Both the Houses will continue with the Motion of Thanks on the President's address for the second consecutive day.
The third day saw Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, and Mallikarjun Kharge in the Rajya Sabha leading discussions on the same.
Here are the latest updates:
Jawahar Sircar (AITC) says "We have never gone through such a bad patch"
The printed word and flowery language do not mean much to those who go hungry, he adds speaking on unemployment. "The bottom half of India has lost what they had holding only 13% of the National wealth," he says.
'PM Modi did not create a single PSU and he privatised 23 PSUs'
Ripun Bora (INC) says that economy was badly devastated by the pandemic.
Since President’s address is the roadmap, people were expecting ways and measures on how to recover, nothing was mentioned in his address. 84 crore people’s income has come down drastically during pandemic but President’s address did not mention anything about it. Under UPA government, 27 crore people were pulled out of poverty.
Now, five crore more people have been pushed below poverty line. Not a single word on how to tackle price rise. The individual consumption has hugely declined.
There is a saying in our village- when a son wastes all the money and property, and has nothing else to spare, then he blames the father- what did my father do for me?
Rajiv Gandhi created 16 PSUs, no privatisation, Vajpayee created 17 PSUs, Manmohan Singh created 23 PSUS, only three privatisation, PM Modi did not create a single PSU and he privatised 23 PSUs- Vijaita Singh
Mr. Bora brings up the issue of AFSPA, and Mon killings. "Normally military is used against foreign aggression, but our military has killed our own people," he says pointing out that Naga peace talks have not yielded any result.
As per NCRB report, crime against Scheduled caste and Scheduled Tribe people there has seen an increase. "If we cannot protect them, where is the empowerment," he says.
'What kind of house will be made of Rs. 55,000'
Ajit Kumar Bhuyan speaks against the motion to question budgetary allocations, specifically to PM Awas Yojana. "I do not understand what kind of house will be of Rs. 55,000 specially in the hilly areas."
I am afraid nation has to wait 25 more years for the 'achche din' to arrive, he says.
Ram Nath Thakur (JD-U)- Asks the Union government to speak to Nepal to address the problems of flooding in Bihar. Demands special package for Bihar.
Government should help the unemployed youth so that prosperity comes to India.- Vijaita Singh
'Failed to mention attack on mionirites'
Abdul Wahab (IUML) raises to address the House.
He says that Mr. Naqvi failed to mention attack on minority communities in his speech. Mr. Wahab recalls that Muslim women were auctioned online and statues of Jesus Christ damaged.
"There is increasing inequality in our society, in social and economic terms," he says.
He urges government to increase MPLADS funds, opposing the motion.
'Need to get out of hangover of thinking of Indira is India and India is Indira'
Speaking on Motion of Thanks, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi says it is being said there are two Indias.
We need to get out of hangover of thinking of Indira is India and India is Indira and Congress is country and country is Congress, he says.
Mr. Naqvi goes on to speak on how the situation has changed.
Eight years ago, PMO was being run from somewhere else. Today the PM is strong, he adds.
One India is of sanatani thinking and the other of samanti (feudal), Mr. Naqvi says.
Narendra Modi ended the red beacon culture, he says- Damini Nath
After becoming Prime Minister, Narendra Modi made laws that were needed and removed those that were not of use, he adds.
"Week of riots" and "Months of terrorist blasts" have come to an end, Mr. Naqvi says, adding that this is something that people should be proud of.
"There was a time when decisions of Supreme Court were rendered ineffectual," Mr. Naqvi says. To make Supreme Court's decision on Triple Talaq effective we brought forth the law, he adds.
Mr. Naqvi now speaks on Article 370, saying that under the Modi government the law which cut off J&K from the country' s stream of development was removed.
Mr. Naqvi says because of CAA, we brought minorities from Afghanistan after Taliban takeover to India safely- Damini Nath
'Vaccination, a great milestone for the governement'
Birendra Prasad Baishya (AGP) congratulates the government on achieving vaccine milestone. "It is a great success for the government," he says. He recalls how in the first wave, India was in need of resources, however within the last year India has turned into an exporter of medicines.
Mr. Baishya brings up the achievements of the country in Tokyo Olympics.
'Threats have not diminished'
A.D. Singh (RJD) rises to address the House.
He urges the government to inform the House action taken against "those who called for genocide".
"A strong government cannot be seen as bowing down to a handful of fringe elements," he says.
Mr. Singh brings up the 2020 Ladakh Valley clash, saying, "Threats have not diminished." Further, he points out that the post of CDS has been lying vacant since the death of General Bipin Rawat.
Motion of Thanks begins
Discussion on Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address starts. AIADMK MP M. Thambidurai congratulates Modi government on dealing with COVID-19 pandemic. - Damini Nath
He appreaciates the level of Foreign Direct Investments and the success of PM Jan Dhan Yojana. "The collateral free loans given to MSMEs have helped the economy," he says.
Mr. Thambidurai lists out various financial scheme packages given by the government.
He then turns to speak on the "plight of fishermen" from Tamil Nadu. "Recently Sri Lanka government seized boats of our fishermen," he says urging the government to settle the issue.
Mr. Thambidurai raises the issue of NEET exemption.
On MediaOne issue
K.C. Venugopal raises a question on anti-national content on News Channels and MediaOne asking what “crime” the channel has committed.
MoS Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan says MediaOne issue is sub judice responds
"We are in 1975, we are not in Emergency," Mr. Murugan said eliciting strong response from the opposition
Status of Marathi as Classical Language
To a question on Marathi being given the status of Classical language, MoS Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal says a decision on declaring Marathi as a classical language will be taken soon, inter-ministerial dialogue is on. -Damini Nath
'Historical Responsibility of those who have left the environment polluted'
Speaking on India's ranking amongst most-polluted countries, Bhupender Yadav says, "Those who are crowding the carbon space after polluting the environment, why is there historical responsibility not considered. Secondly we comprise 4% of carbon emission despite making up 17% of the world population," he says.
On Environmental Clearances
To a question on Environmental Clearances, Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change responds "The modifications to the Environmental clearance process are necessary to promote Ease of Doing Business."
On number of women judges in the country
Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Law Justice informs the House, out of total 34 judges in the Supreme Court, we have for the first time 4 women judges. Out of 1098 judges in High Courts, we have 83 women judges.
"We have been stressing time and again, that while recommending names preferences may be given to women, backward classes, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe," he says.
On Indian workers in Gulf countries
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, in response to a question about loss of wages of Indians working abroad, says the data of pending salaries not available but he is taking up the matter with Gulf countries. "Would like to assure that retaining employment, ensuring wages are paid, and ensuring welfare is our priority" he says.
Our objective is to get as many workers as possible back to work, he adds.
Question Hour begins
Question Hour commences in the Rajya Sabha.
Privilege notice against IT Minister
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu says he is examining the privilege notice against IT Minister- Damini Nath
'States getting addicted to tax being collected from sale of alcohol'
Vikas Mahatme (BJP) speaks on 'Sin Tax items'. "The tax being collected should be increased. Delhi and Maharashtra have brought in various changes including home delivery of [in Delhi] and sale in malls [in Maharashtra]. State governments are getting addicted to tax collection from this item," he says.
'India's map on WHO website incorrect'
Dr Santanu Sen (Trinamool Congress) during Zero Hour says as a doctor he checks the WHO COVID-19 site for data. The map on the site showed parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as outside India. He says the government should have been vigilant, when they are using Pegaus to spy on their own Ministers.- Damini Nath
Zero Hour
Members currently raising matters pertaining to PM Awas Yojana.
'Disruption-free proceedings after long gap'
"Yesterday Rajya Sabha witnessed disruption-free proceedings after long gap," Chairman Naidu says addressing the members. "I hope this spirit will continue to prevail," he adds
Papers being laid on the Table
Memebrs of the Parliament lay on the Table of the House, Papers and Reports
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu starts the proceedings for the day with obit reference to Jamana Devi Barupal
List of Business in Rajya Sabha (10.00 a.m.)
1. Papers to be laid on the table
3. Question Hour
4. Motion of Thanks on the President's address
List of Business in Lok Sabha (4.00 p.m.)
1. Question Hour
2. Papers to be laid on Table
2. Motion of Thanks on the President's address
Day 3 recap
The day following the Budget presentation saw both the Houses carry out the Motion of Thanks on the President's address.
In the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke on job losses, unemployment, MSME sector and Foreign Policy. Over the day, MPs brought up the Pegasus, Mon District killings, and the Amar Jawan Jyoti.
In the Rajya Sabha, Smriti Irani answered questions regarding marital rape. Mallikarjun Kharge, Tiruchi Siva, Ram Gopal Yadav, and Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya spoke on Motion of Thanks to the President's address.