Tag: RAJYA SABHA

Election Commissioner Bill

Govt To Introduce Bill On Appointment Of CEC; Oppo Raises Red Flag

By LokMarg

A Bill to regulate the appointment, conditions of service and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners is on the agenda on the government for introduction in Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal is slated to introduce the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023.

The Bill also deals with procedure for transaction of business by the Election Commission.

The Bill proposes that the Election Commissioners will be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a panel comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister will chair the panel.

The Bill, if it comes into effect, will negate the Supreme Court’s March 2023 judgment that held that the appointment of Election Commissioners will be done by the President on the advice of a panel comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India. However, in its judgement, the apex court had held that the procedure underlined by it would hold till a law is made by Parliament.

The proposed bill has evoked a sharp reaction from opposition parties. Congress leader KC Venugopal said the bill aims to make Election Commission a “puppet in hands of Prime Minister”

“A blatant attempt to make the Election Commission a total puppet in the hands of the Prime Minister,” he said in a tweet.

Delhi Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said in a tweet that the bill shows that “the Prime Minister will change any decision of the Supreme Court that he does not like by introducing a bill in the Parliament”.

In response to Arvind Kejriwal, BJP leader Amit Malviya said that the government is within it rights to bring the bill.

“The SC judgement had suggested a transient method for appointment of the CEC, in absence of a statutory mechanism. The govt is well within it right to bring in bill for the same,” he said in a tweet.  (ANI)

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Pradhan Mantri Kya Parmatma Hai: Kharge In RS

By LokMarg

Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm on Thursday amid stalemate over Opposition’s demand for discussion under Rule 167 on the Manipur violence and remarks of Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge pertaining to presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the debate.

Kharge urged chair to allow discussion on Manipur under Rule 167 and sought presence of PM Modi.  As ruling members objected, he hit out at them.  

“Pradhan Mantri ke aane se kya hone wala hai, kya parmatma hai woh? Yeh koi bhagwan nahi hai (What will happen if PM Modi comes, is he God. He is not God)” he said.

Amid the stalemate, Rajya Sabha Chairman adjourned the House till 2 pm.  

The House earlier saw opposition and treasury benches members blaming each other for logjam in the House over demand for discussion on Manipur situation.

The Chairman rejected notices received for discussion on Manipur situation under Rule 267.

Referring to Opposition members and treasury benches, he said the two sides have taken a rigid stand and asked if there can be meeting of  minds. He sought views of Kharge and the Leader of House Piyush Goyal.

The House has been seeing a stalemate over opposition’s demand for discussion on Manipur under Rule 267 and presence of PM Modi.  The government has said it is willing for a detailed discussion under Rule 176. (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)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

India Will Never Leave Its Citizens Behind: Jaishankar in RS

By LokMarg

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said that the Indian government through its evacuation operation in Sudan and Ukraine has proved that India will never leave its people behind during a crises.

While speaking about the latest developments in India’s Foreign Policy in Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar spoke about Operation Kaveri which was launched to evacuate Indian nationals from Sudan. He said that 4075 Indian nationals were safely evacuated from Sudan when armed clashes broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
He was giving a suo moto statement in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday on India’s foreign policy in the past few months and said, “On 15 April 2023, an armed conflict broke out between Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In order to protect and evacuate the Indian citizens from Sudan, Operation Kaveri was launched on 24 April, 2023. Indian nationals were brought to Port Sudan from different conflict zones and then ferried to Jeddah, using Indian Air Force aircraft and Indian Naval ships.”

“During Operation Kaveri, like Operation Ganga, we not only evacuated thousands of Indians, but also assisted in the evacuation of citizens from other countries who sought our assistance,” he said.

At the end of the Operation, 4075 Indian nationals were safely evacuated. During such a difficult and challenging endeavour, “our diplomats and our armed forces displayed exemplary courage”

He pointed out that during movements in the midst of firing, the landing of an aircraft was very challenging.

“Through this massive evacuation exercise, we have proven once again that India will never leave its people behind during a crisis- be it in Ukraine last year, or in Sudan in this one,” he added.

Notably, Operation Ganga was an evacuation mission carried out by the Indian government to rescue its citizens stranded in Ukraine when the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv started on February 24, 2022. Similarly, this year, the Indian government launched Operation Kaveri to rescue Indian nationals from conflict-ridden Sudan.

Highlighting India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, Jaishankar said that India provided medical supplies and relief materials for the people of Myanmar affected by Cyclone Mocha. He further said India supplied the first tranche of the total 10,000 metric tons of wheat to Afghanistan through Chabahar Port. He said that India also donated 25 tons of medical aid to people of Sudan.

“As part of India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, India provided medical supplies and relief materials for the people of Myanmar affected by Cyclone Mocha. India also donated 25 tons of Medical aid to the people of Sudan. India supplied the

first tranche (2500 MT) of the total 10,000 MT wheat to Afghanistan through Chabahar Port. Subsequent shipments are underway,” Jaishankar said.

“Essential and anti-cancer medicines were supplied to Malawi; anti-TB drugs to Central African Republic, Fiji, Maldives, Sao Tome and Principe, and Tuvalu; and anti-Retroviral drugs to

Fiji. 10 Haemodialysis chairs, operation theatre accessories and medicines were also sent to Palau,” he added. (ANI)

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INDIA Alliance Team To Visit Manipur

INDIA Alliance Team To Visit Manipur On July 29-30

By LokMarg

A team of opposition MPs belonging to I.N.D.I.A is slated to visit Manipur on July 29 and 30 amid their demand for a detailed discussion in Parliament on the situation in the state, which has seen ethnic violence.

The visit comes even as the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has accepted the notice given by the opposition parties for no-confidence motion against the government.
The opposition leaders have said that they decided to go for no-confidence motion to seek reply from the government and the Prime Minister on various issues including the situation in Manipur.

Opposition parties have been protesting in Rajya Sabha over their demand for a detailed discussion on Manipur violence and a statement from the Prime Minister.

“A team of INDIA alliance MPs will visit Manipur on July 29, 30,” an opposition leader said.

Oppsition parties have been pressing for their demand since the beginning of the monsoon session of Parliament on July 20. The government has said it is ready for debate on the issue but the opposition has inisisted on debate under adjournment motion.

Both Houses of Parliament saw disruptions on Thursday also.

Home Minister Amit Shah had visited Manipur and announced several steps to restore peace. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had visited the state in June.

Twenty-six opposition parties had named their alliance as I.N.D.I.A during their meeting in Bengaluru earlier this month.  (ANI)

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Old Parliament

Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha Face Disruptions On Manipur Issue

By LokMarg

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha faced disruptions on Thursday over demands of opposition members related to the Manipur situation and both Houses were adjourned amid the ruckus.

While the Lok Sabha saw an adjournment soon after it met for the day, the Rajya Sabha was first adjourned till 12 noon and then till 2 pm.
Rajya Sabha saw noisy scenes almost from the beginning of the proceedings. Opposition party members raised slogans over their demands related to Manipur situation including discussion under Rule 287.  Many opposition members were wearing black clothes.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who made a statement on ‘Latest Developments in Foreign Policy’, faced constant interruptions as opposition members raised slogans.

The ruling party members also countered them by raising “Modi, Modi” slogans briefly.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said that the decade belongs to India and the rise of the country is unstoppable.  Dhankhar referred to his visits abroad as Deputy Chairman and said it is a great honour to be a citizen of India.

He asked members if they had supplementaries on Jaishankar’s remarks but the opposition members kept raising slogans in support of their demands including a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation in Manipur.

Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Piyush Goyal referred to black clothes worn by Opposition MPs and said “people who are wearing black clothes can’t understand the increasing power of the country” and their “future is black”.

“Unfortunate that politics is being done even on such a serious matter. This is a matter of India’s honour, a matter of India’s emerging image before the world…I think that the people who are wearing black clothes can’t understand the increasing power of the country….Their present, past and future are black. But we hope there will be light in their life too…,” he said.

The Chairman adjourned the House till 12 noon amid noisy scenes.

When the House reassembled, the Chair asked Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to make his remarks.

However, the members from treasury benches raised slogans over the black clothes worn by opposition MPs.

Kharge said ruling coalition members were interrupting the proceedings and his speech. “The government itself is obstructing…” he said.

The Chair adjourned the House till 2 pm amid the ruckus.

In Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla took up the Question Hour but opposition  members raised their demands relating to Manipur. The Speaker had on Wednesday admitted the no-confidence motion moved by opposition members.

The opposition members have demanded that it should be taken up on Thursday.

The Speaker referred to opposition members showing placards and raising slogans and coming near the podium and said that protecting dignity of the House was a collective responsibility.

He said people have elected MPs to raise their issues and not cause disruptions.

“The entire country is watching. This (behaviour) is not right,” he said.

He then adjourned the House till 2 pm.

The monsoon session of Parliament has seen disruptions since its beginning on July 20 with opposition members pressing their demand for detailed discussion on Manipur and a statement from the Prime Minister. (ANI)

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Delhi Services Bill

RS Passes Bill For Inclusion Of Hattee Community of Trans Giri Area In Himachal In Scheduled Tribes List

By LokMarg

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a Bill with a voice vote to include the Hattee community of the Trans Giri area of Sirmour district in Himachal Pradesh in the list of Scheduled Tribes.

Speaking on the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022, Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda said the the Bill seeks to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 which lists the tribal communities deemed to be Scheduled Tribes in States and Union Territories.
The Minister said demands for inclusion of Hatti tribe in the Trans- Giri area of Sirmour district in Himachal Pradesh have been pending for a long time, and their inclusion to the Scheduled Tribes list will help them in providing long pending justice.

The Minister mentioned that the border sharing people from four blocks of Tran Giri of Himachal Pradesh have their relatives identified as Scheduled Tribes in Uttarakhand.

Responding to the members, Munda said it is the responsibility of respective Governments to ensure no tribal land alienation takes place in their states.

He also listed the number of initiatives taken up by the Tribal Affairs Ministry in the field of health and education in tribal dominant areas.

The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in December last year.

On September 14, 2022, the Union Cabinet under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved the addition of some Tribes in the list of Himachal Pradesh.

The process to include tribes in the Scheduled Tribes list begins with the recommendation from the respective state governments, which are then sent to the Tribal Affairs Ministry, which reviews and sends them to the Registrar General of India for approval. This is followed by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes’ approval before the list is sent to the Cabinet for a final decision.

At present Bhot, Bodh; Gaddi; Gujjar; Jad, Lamba, Khampa; Kanaura, Kinnara; Lahaula; Pangwala; Swangla; Beta, Beda; and Domba, Gara, Zoba tribes are included in the list of Scheduled Tribes in Himachal Pradesh.

Himachal Pradesh hovernment had earlier requested the Centre to include Hattee community of Trans Giri area of Sirmour district in Scheduled Tribes list, excluding those communitieswhich are already notified as Scheduled Castes for the state. On the basis of recommendation of the state government, the Government of India proposed to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in respect of State of Himachal Pradesh by amending the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950. (ANI)

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abrogation of Article 370

29,295 Vacancies Filled In J-K After Abrogation Of Article 370

By LokMarg

A total of 29,295 vacancies were filled in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in the erstwhile state, the Central told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai shared the input in a written reply to a member.
“The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has carried out several governance reforms, including in the area of recruitment in Government. After the abrogation of Article 370, a large-scale recruitment drive has been carried out and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has filled 29,295 vacancies,” said Rai, adding that recruiting agencies have advertised 7,924 vacancies and examinations in respect of 2,504 vacancies have been conducted.

He said that the identification of vacancies in the Government and recruitment is a continuous and ongoing process.

“The same is taken up under accelerated recruitment drive,” the minister added.

The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has taken various initiatives to bring down unemployment by implementing various self-employment schemes through different departments by providing subsidized loans for the establishment of their own sustainable income generation units, the MoS further said.

He further said that a number of self-employment schemes like Mission Youth, Rural Livelihood Mission, Himayat, PMEGP, Avsar, and Tejaswani are being implemented for providing employment opportunities.

“From the results of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), estimates of the unemployment rate are not available specifically for the educated youth in Jammu and Kashmir for the period April-June 2021,” Rai added.

However, the Minister said, from the PLFS conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) during July 2020-June 2021, an estimate of the unemployment rate according to the usual status among the persons of age group 15-29 years for Jammu and Kashmir was 18.3 percent. (ANI)

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Manipur case in Rajya Sabha

RS Adjourned Till 12 Noon Amid Oppo Uproar Over Manipur Issue

By LokMarg

Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon on Tuesday with the Opposition parties continuing to press for their demand for a discussion on ethnic violence in Manipur by suspending other business of the day and a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Soon after the House assembled for the day Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha raised a point of order and sought division over the suspension of party leader Sanjay Singh from the Rajya Sabha for the remainder of the monsoon session on Monday.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar declined the request and took up the listed agenda amid opposition protests.

He said that he had received 51 notices from Opposition members under Rule 267 for a discussion on Manipur situation.

He said some notices were also received for discussion under Rule 167.

Leader of the House Piyush Goyal said there the government is ready to discuss on each issue, and appealed that there should also be short duration discussion on crime against women in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

Congress leader P Chidambaram said that Rule 267 must take precedence over Rule 267 and the House should commence the discussion on the Manipur situation.

As the Opposition leaders continued sloganeering from their seats, Rajya Sabha Chairman adjourned the House till 12 noon

The Rajya Sabha faced a washout for the third consecutive day on Monday and failed to transact significant business due to adjournments forced by the opposition over their demands.

The Monsoon session of Parliament began on July 20 and will continue till August 11. (ANI)

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Floor Leaders of I.N.D.I.A

Floor Leaders Of I.N.D.I.A To Meet RS LoP In Parliament Tomorrow

By LokMarg

Floor leaders of the newly formed Opposition alliance the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) will meet at the office of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament on Tuesday to chalk out the strategy for the floor of the House.

The meeting of the floor leaders will be held at 10 am on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the proceedings of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha faced adjournments for the third consecutive day.

The situation in Manipur dominated the proceedings of the third day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which began on Thursday, with the Opposition demanding the Centre to discuss the issue.

The Congress and opposition leaders are demanding a statement from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon session.

Earlier in the day, in Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar suspended Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on Monday for the remainder of the monsoon session of Parliament for “repeatedly violating” the Chair’s directives.

The Chairman first named Sanjay Singh for interrupting the proceedings of the House when it had taken up the Question Hour amid protests by the Opposition over its demand for a statement from Prime Minister on the Manipur violence and a detailed discussion on the issue.

Lok Sabha also witnessed protests and sloganeering from opposition members over their demand for a discussion on the Manipur situation and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)

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