Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw replied to the points raised by the parliamentarians during the discussion on Thursday.
Here are the latest updates
Rajya Sabha adjourned
Proceedings will resume on Friday at 11.00 a.m.
No privatisation of Railways has been planned, says Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
“This is a complex organisation with a social obligation,” the MP says.
“The past governments only had a “vision” for the Railways but we do the work,” says Ashwini Vaishaw.
The minister has made the statement in response to allegations by Opposition MPs. Derek O’Brien had earlier said that former Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee had an extensive vision when she headed the ministry but the current government lacks planning.
Only Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled the aspirations of the northeastern states: Ashwini Vaishnaw
“Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had initiated some development projects in the North-East but it wasn’t sufficient,” says the MP.
There is absolutely no question of discrimination against any state, Ashwini Vaishnaw says.
The Railway Minister asked the states to work together with the central government for the efficient operation of Railways.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addresses Rajya Sabha
The minister is replying to members of the Upper House after a discussion on the working of his ministry.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh points out discrepancies in the statements given by Railway Minister and Finance Minister about the privatisation of Railways.
“It’s unclear if Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman interact at all. Mr. Vaishnaw said in the Parliament that there will be no privatisation of Railways. Ms. Sitharaman, however, has said that around 26% of properties of the Railways will be sold,” the MP has said.
Abdul Wahab requests Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to form a separate Kerala Railway Zone.
In his address, Mr. Wahab says that the south is always discriminated against in comparison with the north, not just in India but around the world. He has added that even in South India, Kerala is specifically discriminated against, and the only way to deal with it is to form a separate zone for the state.
What is the “one big idea” for Railways that this government has had since 2014 which will sustain the test of time, asks MP Derek O’Brien.
The West Bengal MP has listed initiatives undertaken by previous Railway Ministers like Mamata Banerjee, Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar to draw comparisons with the current government. He has also said that the Vande Bharat Express -- the “big idea” of the government -- is not an economic option.
Mr. O’Brien has also raised objections to the inclusion of Railways Budget within the Union Budget.
Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings.
The Upper House is now discussing the working of the Ministry of Railways.
Rajya Sabha adjourns till 2 p.m.
S. Jaishankar briefs India’s stance on Ukraine war in 6 points
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in reply to a question about the war in Ukraine, says India’s stance regarding the issue is based on six principles:
- We call for immediate cessation of violence and end to all hositilities. We stand for peace.
- We believe that there is no other way than a return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy
- We believe we recognise that the global order is anchored on international law, UN charter and respect for terrotorial integrity and sovereignity of all states.
- We call for humanitarian access to a conflict situation
- We ourselves give humanitarian assistance. We have given 90 tonnes of humanitarian assistance so far and we are looking at providing more, especially medicines.
- We are in touch with the leadership of both Russian Federation and Ukraine on this matter. The Prime Minister himself has spoken with the Presidents of both countries.
To a follow-up question about the growing relations between Russia and China, Mr. Jaishankar says, the government is aware of the changes in international relations. “We monitor it, we obviously assess it from our own national perspective and fashion our strategy in accordance with those development,” he says.
Congress’ Jairam Ramesh asks if other states would be added in Tourism ministry’s Buddhist circuit
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says Odisha has a rich Buddhist heritage and asks if other states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Odisha will be included in the Tourism Ministry’s Buddhism circuit. He also says the circuit currently is restricted only to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
To this, G. Kishan Reddy says, the Centre would consider any such proposals from the respective state governments.
G. Kishan Reddy says 72 lakh tourists visited J&K since June 2021
To a question from Congress’ Shaktisinh Gohil during the Question Hour, Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy says 1.42 lakh tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir last month. He also says 1,280 flights arrived in Jammu alone last month and in Srinagar the number was 2,048. Since June 2021, around 72 lakh tourists have visited J&K, he also says.
Congress MP demands minute of silence for Rampurhat victims
P Bhattacharjee of Congress raises Rampurhat killings in Rajya Sabha. He says State government has ordered a probe but House should observe one minute silence for the victims.
Following this, Congress’ K.C. Venugopal alleges that Delhi Police manhandled him and some other members near Vijay Chowk while they were returning after attending a demonstration. Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu asks Mr. Venugopal to send a detailed note regarding the incident.
Congress’ Chhaya Verma says 21,000 women in Chhattisgarh yet to receive maternity benefits from Centre
“21,000 women in Chhattisgarh have not got maternity benefits by the Union government even after two years the Child was born. The forms are cumbersome, sometimes run into 40 pages,” Congress MP Chhaya Verma says during Zero Hour.
BJP MP pushes for ‘one nation one election’
BJP MP D.P. Vats says that ‘one nation one election’ should be implemented so that the country is not in a “continuous election” mode.
“In national interest, I request all parties including Opposition should build a consensus in larger interest that country should not be in a continuous election mode, thereby draining the national resources, one nation one election should be there,” he says.
TMC’s Faleiro says Goa ‘tourist destination, not coal destination’
Trinamool Congress MP Luizinho Faleiro, speaking during the Zero Hour, says “Goa is a tourist destination not a coal destination.” He also demands for the Major Ports Authority Act to be repealed.
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin with Zero Hour
Rajya Sabha proceedings begins for the day with Zero Hour. The House will discuss the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Railways among other business.
Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu says once 267 notice has not been permitted, it cannot be allowed again. The Chairman also disallows discussions on fuel price rise under Rule 267.
List of Business
- Papers and reports of the Parliamentary Standing Committee to be laid on the table
- Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, Science and Technology, to make statements on the status of implementation of recommendations of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology
- Question Hour
- Further discussion on the working of the Ministry of Railways, raised by Prasanna Acharya, on the 16th of March 2022
- Discussion on the working of the Ministry of Labour and Employment
- Arjun Munda, Minister of Tribal Affairs, to move the Bill further to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950
Day 7 recap
Rajya Sabha has been informed that the government has initiated the process of amendment to laws such as the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act.
The House passed Appropriation Bills for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir
The House was adjourned for an hour, 11 minutes after the proceedings began at 11 am as the Opposition members continued to protest with placards over rise in fuel prices.
