India created uproar in Lok Sabha on Monday, with treasury members accusing her of violating parliamentary rules and demanding that her remarks be expunged.
RSP MP N K Premachandran, who was in the Chair, said her remarks will be expunged if found objectionable.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal termed her comments against the former CJI, who was not named, as "shameful".
In her strong-worded speech during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, Moitra lashed out at the government for making "hate and bigotry" a part of its narrative and alleged that the judiciary and the media have also "failed" the country.
She alleged that India is facing an "undeclared emergency" and accused the government of dubbing protesting voices from students to farmers and old women of Shaheen Bagh, a reference to anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act agitation in Delhi last year, as "terrorists".
Parliament LATEST Updates
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, protesting the Centre's new agri laws, took umbrage to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'andolanjivi' remark and said it was an insult to the farmers. The umbrella body of farmers unions said it was the 'andolans' (protests) that liberated India from colonial rule and asserted that they were proud to be 'andolan-jivi'.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday appealed to protesting farmers to call off their over two-month-long stir, assuring them of continuing with the purchase of crops at an administered price or MSP.
In the same vein, he also hit out at a new "breed" of agitators — 'Andolan-jivi' — in the country who cannot live without a tumult. The SKM "condemns the insult" of farmers by the prime minister, a statement from the organisation issued by its leader Darshan Pal, said.
Parliament LATEST Updates
NCP MP Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil said that the Centre needs to extend immediate help to people who have lost their jobs in the unorganised sector. He said that unemployment has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Employment oppurtunites should be made available to poor workers who lost their jos lockdown," he said.
He also said that the Marathi language "should be recognised as a national language".
Parliament LATEST Updates
BJP leader Nishsikant Dubey challenged BSP MP Ritesh Pandey's statement on the leaked Whatsapp chats purportedly between journalist Arnab Goswami and former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta.
While Pandey expressed concerns over national security, Dubey questioned him about the "authenticity" of the leaked WhatsApp chats.
Parliament LATEST Updates
BSP MP Ritesh Pandey took the Centre to task over the two-month-long farmer protest and unemployment in the country.
He said it was "shameful" that farmers were being called "terrorists" by some political leaders. " We should listen to farmers, and roll back the farm laws," he said.
"Employment is a big issue in the country and despite promises, the Centre is not holding a discussion on the topic. During lockdown unemployment has become more acute. People in the unorganised sector need help from the government," he added.
He also noted that some businessmen became wealthier in the duration of the pandemic and subsequent lockdown. "When the entire country was tackling the pandemic, the richest man in Asia was making a profit. The economic divide in our country is hard to miss. While many rich students had access to PCs and laptops attending classes remotely, poor children had a hard time," he added.
Parliament LATEST Updates
BJD MP Pinaki Mishra said, "We need more AIIMS in Odisha to ramp up health infrastucture to tackle the pandemic. The only way to improve health infrastucture is through decentralisation."
He also made an appeal for the Women's Reservation bill to be passed as soon as possible.
Parliament LATEST News and Updates: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Monday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the prime minister's use of the term "andolan jeevi", or those who survive on protests, during his address inthe Rajya Sabha and sought to associate himself with the expression.
The Rajya Sabha MP shared a photograph of him and farmers leader Rakesh Tikait on Twitter and said in Hindi on the micro-blogging site, "Say with pride..we are all andolanjeevi...jai jawan, jai kisaan."
The photograph was taken when Raut met Tikait at the Ghazipur protest site outside Delhi on 2 February to express solidarity with farmers agitating against the Centre's new agri-marketing laws.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra's critical reference to a former chief justice of India created uproar in Lok Sabha on Monday, with treasury members accusing her of violating parliamentary rules and demanding that her remarks be expunged.
RSP MP N K Premachandran, who was in the Chair, said her remarks will be expunged if found objectionable.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal termed her comments against the former CJI, who was not named, as "shameful".
In her strong-worded speech during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, Moitra lashed out at the government for making "hate and bigotry" a part of its narrative and alleged that the judiciary and the media have also "failed" the country.
She alleged that India is facing an "undeclared emergency" and accused the government of dubbing protesting voices from students to farmers and old women of Shaheen Bagh, a reference to anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act agitation in Delhi last year, as "terrorists".
BSP MP Ritesh Pandey took the Centre to task over the two-month-long farmer protest and unemployment in the country.
He said it was "shameful" that farmers were being called "terrorists" by some political leaders. " We should listen to farmers, and roll back the farm laws," he said.
"Employment is a big issue in the country and despite promises, the Centre is not holding a discussion on the topic. During lockdown unemployment has become more acute. People in the unorganised sector need help from the government," he added.
He also noted that some businessmen became wealthier in the duration of the pandemic and subsequent lockdown. "When the entire country was tackling the pandemic, the richest man in Asia was making a profit. The economic divide in our country is hard to miss. While many rich students had access to PCs and laptops attending classes remotely, poor children had a hard time," he added.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, protesting the Centre's new agri laws, took umbrage to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'andolanjivi' remark and said it was an insult to the farmers. The umbrella body of farmers unions said it was the 'andolans' (protests) that liberated India from colonial rule and asserted that they were proud to be 'andolan-jivi'.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday appealed to protesting farmers to call off their over two-month-long stir, assuring them of continuing with the purchase of crops at an administered price or MSP.
In the same vein, he also hit out at a new "breed" of agitators — 'Andolan-jivi' — in the country who cannot live without a tumult. The SKM "condemns the insult" of farmers by the prime minister, a statement from the organisation issued by its leader Darshan Pal, said.
BJP leader Nishsikant Dubey challenged BSP MP Ritesh Pandey's statement on the leaked Whatsapp chats purportedly between journalist Arnab Goswami and former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta.
While Pandey expressed concerns over national security, Dubey questioned him about the "authenticity" of the leaked WhatsApp chats.
JD(U) MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the government's handling of the pandemic and said that the protocols has brought the virus "fully under control" in India.
He claimed that Modi took the "right decision" of imposing a lockdown. "Without bothering about the Economy, PM did it and because of this decision that is fully under control. They were criticising the PM even when we were fighting," he said.
He added, "The PM consulted the States at every stage when he needed to open the lockdown. PM ran thousands of trains to transport migrants. The Prime Minister is deserving of thanks for the way he controlled ."
Shiv Sena MP Pratap Rao Jadhav, while addressing Lok Sabha, said that the government should consider the criticism for the farm laws rather than calling the farmers as 'anti-national'
The TMC MP slammed the Centre in the Lower House, raking up the issue of leaked WhatsApp chats to the press, saying 'today India is in a state of undeclared emergency'
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP TR Baalu says the government should repeal farm laws, reports The Hindu. He said the Central government should repeal the three farm laws for the betterment of the nation.
The leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury questioned how did the January 26 violent protests could have happened. "When there is Home Minister Amit Shah, how could this happen. This was a well-organized conspiracy by the government."
Lok Sabha resumed normal functioning Monday after a week-long disruption over the three Central farm laws following an appeal by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh that it was a duty of every member to maintain the tradition of passing the Motion of Thanks to President's address.
The Union Defence Minister urged the Opposition MPs to end the stalemate in LS and said, "I ask with folded hands that the debate on the Motion of Thanks be cleared. You can say all you wish to say in the debate, including on farm bills."
Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said business over hunger will not be allowed in the country and once again demanded a law on minimum support price (MSP) for crops along with the repeal of new contentious agri-marketing laws.
Before adjourning the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla said that MPs are not elected to shout slogans or show placards. "We have been elected to take part in discussions," he said
Small Mohalla schools, with 10 to 20 students, catered to the underprivileged children during pandemic, said Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, while answering a question on online education in Lok Sabha
Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy gave an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over the 'alleged repression of farmers by Police through barricading and fencing'. Congress MPs Manish Tewari, Jasbir Gill and CPM MP AM Arif gave an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha and demand the repealing of three farm laws in the wake of farmers’ agitation.
The Rajya Sabha on Monday cleared The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 that seeks to replace the ordinance to merge the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) cadre of civil services officer with the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre.
MoS Home G Kishan Reddy informed the Rajya Sabha that 157 terrorists were neutralised in 2019 and 221 were eliminated in 2020.
Urging the government to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and conduct elections as soon as possible, Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad said the state has terrible roads, deficient water supply and ceasefire violations have increased.
Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country which was counted in the Third World is developing COVID vaccine for the world. He said that even the poorest in the country have participated in the battle against COVID, urging people to not indulge in things that weaken the country, he says.
Parliament proceedings have resumed on Monday morning, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to deliver his response to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, after the Question Hour in the Upper House.
He is slated to begin speaking at 10.30 am.
Lok Sabha proceedings were a virtual washout on Friday as relentless protest by Opposition members against the Centre's three farm laws continued for the fourth consecutive day, even as signs emerged that normal functioning could resume from Monday.
On 3 February, Locket Chatterjee of the BJP had initiated the discussion on the Motion of Thanks but she could not complete her speech due to disruptions.
She has not yet resumed her speech.
While demanding repeal of the three laws, Opposition parties are also insisting on a stand alone debate on the farmers' issue. The government has maintained that Opposition can raise the farmers' issue during the debate on the Motion of Thanks.
On Friday, Lok Sabha was adjourned first till 6 pm after Opposition members disrupted the proceedings demanding repeal of the laws and shouted slogans from the Well of the House.
As soon as the House convened at 4 pm, members from the Congress, Left parties and the DMK rushed to the Well raising slogans against the new agri laws and holding placards.
Speaker Om Birla continued with the Question Hour with Health Minister Harsh Vardhan responding to supplementary questions on vaccination.
As Opposition members continued to raise slogans, Birla appealed to them to participate in the Question Hour as an important issue related to vaccination was being discussed.
While Congress, DMK and Left members were in the Well, members from the TMC did not participate in raising slogans. Trinamool Congress members remained seated on their benches.
Around 4.15 pm, Birla adjourned the House till 6 pm.
With no letup in the protests when the House reconvened in the evening, the Speaker adjourned its proceedings till Monday after his plea to opposition members to go back to their seats went unheeded.
With inputs from PTI
Subscribe to Moneycontrol Pro at ₹499 for the first year. Use code PRO499. Limited period offer. *T&C apply