The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment)Bill, 2021 will be taken up in the Rajya Sabha today. The House was adjourned twice yesterday following protests by the Opposition against the bill that seeks to give more powers to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
The Lok Sabha will discuss The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill and The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill. The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill will be introduced in the house today.
The first part of the Budget Session of Parliament, which commenced with the address of President Ram Nath Kovind on January 29, concluded on February 29. The second part of the Budget Session began March 7.
Here are the latest updates:
Ranjit Reddy of TRS asks for expediting the second phase of Hyderabad to Vikarabad railway line.
Piyush Goyal, Minister for Railways, says that the Centre is only a 33% partner, and State hasn’t provided enough funds for the second phase and railways has landed in a deficit.
Manoj Kotak of BJP says passengers have asked for trains to run on PPP basis in the entire country. "What are the plans of the railways?"
Mr. Goyal says, "We have given details of 150 such routes and they cover almost the entire country."
Mr. Kotak further asks if goods trains will be included under PPP. Mr. Goyal says, "Work on dedicated freight corridors is on. We hope to complete all of it by the time we hit the 75th anniversary of independence. CONCOR is already running private goods trains with around 17 companies."
Faizal Mohammad of NCP asks who will recruit employees for trains run under PPP models.
Mr. Goyal says that employment for mainline running of trains will be by the Railways, allied services on these trains (hospitality, etc.,) will be from the partner companies. "Maintenance will be from private operator, while driver and guard will be provided by the Railways."
Sanjay Seth of BJP asks, "What are the plans for DMFT funds to be used for environmental protection?"
Minister Joshi responds that Jharkhand has used only around 40-45% of the DMFT funds. "Rs. 690 crores have been sanctioned for environmental projects in the State and around Rs. 200 crores have been spent, but this is very much under the remit of the State government."
Mr. Seth says, "McCluskieganj was known as mini London but now it’s in a bad state due to mining, can tourism be encouraged there?" Mr. Joshi says, "DMFT funds can be used for the purpose. When MPs become members of the DMFT, do push for these projects."
Avinash Reddy of YSRCP seeks clarificatuon on control of DMFT funds by Centre.
The Finance Bill 2021 is moved by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman/
The debate will go on for 9 hours.
Deependra Singh Hooda of Congress says, "Before I begin talking about the Finance Bill, I need to place things in context. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy was slipping down. We had a slowdown over eight quarters straight. During UPA, average GDP growth rate was 7.8%. And in your 6 years before the pandemic, the growth rate was 6.8%. Industrial growth rate in UPA was 4% in your time it is 2%."
"Private consumption growth during the UPA was 24% which came down to 9%. And this is pre-pandemic figure. So there was no demand."
Continuing, Mr. Hooda says, "Now let me speak about exports. You gave the slogan of Make in India. In the UPA era, the export growth rate was nearly 21% and now it is down to 4%. Even the government expenditure has come down. Demonetisation first shook the economy and then the mismanagement of GST pushed it to the brink and the pandemic sent the economy into ICU."
Mr. Hooda qoutes many economists including Raghuram Rajan and others to point out that the economy was in shambles even before the COVID-19 pandemic. "In comparison to the world, India has the highest negative GDP growth. This was also responsible for widening the economic difference between rich and the poor. India also has the highest unemployment rate. And the rescue package was the smallest offered by any government across the world. Now you claim that the Economy is getting back on track."
Mr. Hooda says the government has been taxing the common man, with highest fuel cess in the world. "But the govt. is barely giving anything in return to the people. There is no demand in economy. You didn't heed our advice of regenerating . "The rating agencies," Mr. Hooda says, "are threatening to downgrade India's rating once again."
Proceedings in the House resume.
Yesterday evening, there was a meeting and it was decided that there will be no Zero and Question Hour. "First, the Finance Bill will be taken up," Mr. Naidu informs the House.
RJD Member Manoj K. Jha tries to raise the issue of lathicharge at Bihar Opposition MLAs in Patna. But the Chairman refuses to allow him to move the adjournment motion.
Mallikarjun Kharge of Congress says, "It is up to your discretion, but if there is injustice in a State then we should be allowed to take it up."
Mr. Naidu says, "Yesterday, someone wanted to take up the Maharashtra issue. I didn't allow that. Today, you want to discuss Bihar. Let's have a meeting and may be we should come to a consensus on whether State issues can be discussed here."
Lok Sabha commences for the day.
Midhun Reddy is in the chair.
Question Hour begins.
Ramesh Chandra Majhi of BJD asks a supplementary question on when the government is expected to fix royalty rates on mining products.
Pralhad Joshi, Minister, Mines, in reply says, "it isn’t mandatory that royalty has to be revised once in three years. Our tax rates on mining products is also one of the highest in the world. We have proposed to set up a committee to look at index based royalty calculation. I would encourage States, therefore, to ease their auction processes."
Mr. Majhi asks when the study group will submit its report. The Minster replies that the report was submitted in July 2019.
Hasnain Masoodi of NC asks, "Pulwama district has one of the biggest deposits of limestone and we have only heard of DMFT, and other revenues from the 10 or more cement companies there. Any details available?"
Mr. Joshi responds, "The DMFT is deposited with the district magistrate. In J&K, Rs. 32 crores was collected and Rs. 23 crores has been sent . The new mining amendments are there to encourage spending of the funds and MPs are to be compulsorily part of DMFT committee."
Jugal Kishore Sharma of BJP says labourers in coal mines are complaining that they are not getting paid properly. Mr. Joshi says mine labour is looked after by State governments. "Overall labour safety is looked at by Labour Ministry. Specific complaints can be sent and we will enquire into it."
Proceedings begin in the House.
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu makes the Obituary Reference. "A. Mohammedjan was simple, polite and duty-minded," Mr. Naidu says. Members stand up and maintain silence as a mark of respect.
The House is adjourned till 11 a.m.
Obituary reference to the passing away of A. Mohammedjan, sitting Member to be made in the House.
Legislative business
Bill for consideration and passing
The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment)Bill, 2021
Legislative business
Bill to be introduced
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2021
Bills for consideration and passing
The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2021
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, 2021