Monsoon Session 2020 Live Updates: Rajnath Singh speaks on LAC faceoff, Cong MPs walk out

The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was passed in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the Lok Sabha passed The Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2020 amid the COVID-19 crisis. This bill was tabled on the floor of the Lower House by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday to replace The Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020. President Ram Nath Kovind promulgated this ordinance on April 7 after the Union Cabinet's approval. 

The rationale of this legislation is to raise resources for the fight against the novel coronavirus. For this purpose, a new sub-section has been inserted in Section 3 of The Salaries, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954 to reduce the salaries payable to Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs by 30%. This will be applicable for a period of one year with effect from April 1, 2020. 

Speaking in Lok Sabha, NCP MP Supriya Sule demanded the cancellation of the Central Vista project and urged the Centre to arrange more ventilators for the common man. She questioned the Centre on why its expenditure was not being reduced amid the COVID-19 crisis. 

Congress MPs staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha demanding a discussion on the India-China border issue. Speaking to the media, Congress Deputy Lok Sabha leader Gaurav Gogoi remarked that Leader of Opposition Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury wanted to send a message of solidarity with our troops and to send a stern warning to China that they should not test our patience. According to him, the government felt as if only it can speak in support of the army. 

Making a statement on the LAC situation in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh affirmed that the Armed Forces were capable of facing any challenge from China. While acknowledging that the situation at the LAC is very different both in terms of the scale of troops involve and the number of friction points, he reiterated India's commitment for a peaceful resolution of the dispute. Observing that the violent conduct of Chinese troops was a violation of all past agreements, he informed the MPs that India has done counter deployments in the area to safeguard the border.

He mentioned that the Centre had also increased the budget for border infrastructure, thereby enhancing logistical support for Armed Forces. Elaborating that there were friction points in Eastern Ladakh, Gogra, Kongka La and Pangong Lake's north and south banks, he provided details of India's diplomatic endeavours such as his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe and the S Jaishankar-Wang Yi discussion. He appealed to his fellow parliamentarians to pass a unanimous resolution expressing solidarity with the Armed Forces.

I am grateful to all of you that you considered fit to give this important responsibility to a person who hails from a very ordinary family based in a village and who never went to an English-medium school: Harivansh after his re-election as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman
 

ICMR has carried out testing of 2500+ samples of Members of Parliament and other officials on war footing over the weekend in service of the nation

Rajya Sabha adopts motion against starred questions and introduction of 'private member business' in the house during this session, in view of COVID-19.

Ministry of Culture has released a grant of Rs 5,462.69 lakhs to the artist community under various central sector schemes, to help them during the pandemic: Minister of State of Culture and Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in Lok Sabha

This is the second time he has been elected as the deputy chairman of the House. I congratulate him. He has been just to members of all parties: Congress Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Nabi Azad on the election of NDA's Rajya Sabha deputy chairman candidate Harivansh

His rival, RJD MP Manoj Jha said, "This was not a matter between two individuals... Ahmad Faraz says - Tu mohabbat se koi chaal to chal, haar jaane ka hausala hai mujhme."

PM Modi said, "The respect I hold for Harivansh ji, each member of the House shares. He has earned this respect. His unbiased role in the Parliament strengthens our democracy. After becoming an MP, Harivanshi ji has always ensured how all MPs can become more dutiful. The journalist inside him has stayed alive.
 

The Union government on Monday introduced three bill in Lok Sabha on farm sector with Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar asserting that they will help farmers get a remunerative price for their produce as well as private investments and technology.

 Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar introduced The Farmers' Produce Trade And Commerce (Promotion And Facilitation) Bill, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, which will replaces ordinances promulgated by the government earlier. 

He said the proposed laws will enable barrier-free trade in agricultural produce, and also empower farmers to engage with investors of their choice. 

The minister said that these steps are only the latest in a series of measures taken by the government as part of its continuous commitment to championing the cause of welfare of the farmers of India.

There have been 3,186 incidents of ceasefire violations along LoC in Jammu region between Jan 1 & Sept 7 this year. In addition, 242 incidents of cross-border firing have occurred along Indo-Pak border in Jammu till Aug 31 this year: MoS Defence Shripad Naik in Rajya Sabha

There have been 8 fatal casualties & 2 non-fatal casualties of Army personnel in Jammu & Kashmir till Sept 7 this year. There have been 5 non-fatal casualties of BSF personnel along international border & Loc in J&K: MoS Defence Shripad Naik in Rajya Sabha

Rs 90,048 Cr allocated for Capital Acquisition in budget estimate 2020-21 under Defence Service Estimates, an increase of Rs 9,088.92 Cr over 2019-20 allocations. Total allocation is 27.87% of Defence Services Estimates: MoS Defence Shripad Naik in a written reply in Rajya Sabha

BJP Rajya Sabha MP JP Nadda moves motion to elect NDA candidate Harivansh Narayan Singh as the Deputy Chairman of the House. The motion has been seconded by Thaawarchand Gehlot. Chairman Venkaiah Naidu adopts the motion

Meenakshi Lekhi, Anant Kumar Hegde, Parvesh Sahib Singh and Ladakh MP JT Namgyal among 17 Lok Sabha MPs who tested COVID+ve

Sources report that 6 Rajya Sabha MPs have  tested positive for Coronavirus

Rajya Sabha adjourned for one hour till 4:40 pm in the honour of the departed souls

17 Lok Sabha MPs have been found to be Corona positive. According to sources, they have not been allowed to enter Parliament.
 

• YSR Congress Party to support to NDA candidate Harivansh for the post of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman: YSR MP Vijay Sai Reddy
• Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) will abstain from voting during Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman election: TRS MP K Keshava Rao
• Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will support Opposition candidate Manoj Kumar Jha for the post of Deputy Chairman in Rajya Sabha: Sanjay Singh, AAP MP
   

"I think the biggest challenge right now in the country is the State of the economy and unemployment. I think on the first first day, what we should have debated today in Parliament is the state of the economy, pandemic and challenges of unemployment,"  said NCP's Supriya Sule in Lok Sabha. 

"This is a global scenario and we're not the only country going through it. But it should be a priority of the government. I don't see this government at the Centre talking extensively either about the economy or unemployment challenges. We should put it on priority," she added. 

"I would like to draw the attention of this House and the government to the plight of 12 students who had committed suicide - all from a rural background - because of NEET exam. They had passed plus 2 through state board and NEET is conducted only in CBSE syllabus," said TR Baalu, DMK MP in Lok Sabha

"Within a month after plus 2 results, they have to enter into NEET exam and they are clueless. Without knowing any subject matter of CBSE syllabus, they are helpless and committing suicide. Future doctors of India have committed suicide," he said. 

Owing to the nationwide efforts, the Coronavirus related deaths have been limited to 55 per million population, said Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Monday. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, the Union Minister also said that the cases per million population in the country have also been limited to 3,328 in the country.

"With our endeavour to manage COVID-19, India has been able to limit its cases and deaths to 3,328 cases and 55 deaths per million population respectively, which is one of the lowest in the world as compared to similarly affected countries," the Minister said.

"Maximum cases and deaths primarily reported from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, Bihar, Telangana, Odisha, Assam, Kerala and Gujarat. All these reported more than 1 lakh cases," he added. The Health Minister also informed Parliament about the COVID-19 situation in the country.

(With ANI inputs)

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced that Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs in the Rajya Sabha will support to the NDA candidate Harivansh in the election for the post of Deputy Chairman of the House. Patnaik's announcement came soon after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar spoke to him on Monday again over the issue of the elections for the Deputy Chairman post which are scheduled to be held later in the day.

JDU MP Harivansh is pitted against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Manoj Jha in the poll. The post of Deputy Chairman of the Upper House fell vacant after the term of Harivansh ended in April.

(With ANI inputs)

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday asked members to remain seated while speaking in the House and follow social distancing norms in view of the "extraordinary situation" amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"It would be difficult for you all, but because of COVID-19 and on the advice of experts, I have decided that I will allow members to remain seated while speaking in the House. I know members will have a problem, but I have no other option," Birla said.

He said that the House has tried to bring in digitisation and has drafted an app. "Due to various safety protocols, I know there would be problems, but it is necessary to remain safe," Birla said.

He said that although the session aims at bringing together the members of various parties, this time the social distancing has to be maintained in view of the pandemic.

(PTI)
 

BJP MP from Gorakhpur Ravi Kishan on Monday raised the issue of 'drug addiction' in Bollywood and praised the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) which has launched a massive crackdown on a drug racket linked to the film industry. The actor-turned-politician also slammed the neighbouring countries of Pakistan and China through which drugs are smuggled into the country.

'Drug addiction is on a rise'

"I want to bring an important issue to the notice of all the MPs. The problem of drug trafficking/addiction is on a rise in our country and a conspiracy is being hatched to destroy the country's youth. Our neighbouring countries are contributing as the smuggling of drugs from Pakistan and China is done every year via Punjab and Nepal," Ravi Kishan said.

"Drug addiction is in the film industry too. Several people have been apprehended and the NCB is doing very good work. I urge the central government to take strict action, apprehend the culprits soon, give them befitting punishment and bring an end to conspiracy of neighbouring countries," the BJP MP stated.

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Responding to Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's allegations in Lok Sabha, BJP MP Prahlad Joshi said, "It's an extraordinary situation. When Assemblies aren't ready to meet for a single day, we -with around 800-850 MPs- are meeting here. There are so many ways to question the government, it isn't running away from the discussion. We're ready for discussion." 

"Question Hour is the golden hour but you say that it can't be held due to the circumstances. You conduct the proceedings but single out Question Hour. You are trying to strangulate the democracy," Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said in Lok Sabha. 

The Monsoon session 2020 of Parliament is set to commence from Monday. The fourth session of 17th Lok Sabha and 252nd session of Rajya Sabha, subject to exigencies of government business, may conclude on October 1.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the session will provide a total of 18 sittings spread over a period of 18 days (all the days including Saturdays and Sundays of the ensuing session will be working days) and a total of 47 items have been identified for being taken up during the Monsoon Session 2020. (These include 45 Bills and two financial items).

This will be the first Parliament session being held amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore all safety measures have been taken to conduct the session as per guidelines issued for COVID-19. All MPs have been asked to undergo a COVID test and only those with a negative report will be allowed to sit in the session. The security and secretarial staff in Parliament have also been asked to take coronavirus tests before their entry.

Several of the opposition parties are likely to oppose four of the bills replacing ordinances relating to the farm sector and the banking regulation amendments. The opposition is seeking to corner the government on its handling of the standoff with China at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, the COVID-19 situation, economic downturn and unemployment, and is pressing for discussions on these issues.

Ahead of the commencement of the Monsoon session of Parliament on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media after reaching the Parliament house. PM Modi said the Monsoon session is being held in unprecedented times because of the Coronavirus but all the MPs have chosen the path of fulfilling their duties and "I want to congratulate and thank all of them." The Prime Minister wished that the upcoming Parliament Session "be a productive one."

'We want a vaccine to be developed at the earliest'

"The Budget Session was cancelled because of the pandemic. The Parliament session is beginning at distinct times. There's Corona and there is duty. The MPs have chosen the path to duty. I congratulate and express gratitude to them. This time Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha will be held at different times in a day. It'll be held on Saturday-Sunday too. All MPs accepted this," PM Modi said.

Speaking about the Coronavirus crisis and the vaccine, PM Modi said, "Jab tak dawai nahi tab tak koi dhilai nahi. We want that a vaccine to be developed at the earliest from any corner of the world, our scientists succeed and we succeed in bringing everyone out of this problem."

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• Congress MPs Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and K Suresh have given Adjournment Motion notice in Lok Sabha over Chinese incursion in Eastern Ladakh.
• RSP's N Premachandran has given Adjournment Motion notice in Lok Sabha over the 'inclusion of names of prominent leaders in Delhi Police charge sheet on Delhi riots'. 
• DMK and CPI(M) have given Adjournment Motion notice in Lok Sabha over 'suicide of 12 teenage students due to NEET'
• AITC and Congress have given Adjournment Motion notice regarding Chinese company monitoring over 10,000 Indians, most of them in positions of power.