Tag: Parliament

Sonia Gandhi Rajya Sabha Nomination

Sonia Seeks Immediate Implementation Of Women Quota Bill

By LokMarg

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday began the discussion on the Women’s Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha on the third day of the special session of Parliament.

Extending her support to the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023’ Bill, Sonia Gandhi demanded its immediate implementation.

She said that a delay in implementing the bill is a gross unfairness to the women of the country.

“I stand in support of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhinyam 2023. Women are being told that they will have to wait more for this bill to become law. we demand that the bill be made a law immediately. As a delay in implementing the bill is a gross unfairness to women in the country. I appeal to the Government to do this immediately,” Sonia Gandhi said in Lok Sabha.

She also demanded the conducting of a caste census to ensure the participation of women belonging to Other Backward Class/Scheduled Caste (OBC/SC) communities.

Ahead of her speech in Lok Sabha Sonia Gandhi said, “It was Rajiv ji’s (Gandhi’s) dream (Bill).”

“This is an emotional moment of my own life as well. For the first time, Constitutional amendment to decide women’s representation in local body election was brought by my life partner Rajiv Gandhi. It was defeated in Rajya Sabha by seven votes. Later, Congress Government, under the leadership of PM PV Narasimha Rao, passed it in Rajya Sabha. As a result, we have 15 lakh elected women leaders across the country through local bodies. Rajiv Gandhi’s dream is only partially complete. It will complete with the passing of this Bill,” Sonia Gandhi said in Lok Sabha. 

She said the Congress party supports this Bill and is happy regarding the passage of the Bill but said there were concerns.

“I would like to ask a question. Indian women have been waiting for their political responsibilities for the last 13 years. Now they are being asked to wait for a few more years. How many years? Is this behaviour with Indian women appropriate? INC demands that the Bill be implemented with immediate effect but Caste census should also be done and arrangement for reservation of SC, ST and OBC women should be made…” Sonia Gandhi said.

Discussion for passing of the Bill in the House began today at 11 with Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introducing the amendments in the Bill.

The Bill will be taken up in Rajya Sabha on September 21, government sources said. (ANI)

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Women Reservation Bill Parliament

Pass Women Quota Bill During Special Parl Session: Cong

By LokMarg

A day ahead of the week-long special session of Parliament, the Congress party has yet again raised their demand for a greater reservation for women in legislative roles.

In a post on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the Congress Working Committee demands that the Women’s Reservation Bill must be passed during the special session of Parliament.

Praising the previous Congress governments, Jairam Ramesh said former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi first introduced Constitution Amendment Bills for one-third reservation in panchayats and nagarpalikas in May 1989 — which passed in Lok Sabha but failed in Rajya Sabha.

“Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao reintroduced Constitution Amendment Bills for one-third reservation for women in panchayats and nagarpalikas in April 1993. Both Bills passed and became law. Now there are more than 15 lakh elected women representatives in panchayats and nagarpalikas,” he said.

Former PM Manmohan Singh brought the Constitution Amendment Bill for one-third reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures. The Bill was passed on March 9, 2010 in the Rajya Sabha but was not taken up in Lok Sabha.

“Bills introduced/ passed in Rajya Sabha do not lapse. Women’s Reservation Bill is still very much active. The Congress party has for the past nine years been demanding that the Women’s Reservation Bill already passed by the Rajya Sabha should now get passed by the Lok Sabha as well,” Jairma Ramesh wrote on X.

As per the Parliamentary Bulletin, released on Wednesday, a discussion on “Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha – Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings” will be held in Parliament on the first day of the five-sitting long special session starting tomorrow.

Also, four bills including a Bill to regulate the appointment, conditions of service, and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are part of the legislative business of the government for the session.

The other bills to be taken up include ‘The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023’ and ‘The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023’, which were already passed by Rajya Sabha on August 3, 2023.

‘The Post Office Bill, 2023’ has also been listed in the Lok Sabha business. The bill was earlier introduced in Rajya Sabha on August 10, 2023 and it repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898. (ANI)

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Special Session Parliament

Special Session Of Parliament: Govt Calls All-Party Meet On Sept 17

By LokMarg

Ahead of the special session of Parliament, a meeting of the floor leaders of all parties has been called on September 17, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi informed on Wednesday.

A five-day special session of the Parliament will be held from September 18 to 22.

“Ahead of the parliament session from the 18th of this month, an all-party floor leaders meeting has been convened on the 17th at 4.30 PM,” Minister Pralhad Joshi posted on social media platform X, (Formerly Twitter).

“The invitation for the same has been sent to concerned leaders through email. Letter to follow,” he added.

The opposition has also criticised the BJP-led central government for calling a special session of Parliament without disclosing the agenda.

Earlier, the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister informed about the five-day special session of Parliament from September 18-22.

The agenda for the special session was however not revealed yet.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which concluded last month, was held in the old Parliament building. The announcement of the Special Session came as a surprise in political circles with the parties gearing up for assembly polls in five states later this year. (ANI)

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Special Parl Session

Spl Parl Session To Start In Old Building, Move On To New One

By LokMarg

The special session of Parliament will start in the old building on September 18 and will be later moved to the new building on September 19 on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, sources said. 

The Centre has called for a special session of Parliament for five days between September 18 and 22.

Meanwhile, 24 parties of the INDIA bloc have agreed to participate in the special session of the Parliament scheduled to begin on September 18. Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi will be writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of these 24 parties, sources said.

This decision was taken at a meeting of INDIA bloc floor leaders.

The meeting of floor leaders of the INDIA bloc parties was held at the residence of Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi on Monday evening.

Issues that will be raised by the opposition parties in the Special Session of the Parliament were also finalised in the meeting. These issues will be given in writing to the government through the Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, said sources.

Earlier last week, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi informed about the five-day special session of Parliament from September 18-22.

The agenda for the special session, has however not been revealed yet.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which concluded last month, was held in the old Parliament building. The announcement of the special session came as a surprise in political circles with the parties gearing up for assembly polls in five states later this year. (ANI)

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China In Special Session

Discuss China In Special Session: Raut Takes Dig At Modi

By LokMarg

Shiv Sena (UBT-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader on Sunday took a potshot at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the alleged Chinese intrusion in Ladakh. 

Raut said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should discuss China in the special session of the parliament without any fear. 

Taking to ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter), Raut said, “It has been learned that PM Modi has called for a special session of the parliament in the ‘Amrit Kaal’ to discuss China’s occupation of India’s land and the publication of the map of the newly occupied part”. 

“Discuss China in the special session without any fear. We will support the government in this discussion”, Raut added. 

Earlier, Congress MP Raul Gandhi, during his visit to Ladakh hit out at the Centre saying that its claim that not an inch of Indian land was taken by China’s People Liberation Army (PLA) troops “is not true”.

The Congress MP claimed the locals, too, contend that Indian territory was intruded upon and taken by the Chinese troops, adding that it was a matter of concern.

“The locals here are concerned about China taking our land. They have said that the Chinese troops took away their grazing land. However, the PM says not an inch of land was taken away. This is not true, you can ask anyone here,” Rahul had said.

Responding to Rahul’s remark, Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, earlier, took a jibe at the former stating that nobody takes his statements seriously. 

“I think Rahul Gandhi should delve into the history of land losses during his grandfather’s, grandmother’s, and father’s tenures. And all the land that was lost was during that time. No one takes Rahul Gandhi’s statements seriously,” Shekhawat had said.

Meanwhile, the Modi government called for a special session between September 18 to 20. 

The monsoon session of parliament, which concluded last month, was held in the old Parliament building.

The announcement of the Special Session came as a surprise in political circles with the parties gearing up for assembly polls in five states later this year.

The winter session of Parliament usually begins in the last week of November. (ANI)

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Eight-Member Committee

Eight-Member Committee To Examine ‘One Nation, One Election’ Headed By Kovind

By LokMarg

The Centre on Saturday constituted an eight-member High-Level Committee to examine the issue of ‘one nation, one election’ and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections in the country.

Apart from former President Ram Nath Kovind, who is Chairman, the committee comprises Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Ahir Ranjan Chowdhury, former Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Finance Commission Chairman NK Singh, former Lok Sabha Secretary General Subhash C Kashyap, Senior Advocate Harish Salve and former Chief Vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari.  

A government notification said that Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will attend the meetings of the High-Level Committee as a special invitee.

The committee has been set up months before assembly polls in five states and ahead of Lok Sabha polls next year.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had informed about the constitution of the committee on Friday.  

“Right now, a committee has been constituted. A report from the committee will come out which will be discussed. The Parliament is mature, and discussions will take place, there is no need to get nervous. India is called the mother of democracy, there is always an evolution. I will discuss the agenda of the Special session of Parliament,” he said. (ANI)

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Numbers Needed to stop BJP

Special Session Of Parliament Was Not Called When Manipur Was Burning: Kharge

By LokMarg

A day after the Narendra Modi government has called for a “special session of Parliament” to be held from September 18 to 22, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday attacked the central government for the move and said the special session of Parliament was not called when Manipur was burning adding that the country is  “going towards dictatorship”.

“Today, without asking anyone in the opposition, a special session of Parliament has been called. A special session of Parliament was never called even when Manipur was burning, during the COVID-19 pandemic, on the issue of China or over issues of demonetisation and migrant labourers,” Kharge said while addressing a press conference after the INDIA alliance meeting.

“I don’t what is the agenda now. This is not the way to run the country. We are slowly going towards dictatorship,” he added. 

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday informed that a five-day special session of Parliament from September 18 to 22. The agenda for this special session, however, was not revealed.

Congress President further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will never work for the poor and that the aim of the INDIA bloc is to fight against unemployment, rising fuel prices and other public welfare issues. 

“All parties conducted this meeting well. A structure was formed for the alliance during talks at my residence earlier, in the Patna meeting an agenda was set and now in Mumbai, everyone has kept their views before each other. Everyone has one aim – how to fight unemployment and rising fuel prices and LPG cylinder costs?” he said. 

“They (BJP) first increased the prices and reduced the price marginally…I can say that Modi ji will never work for the poor. Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi showed a report on how Adani’s income has increased,” he added. 

After the meeting of the Opposition INDIA alliance, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Friday said that a resolution has been passed and four main committees have been formed. 

“We have passed some important resolutions too. INDIA Alliance Coordination Committee – a 14-member committee – has been structured,” Raut said. 

The 14-member Coordination Committee and Election Strategy Committee includes KC Venugopal (INC), Sharad Pawar (NCP), TR Baalu (DMK), Hemant Soren (JMM), Sanjay Raut (SS-UBT), Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Abhishek Banerjee (TMC), Raghav Chadha (AAP), Javed Ali Khan (SP), Lalan Singh (JDU), D Raja (CPI), Omar Abdullah (NC), Mehbooba Mufti (PDP), one more member from CPI(M) to also be announced.

Earlier, the constituent parties in the Opposition INDIA alliance on Friday decided to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election together “as far as possible”, said the alliance’s resolution taken during its third strategic meeting being held in Mumbai.

The resolution also said that the parties will “organize public rallies at the earliest in different parts of the country on issues of public concern and importance”.

The third formal meeting of the opposition bloc INDIA alliance began on Friday with the aim of coming up with an action plan for the next Lok Sabha Polls.

The first meeting of the joint opposition was held in Patna on June 23 and the second meeting was held in Bengaluru on July 17-18. (ANI)

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Congress MP Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Arrives In Parliament After His LS M’ship Reinstated

By LokMarg

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi arrived in Parliament on Monday after the Lok Sabha secretariat revoked his suspension from the House today.

Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) alliance leaders raised ‘Rahul Gandhi Zindabad’ slogans as they welcomed him to Parliament.

Upon reaching Parliament House, the Congress leader paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

He also updated his account bio on X (formerly known as Twitter) from ‘Dis’Qualified MP’ to ‘Member of Parliament’.

Congress leaders were also seen distributing sweets outside the Parliament.

Earlier today Lok Sabha Secretariat Gandhi’s membership after Supreme Court had on August 4 stayed his conviction in the ‘Modi’ surname remark case.

The apex court issued notices to the Gujarat government and the complainant in July on an appeal of the Congress leader challenging the Gujarat High Court order.

The Gujarat High Court, had, in its order earlier, declined to stay his conviction in the criminal defamation case in which Rahul was sentenced to two years in jail by the Surat court over the ‘Modi surname’ remark.

After his conviction in the case, Gandhi was disqualified as MP from Kerala’s Wayanad on March 24. (ANI)

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Monsoon Session: Parliament Adjourned Till Monday

By LokMarg

The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day on Friday, amid continued slogan-shouting from the Opposition benches over the demand for a discussion on the Manipur situation.

Earlier, on Friday, the Lower House was adjourned till 12 noon after convening at 11 am, as Opposition members continued to disrupt proceedings demanding that all listed businesses be set aside for a discussion on the Manipur situation.
Amid persistent uproar over Manipur and the motion of no-confidence against the Centre, both Houses were adjourned till 11 am on Monday.

Upon the resumption of the Parliament Monsoon Session on Friday, Opposition members in the Lok Sabha demanded an immediate discussion on the no-confidence motion, which was filed by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and accepted by Speaker Om Birla.

The Speaker called for Question Hour as the Lower House reconvened but the Opposition members kept disrupting proceedings demanding a discussion on Manipur and the motion of no confidence.

Citing a precedent from 1978, Congress Lok Sabha MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the Lower House, then, had allowed a debate on the no-confidence motion on the day it was tabled and admitted.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday reiterated that the government was ready to debate all issues raised by the Opposition but at a date and time decided by the Speaker, adding that the rules provide for a 10-day window.

The Speaker adjourned the House till 12 noon amid chaos.

Earlier, on Wednesday, speaker Om Birla had accepted the no-confidence motion that was filed by the Congress MP on behalf of the Opposition.

The Rajya Sabha, meanwhile, was also adjourned for the day after the Opposition members raised a ruckus over Manipur.

While in session, the Upper House recalled the contribution of Vinay Dinu Tendulkar, who retired on Friday. (ANI)

Modi on manipur issue

Modi Tears Into Opposition As Parliament Logjam Continues

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday came down heavily on the Opposition over the continued disruptions and ruckus in Parliament over the Manipur issue, claiming that their conduct suggests that they have decided to remain in the Opposition.

Addressing the BJP’s Parliamentary Party meeting earlier on Tuesday, PM Modi said, “From the Opposition’s conduct, it seems that they have decided to remain in the Opposition. We have to work in the interest of the public and move forward.”
He added that India’s image has been elevated before the world and the BJP will keep putting in the hard yards in this direction.

“Today, India’s image before the world has improved significantly and we are committed to keep working in this direction,” PM Modi added at the BJP meeting.

He further said that the government, under his leadership, will work to make India a ‘developed nation’ by the end of the ‘Amrit Kaal’ — 2047.

“By 2047, we will make India a developed country,” he said.

Also lashing out at the Opposition, senior BJP leader and former Union minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was poised to return to power in 2024.

Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Prasad said, “We are well on course to return to power in 2024. The country has set high hopes on us and the Opposition alliance knows it is not coming to power. This sad and tired Opposition will disintegrate further.”

The former Union minister informed further that PM Modi, during his address at the BJP meet, also took a dig at the Opposition over the name I.N.D.I.A.

“PM Modi said like the East India Company, the Indian National Congress was also founded by a foreigner. He said even the Indian Mujahideen and People’s Front of India (PFI) have the word India in them,” Prasad, the former Law Minister, said.

Meanwhile, on the suspension of AAP MP Sanjay Singh from the Rajya Sabha, BJP Lok Sabha member Manoj Tiwari compared his conduct in the Upper House with that of a street ruffian.

“This is how the ruffians from the streets behave when they get a chance to enter the Upper House,” Tiwari said.

The BJP’s Parliamentary Party meeting began earlier, on Tuesday, to chalk out a strategy to counter the Opposition’s ruckus in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

The meeting also featured discussions on crucial organisational matters with party MPs.

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned on Monday amidst uproarious scenes with the Opposition demanding a statement from the Prime Minister on the violence in Manipur.

The first two days of the monsoon session last week saw a similar ruckus leading to almost no business in both Houses.

Significantly the members of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A), also held a meeting on Tuesday at the office of Congress national president and the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge to chalk out a floor management strategy before the Upper House goes into session.

The Monsoon Session, which began on July 20, with a long list of legislative businesses on the agenda, has seen repeated adjournments in the face of Opposition protests, sloganeering, and ruckus by members of the fledgling grand Opposition alliance over its demand for a statement from PM Modi on the Manipur situation. (ANI)

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