Proceedings on fifth day of the Monsoon Session were yet again marred by Opposition protests over price rise, GST on daily essentials and inflation leading to adjournment of both the Houses within minutes of start. The Lok Sabha, after reassembling, was adjourned again till 2 p.m. as Opposition protests continued. After the commencement of the Monsoon Session on July 18, both the Houses of the Parliament are yet to transact any significant business.
Earlier, on Day 4 of the Monsoon session on Thursday, the Lok Sabha was expected to take up the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 for consideration and passing; however, owing to empty Opposition benches, government requested the debate and passage of the Bill to be deferred for today.
Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha, which was expected to discuss the Weapon of Mass Destruction (Amendment) Bill on the fourth day, defererred the discussion to Monday as the government wished to pass the Bill with the participation of the Opposition.
The Lok Sabha passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022, and adjourned till Monday, while the Rajya Sabha took up Private Members’ Business for discussion.
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Here are the live updates:
Railway Ministry informs about trains cancelled and losses incurred during Agnipath protests
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Upper House in a written reply that 2,132 trains were cancelled during Agnipath protests between June 15 and June 23.
He also informed that Indian Railways suffered a loss of Rs 259.44 crores due to damage and destruction of its assets during the protests.- PTI
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 p.m. on Monday
The session will commence on 2 p.m. instead of 11 a.m. on Monday on account of the swearing-in ceremony of Droupadi Murmu as India’s 15th President.
House gives time to Special Mentions
AAP’s Sanjay Singh raises the issue of inflation and 5-18% GST on “basic necessities of the common man” such as flour, hospital rooms, curd, and withdrawal of cash from bank accounts.
NCP’s Fauzia Khan reiterates need to increase expenditure on health
MP Fauzia Khan of the Nationalist Congress Party says that the expenditure on health needs to be increased, in agreement with similar opinion expressed by other members previously. She says that the health spending in the country should “at least be 6%” of the gross domestic product (GDP). She also says that out-of-pocket payment remains the predominant mode for financing health care, particularly when 70% of the population is below the poverty line.
Further, she also urges the government to pay attention to the “exploitation” by hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. She says the government should control this by a collaborative approach aligning the existing schemes and policies. She also asks the Centre to allocate funds to help patients with rare diseases.
TRS K Keshava Rao backs Bill on the right to health
Participating in the debate on the Right to Health Bill, MP K Keshava Rao of the TRS noted that health is indeed a serious subject. “We must accept the spirit and content of the Bill. If not today, consider these issues when you formulate a policy in the future,” the MP told the Centre. The TRS MP also spoke on the consequences of pollution. “Pollution needs special attention. Although the Bill doesn’t speak about it, the problem is critical,” concluded the MP.
Congress's Rajani Ashokrao Patil slams Centre's handling of Covid crisis
Congress MP Rajani Ashokrao Patil congratulates RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha for introducing the right to health bill in Rajya Sabha. The Congress MP hit out at the Centre over COVID mismanagement, saying death certificates should carry a photo of PM Modi, like vaccination certificates.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana changing lives: MP Rakesh Sinha all praises for scheme
The MP praises PM Narendra Modi for transforming lives of women in India through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi scheme. He remembers the time he returned from the shop without buying sanitary napkins for his wife because there were too many people present.
India to have 3 doctors for every 1,000 people by 2025: BJP's Rakesh Sinha
Citing figures of doctors available in India, BJP MP Rakesh Sinha says India will have three doctors for every 1,000 people by 2025. "India shall cross the U.S. and stand with Australia...the world will see," the MP says. Slogans don't bring change in a society, fundamental reforms are needed, Mr. Sinha adds, taking a dig at the Opposition.
Earlier, in a reply in Lok Sabha, the Centre said the doctor-population ratio in the country is "better" than the WHO standards. Assuming 80 per cent availability of registered allopathic doctors and 5.65 lakh AYUSH doctors, the doctor-population ratio in the country is 1:834 which is better than the WHO standard of 1:1000, stated the Centre in a written reply.
Discussion begins on the Right to Health Bill
Discussion on the Right To Health Bill, 2021 is being held in the Upper House. Taking part in the discussion, BJP MP Rakesh Sinha has hit out at the Opposition for attacking the Centre based on a report by The Lancet. The MP claimed that China invested $10 million in The Lancet in 2010.
Right to health and life crucial, says RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha
In an impassioned speech in Rajya Sabha, MP Manoj Kumar Jha says commitment to public health is extremely important. The MP adds that the country needs a COVID memorial to act as a reminder of lives lost, mistakes made during the pandemic.
MP Manoj Kumar Jha moves motion for consideration of the Right To Health Bill, 2021.
Manoj Kumar Jha says the Bill seeks to provide for health as a fundamental right to all citizens and to ensure equitable access and maintenance of a standard of physical and mental health conducive to living a life in dignity and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, be taken into consideration. Saying that death doesn’t consider voting pattern, RJD MP urges the Centre Government to hold a discussion on the right to health.
Waqf act amendment, free education of children: private Members’ Bills being introduced in Rajya Sabha
Dr. Fauzia Khan has introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2022 to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2022 has been introduced by Dr. V. Sivadasan to amend the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. The MP also introduced the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (amendment of Articles 4, 55, 81 etc.).
Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 passed, House adjourned till Monday
The Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 was passed amid a chorus of protests by the Opposition. House stands adjourned till 2 p.m. on July 25, 2022.
Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings
Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings at 2:30 p.m. after adjourning post Opposition protests. The House has taken up the Private Members’ legislative business.
State of economy like Antartica: Congress MP
BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab continues speaking about the environmental and scientific importance of the Antarctic despite loud protests. Congress MP Adhir Ranjan compared the state of the economy to Antarctica and said that it should be discussed.
Must give effect to international treaties signed by us: BJP MP
BJP MP Jayant Sinha said that it was necessary to give effect to international treaties signed by India, through our laws.
He also spoke about the impact of global warming on the Antarctic, saying that 62 per cent of the world’s freshwater is in the Antarctic ice shield. Global warming is rising, up to 2-3 per cent, and this will cause the ice shield to melt, he said.
Pointing out that coastal cities in India will be affected by flooding in case of global warming, Mr. Sinha said that understanding the impact of global warming on Antarctic is important for India and the world.
He also highlighted that scientific missions to the continent were required, pointing out that 41 scientific missions have been undertaken to Antarctica by India and two Indian research stations are currently active on the continent.
Lok Sabha resumes proceedings with discussion of Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Independent Minister of State for Earth Sciences commences the discussion of the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022, as Opposition members continue to raise slogans. Rajendra Agrawal presides.
RS adjourned till 2:30 p.m.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2:30 p.m. amid an hour of proceedings that saw massive protests by the Opposition over rising prices, inflation, GST, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence.
Piyush Goyal speaks on wheat stock of country
Piyush Goyal says that India is the only country that has maintained a wheat stock balance amid the global foodgrain crisis. “If the opposition is still not ready to discuss such an important topic,” he said. Mr. Goyal further said that the Finance Minister is suffering from Covid and when she recovers, she will come back and discuss important topics. “But the Opposition’s behaviour is unacceptable.
Questions regarding agriculture, railways, dairy farming, among others raised in the Upper House
Questions were raised in the Upper House about government schemes regarding organic farming, pharmaceuticals, Dairy farming, and railways. Union Minister Anupriya Patel spoke about the increase in exports despite a trade deficit. She said the trade deficit is coming down and that many schemes are in place to increase trade.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 p.m.
Kirit Premjibhai Solanki, who is in the Chair, requests Opposition members to let the House function, but as uproar continues he declares the House to be adjourned till 2 p.m.
Proceedings resume in Rajya Sabha; Question hour underway
After first adjournment, proceedings begin as sloganeering and protests continue from Opposition benches in the Upper House. Even as Opposition members continue raising slogans, Question Hour underway in the Rajya Sabha.
AAP MP from Punjab Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal raises questions on farmers’ issue of MSP, stubble burning among others. Kailash Choudhary, MoS agriculture and farmers welfare, says the government has been holding meetings with State agriculture ministers to discuss the issues of farmers. Agriculture is a matter of States but the Centre is deploying many schemes for the welfare of farmers.
Protests grow louder. Opposition in the well with placards shouting slogans.
Opposition protests continue as proceedings resume in Lok Sabha
After first adjournment, proceedings begin in the Lower House as sloganeering and protests continue from Opposition benches. Matters Under Rule 377 underway in the Lower House even as sloganeering grow louder from the Opposition benches.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon
Amidst continued sloganeering and protests from Opposition benches, demanding repeal of GST from certain products and a discussion on inflation, Speaker Om Birla adjourns the House till 12 noon.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 noon
The Upper House was adjourned till 12 noon within minutes of the beginning of proceedings after Opposition protests.
Proceedings begin in Lok Sabha amidst continued Opposition protests
Members assemble and the proccedings for the day begin in the Lower House with sloganeering from the Opposition benches. Speaker Om Birla requests members to “let the house function”. Even as House starts functioning, Opposition members continue to raise slogans and placards against GST. “Have you come here for sloganeering or to raise issues pertaining to the public,” Speaker Om Birla asks Opposition members.
BJP’s Prahlad Joshi says that the govt. is ready for discussion on inflation once the Finance Minister is back, but “the Opposition does not want the House to function,” he alleges.
Day 5 proceedings begin in Rajya Sabha
Proceedings begin in the Rajya Sabha on Day 5 of the Monsoon Session.
Monsoon Session Day 4: the importance of Draupadi Murmu, Congress’ protests, power situation, and more | Parliament Watch podcast
In this episode of the Parliament Watch podcast, we cover the presidential election results, important written replies, and the continued protests and sloganeering in the parliament.
