The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill to provide a statutory framework for the functioning of the National Anti-Doping Agency and the National Dope Testing Laboratory for consideration and passage. The National Anti-Doping Bill, moved by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, seeks to strengthen measures to check drug abuse by sportspersons. The minister said the bill will give effect to a UN convention on anti-doping.
The Rajya Sabha on July 27 adopted a motion to suspend Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh for the remaining part of the week for his “unruly behaviour” in the House. This came a day after he tore some papers and threw them on the Chair during the Opposition’s protest in the Upper House.
Twenty Opposition MPs, who were suspended from the Rajya Sabha for disrupting proceedings, on Wednesday started a 50-hour-long protest inside the Parliament complex. The MPs are holding the relay protest near the Gandhi Statue and will stay at the site through the night, said TMC MP Dola Sen said, who is one of the suspended parliamentarians.
Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been adjourned for the day and will convene at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 28.
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Here are the updates:
The National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021, passed in Lok Sabha; House adjourned till 11 a.m. tomorrow
The National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021, was passed in Lok Sabha on July 27. Proceedings in the House stand adjourned till 11 a.m. tomorrow, July 28.
Voting on National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021, under way
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, during the discussion on The National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021, said, the Bill will boost India’s reputation. “The country will have special laws and anti-doping testing facilities. We need to widen the scope of doping investigations and increase the testing capacity of doping.
“We tied up with the National Forensic Science Laboratory. NADA has also developed a toolkit. India can become a hub of anti-doping testing. The data of any athlete will not go into the public domain. To increase efficiency NADA is working on a paperless dope control process, he added.
"In the last year, at least 100 awareness camps about doping were run across the country. NADA also successfully conducted hearings and stepped up the number of testing," he said.
18 MPs support National Anti-Doping Bill
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur thanked all 18 MPs who extended their support to the National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021. “If India wants to conduct more nationwide tournaments, we need to have our own doping laboratory and develop our institutional capacity... We will need more than one laboratory, and we will be working on that,” he said.
The Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports is currently responding to the discussion on the National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021.
Extending his support to the bill, BJP MP Ravi Kishan said sportspersons who use drugs should be ashamed. "We need a counsellor and a coach who create madness and hunger for the sport," he said.
Was seeking govt response on Gujarat hooch tragedy but got suspended: AAP MP Sanjay Singh
The AAP will continue to raise the “fundamental issues” of the masses, including spurious liquor sale in Gujarat, both in Parliament and on the streets, said party MP Sanjay Singh after his suspension from the Rajya Sabha.
Opposition appeals for revocation of Congress MPs suspension in Lok Sabha
The Opposition in Lok Sabha demanded the revocation of the suspension of the four Congress MPs, but the government insisted that it can be withdrawn provided the Opposition members give assurance that they will not enter the well or display placards in the House.
The demand was made by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The Congress members were not present in the House.
Several Congress MPs have been detained after staging a protest at Vijay Chowk against the alleged “misuse” of probe agencies.
Responding to the appeals by the opposition members, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, ”With the Speaker’s permission, we are ready to withdraw, but are you ready to take guarantee that they will not come inside with placards and will not come into the well”. - PTI
Lok Sabha takes up for consideration and passing National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur tables for consideration and passing the National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021 that would accord greater powers to the National Doping Agency Bill, 2022 for regulating anti-doping activities in sports. This would put it in line with UNESCO’s international convention against doping and compliance with such other obligations and commitments.
Also read: Explained | What are WADA and CAS?
Introducing the bill, the Sports Minister stated that the bill would reduce the dependency involved in sending samples of national players to foreign testing agencies, making India self-reliant. Additionally, the bill would provide for setting up a disciplinary panel which would consist of legal experts, medical practitioners and prominent athletes.
Doping refers to the use of performance enhancing substances by athletes. It may include cannabinoids, narcotics, stimulants, hormone and metabolic modulators, among a host of other substances.
TMC MP Saugata Roy urges Government to withdraw Agnipath scheme
During the zero hour, Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy from Dum Dum (West Bengal) urged that the Government reconsider and withdraw the Agnipath scheme for recruitment to the armed forces. He argued that besides jeopardising the careers of several youth, the scheme also has the potential to disturb law and order. The enrolees are recruited for a period of four years with no retirement benefits such as pension and medical insurance. Pointing to the fact that only 25% of recruits would be absorbed for 15 years with the rest being freed, he argued that the scheme has evoked fears that the recruitment scheme does not bode well for their careers.
With regard to security concerns, Mr. Roy said that having received specialised training in arms and weapons, and rendered unemployed, the youth could potentially take to crime to fulfill their basic needs.
Also read: Anti-Agnipath protests turn violent
It was informed previously in a written reply that Indian Railways had suffered losses worth ₹259.44 crore owing to damage/destruction of rail property and assets in 2022. While the precise damage following the launch of the Agnipath scheme could not be ascertained, Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had stated in the reply, that between June 14 and June 30, Indian Rail had to process refunds of approximately ₹102.96 crore on account of train cancellations.
Rajya Sabha likely to discuss price rise next week
The Rajya Sabha is likely to discuss the price rise issue early next week. This was decided after ten members of Opposition parties met Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday, July 27. The issue of revoking the suspension of 19 members of the House was also discussed, according to a senior Rajya Sabha official. - Vijaita Singh
NCP MP Supriya Sule and TMC MP Sudip Bandhopadhyay demand that suspension of four MPs be reconsidered
NCP MP Supriya Sule and Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandhopadhyay demanded that the suspension of the four MPs be revoked. Mr. Bandopadhyay, pointing to the fact that the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had agreed to a debate, requested that the suspension be withdrawn and the debate be conducted to sort out the issue. Mr. Joshi responded saying the Government is ready to take up the discussion sought if the opposition benches put forth an assurance that they do not storm into the well of the house, holding placards and sloganeering. Both Ms. Sule and Mr. Bandopadhyay assured the minister of the same, on behalf of their parties.
Earlier this week, four Congress MPs including Manickam Tagore, T.N. Prathapan, Jothimani and Ramiya Haridas were suspended for the remainder of the Monsoon Session. This was carried out as per Rule 374 for obstructing the proceedings of the House.
20 suspended RS MPs begin 50-hour protest in Parliament complex
Twenty Opposition MPs, who were suspended from the Rajya Sabha for disrupting proceedings, on Wednesday started a 50-hour-long protest inside the Parliament complex.
Lok Sabha commences post adjournment
House commences post adjournment with member Rama Devi in the chair. The house is taking up matters under Rule 377. Opposition benches continue to demand a discussion on price rise and GST.
Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings; adjourned within minutes amid protests
The Upper House resumed and adjourned proceedings for the day amid protests by the Opposition, with Bhubaneswar Kalita in the Chair. Opposition MPs protested the suspension of AAP MP Sanjay Singh. The House will meet next at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 28.
Also read: 20 suspended RS MPs begin 50-hour protest in Parliament complex
Exports affected due to Russia-Ukraine war: Govt in Lok Sabha
On impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, the Government said in a written reply that exports of a few products like pharmaceuticals, telecom instruments, tea, coffee, marine products, etc have been affected. However, the Centre added that bilateral trade with Russia has improved in comparison to the corresponding period last year.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 p.m.
As AAP MP Sanjay Singh protests his suspension, Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 p.m.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 p.m.
Ruckus continues in Lok Sabha as members of the Opposition resorted to sloganeering. Kirit Premjibhai Solanki, who was in the Chair, adjourned the House till 2 p.m.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh suspended for remainder session
Invoking Rule 256 for displaying placards in the Well of the House on Tuesday, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh suspends AAP MP Sanjay Singh for the remainder of the Monsoon Session. Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 12:18 p.m.
Lok Sabha resumes proceedings
The Lower House has resumed proceedings after the Speaker adjourned Lok Sabha till 12 noon due to protests and sloganeering by the Opposition. In the Chair is Kirit Premjibhai Solanki.
Speaker warns as protesting MPs resort to sloganeering, adjourns House till 12 noon
A visibly miffed Speaker Om Birla warned protesting members of the Opposition not to disrupt proceedings of the House. “Do not violate norms. If you wish to strengthen the Parliamentary democracy, participate. Don’t resort to sloganeering. This is not appropriate for democracy. Respect rules and procedures that have been framed by you,” the Speaker said, as he urged protesting MPs to return to their seats.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister informed the Lok Sabha that the Finance Minister has reached the Parliament. “The Government is ready to discuss price rise. If the Chair decides to hold the discussion today, we are ready,” the minister said.
As protests continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till 12 noon.
Question Hour in Lok Sabha
Members of Opposition raise slogans ‘We want justice’, ‘Modi Govt down down’ as the House takes up Question Hour.
Notices moved by Opposition MPs rejected, Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 noon
House Chairman Venkaiah Naidu rejects suspension notices issued by MPs — Sanjay Singh, Tiruchi Siva, Shaktisinh Gohil and others — on GST hike and price rise. House has been adjourned till 12 noon after papers were laid by various MPs
Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings
In the absence of 19 suspended MPs, the Upper House began proceedings for the eighth day
Proceedings begin in Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha has reconvened. Speaker Om Birla is in the Chair. Members of the Opposition are raising slogans, asking the Chair to revoke suspension of MPs. The Lower House was adjourned Tuesday evening following protests and sloganeering by opposition MPs over price rise and GST on essential commodities.
Legislative business in Rajya Sabha
Bill for consideration and passing | Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022 which has already been tabled by Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is up for passage
The Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 which provides for the national measures for protecting the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems and to give effect to the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty will be moved by Union Minister Dr. Jitender Singh for consideration
Legislative business in Lok Sabha
Bill for consideration and passing | The National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021: Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur to move the Bill to provide for the constitution of the National Anti-Doping Agency for regulating anti-doping activities in sports and to give effect to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisaton International Convention against doping in sport.
Discussion under Rule 193:
The need to promote sports in the country and the steps taken by the government.
Notices in Parliament today
Rajya Sabha: While AAP MP Sanjay Singh has given suspension of business notice under Rule 267 over deaths due to spurious liquor in Gujarat, DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva has given a noticeover the hike in price of petroleum products. Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil, meanwhile, has also given suspension of business notice over deaths due to spurious liquor in Gujarat
Lok Sabha: Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh has given adjournment motion notice over “the blatant misuse of investigation agencies by Union govt to exact political vendetta against Congress President Sonia Gandhi”, as per ANI.
Parliament Watch podcast | Monsoon Session Day 7
In this episode of the Parliament Watch podcast, we cover the suspension of Rajya Sabha MPs, disruption in the parliament due to protests, and the Family Court (Amendment) Bill.
