16:36 (IST)
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Question Hour on-going in Lok Sabha
Lok Sabha proceedings started at 4 pm. The Question House in ongoing with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari answering queries from MPs on road, transport development works.
16:20 (IST)
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No peace and tranquillity if there's no status quo ante at LAC: Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said there will be no peace and tranquillity if there is no status quo ante at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. He also asked why the government is insulting the sacrifices of Indian soldiers.
The former Congress chief's remarks came soon after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a statement in the Rajya Sabha, saying India and China have reached an agreement on disengagement in the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh that mandates both sides to cease forward deployment of troops in a "phased, coordinated and verifiable" manner.
No status quo ante = No peace & tranquility.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 11, 2021
Why is GOI insulting the sacrifice of our jawans & letting go of our territory?
16:07 (IST)
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Congress MP gives Adjournment Notice in LS over Bhima Koregaon case
Congress MP K Suresh gives an Adjournment Motion Notice in the Lok Sabha over the alleged tampering of digital evidence in Bhima Koregaon case, ANI reports.
16:01 (IST)
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Rajnath Singh to make statement in LS on Ladakh situation
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make another statement on ‘Present Situation in Eastern Ladakh’ in Lok Sabha at 5.00 pm today as per reports.
15:49 (IST)
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Seven IAS officers arrested for corruption in past 3 years, says Centre
Seven officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) were arrested in the last three years, Parliament was informed on Thursday. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said, "As per information received from 27 state governments/Union Territories, seven officers belonging to Indian Administrative Service have been arrested for corruption during the last three years."
According to information received from the Ministry of Home Affairs, one Indian Police Service (IPS) officer serving under the Uttar Pradesh government was found involved in a criminal case during the period from September 2020 till date, Singh said.
"The said IPS officer has been placed under suspension and disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated against him by the state government," he added.
15:33 (IST)
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Over 2.47 lakh calls on helpline from April-June 2020: WCD
Over 2.47 lakh phone calls were registered on the women's helpline from April to June 2020, when the country was under lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Women and Child Development Ministry said on Thursday.
In a written response to a question in Rajya Sabha, Women and Child Development minister Smriti Irani said the scheme of 'Universalisation of Women Helpline (WHL)' through toll free number 181 is operational in 33 states and Union Territories.
"As per the information received from states/UTs, during the period between April 2020 to June 2020, over 2.47 lakh calls were registered in WHLs," she said. The helpline aims to provide emergency and non-emergency referral and information service to women affected by violence and in distress.
15:14 (IST)
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Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day
15:13 (IST)
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Budget benefited women and children: MoS Finance
MoS Finance Thakur said he encourages debate and discussion on the Budget. MoS Finance said that the poor population have benefited the most from the policies of BJP-led government and claimed that the Budget has received positive reviews from all states. "Modi government has brought a historic number of people out of the poverty line. The Budget has also benefited women and children", he added.
14:47 (IST)
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SP leader demands repeal of farm laws, guarantee on MSP in RS
SP leader Vishambhar Prasad Nishad on Thursday demanded a repeal of three contentious farm laws and pitched for a new law to make minimum support price (MSP) mandatory for the procurement of agriculture produce.
Farmers are protesting against the three new farm laws for more than two months at Delhi's borders, demanding a repeal of these legislations. They are also pressing the government for making MSP mandatory.
Participating in a debate on the Union Budget in the Rajya Sabha, Nishad said, "The farm bills were drafted on the directions of corporates. When the farmers do not want these bills, why are these being imposed on them? I demand that the farm laws should be taken back and a new law to guarantee MSP should be brought."
He pointed out that there is no special package in the budget for the farmers of the parched Bundelkhand region.
Nishad also drew the attention of the House towards incidents of farmer suicide due to crop loss and debt and demanded that all crops be covered under insurance.
14:33 (IST)
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SAD MP urges Centre to repeal 'black laws' or legalise MSP
Shiromani Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral urged the Centre to legalise MSP or to repeal 'black laws' and pledged support to farmers. "Why not legalise MSP by putting it in the law. The day you do that, the farmers will return to their homes. I must tell the government's spokespersons stop defaming the farmers. And force will be of no use against the farmers. The farmers will go home only when they can say ,'fateh, fateh, fateh' (victory, victory, victory)." he said.
14:23 (IST)
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340 non-performing officers prematurely retired between July 2014 and 2020: Centre
A total of 340 non-performing officers were prematurely retired by the government in the past six years, Parliament was informed on Thursday, reports PTI.
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said, "As per the information/data provided by different ministries/ departments/cadre controlling authorities, provisions of FR 56(J)/similar rules have been invoked against 171 Group A central government officers, including All India Services officers, and 169 Group B officers of different ministries/departments during the period from July 2014 to December 2020."
14:08 (IST)
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588 cases pending investigation by CBI for over a year: Centre tells RS
As many as 588 regular cases (RCs) were pending investigation for over a year by the CBI as on December 31, 2020, Parliament was informed on Thursday.
"As on 31.12.2019, CBI had 711 number of regular cases pending investigation for over a year; whereas, the figure of such cases as on 31.12.2020 was 588," Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
There were six such cases against political persons in 2020, according to the reply.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probes complex and voluminous cases against public servants, firms, banks, private persons, which at times pertain to very old transactions or incidents, the minister said.
13:48 (IST)
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Centre making 'empty promises' in name of Atmanirbhari Bharat: TMC MP
Sukhendu Shekhar Roy of TMC, asked the Centre on what basis the government had made the claim that the economy will grow by 14 percent. "The government is making empty promises in the name of Atmanirbhar Bharat." he said
"The government believed that MSME sectors will restart their business after lending from banks. But the loans taken by MSME sectors are at an all-time low" he said.
13:37 (IST)
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7 IAS officers arrested for corruption in past 3 years: Centre
Seven officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) were arrested in the last three years, Parliament was informed on Thursday.
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said, "As per information received from 27 state governments/Union Territories, 7 officers belonging to Indian Administrative Service have been arrested for corruption during the last three years."
According to information received from the Ministry of Home Affairs, one Indian Police Service (IPS) officer serving under the Uttar Pradesh government was found involved in a criminal case during the period from September 2020 till date, Singh said.
"The said IPS officer has been placed under suspension and disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated against him by the state government," he added.
13:29 (IST)
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Farm laws brought in after govt realised can't fulfil promise of doubling farm incomes
"You claimed that you will double the farmers' income in five years, now you have extended the deadline to 2022. One year is left. When you realised that you can't even do it in the next year, you brought in these three farm laws so that you can convert agriculture into playground for corporates and shirk off all responsibility to uplift the sector," Trinamool Congress party's Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said in Rajya Sabha.
13:18 (IST)
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1,374 vacant posts in CBI: Govt
As many as 1,374 posts were vacant in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as on 31 December, 2020, Parliament was informed on Thursday. Of the sanctioned strength of 7,273 posts, 5,899 were filled, according to a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh.
13:05 (IST)
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Budget prepared for the rich, by the rich, of the rich, says Chidambaram
"The government was in denial about slowdown in economy. They believed wrongly that the problem in Indian economy is cyclical and not structural. But the numbers were dropping even before the pandemic struck. Two years of slowdown is a reality before coronavirus,' he said.
'There is no demand in the bulk of India. Even in advanced states like Tamil Nadu, imagine how it will be in backward states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha," Chidambaram asked.
"You have ignored the bulk of India. Who is this budget for?' 'The Budget has nothing for the poor. It is for the rich, by the rich, of the rich." he said.
12:45 (IST)
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P Chidambaram says incompetent management will undo growth achieved in 3 to 4 years
Former finance minister P Chidambaram said that the borrowing will only be used to fill the huge craters in our economy. "Mark my words, the growth projections will fall short by the end of 2021."
He said, "The finance minister had objected to my use of the word incompetent while describing this government's policies."
"But I repeat myself, for I have no milder word available to describe this situation. The incompetent economic management will push us back to the numbers we had in 2017."
12:29 (IST)
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Bring Climate change to centerstage: Vandana Chavan
Vandana Chavan, NCP, said that this budget is the first document that sets the road map for the post-pandemic recovery of India, despite that it has failed to take into account the dreadful impact of neglecting climate and environment.
She said that there has been no mention of the impending danger of climate change, adding that the increasing polution in Indian cities has a massive economic impact too. Quoting figures from a Lancet study, she said the economic cost of premature deaths due to pollution is more than four times the Budgetary allocation for healthcare in the past year.
12:14 (IST)
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Acknowledge your failures, address inequality: Manoj Jha's advice to FM
Jha spoke at length about the dangers of inequality pervading in the Indian society. He said that the current Budget, instead of eroding that gap, is further perpetuating the social divide.
"You claim you want to listen to criticism but have earplugs on. The Budget he claims is directed for a few special people, not the common man. He points to the Articles 38 and 39 of Constitution, and asks what the Budget will do for the people of India? Let it be an aam (common man's) Budget, not a khaas (special) budget," he says. "Don't manufacture the numbers - acknowledge the worrisome numbers," he said.
11:59 (IST)
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Union financial document transformed from aam budget to khaas budget: Manoj Jha
RJD's Rajya Sabha member Manoj Jha expressed concern over the transformative change in the tone and tenor of Union Budgets of late. He claimed that earlier the Budgets used to be "aam Budget" (common man's budget) but it has now become a "khaas Budget". He also asserted that this trend has been developing since pre-NDA years as well.
11:43 (IST)
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Ravi Shankar Prasad slams social media companies for 'double standards'
Earlier in the day, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said action will be taken against social media companies if they are misused.
"We have flagged Twitter, and is in dialogue with them. Why is it that when police has to act in US Capitol Hill they stand in support, but when a similar action is taken at Red Fort, they oppose it? Freedom of speech is there, but with reasonable restrictions. Why double standards?” he said.
"I have a message for social media platforms — freedom is important, but showing revenge sex video, street fights, porn videos, family issues on social media? Revisit unbridled exposure of double-standards of your own guidelines," he added
11:37 (IST)
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Venkaiah Naidu rejects Opposition's request for clarity on India-China border dispute
When Rajya Sabha members ask for an opportunity to seek clarification on defence minister's statement on India-China standoff situation, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu denies their request saying "this is a matter of national unity and security."
"Discussions have been going on for the past 48 hours, and you want to create controversy? It is not good," he said.
11:07 (IST)
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India will move to Finger 3 at northern bank of Pangong Tso to restore status quo: Rajnath
Providing details about the disengagement process initiated at the southern and northern banks of Pangong Tso, the Defence Minsiter Rajnath Singh said that senior commanders from both sides will meet within 48 hours after disengagement from Pangong.
"India will move to Finger 3 at DS Post on north bank and China will move east side," the defence minister added.
"Similar arrangements will be made at the south bank. Status quo will be restored," he said.
11:01 (IST)
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No unilateral attempt must be made to change the status quo along LAC: Rajnath Singh
"Last year, I informed that China has amassed troops and armaments. India gave a befitting reply. We are occupying strategic heights, even in heavy snow, troops are protecting our borders. We have an edge in these areas," said Rajnath Singh on standoff walong LAC.
"In dialogue with China we told them - LAC should be respected, no unilateral move to change the status quo, all decisions to be implemented by both side
10:57 (IST)
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India did not accept China's unjustified demands: Rajnath Singh
"In Arunachal Pradesh border, China claims 90,000 sq km of Indian land. India has not accepted this unjustified demands," says the Defence Minister.
"We have maintained that bilateral relations can prosper only if there are efforts from both sides. Peace and tranquility at border affects bilateral relations with China, so China and India's relations have been affected by these events," said Singh.
10:49 (IST)
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Indian, Chinese troops will remove forward deployments in phased manner: Rajnath Singh
In first official admission, Rajnath Singh informed the Rajya Sabha that Beijing and New Delhi have started the disengagement process at the southern and northern bank of the Pangong Tso Lake.
"After this agreement, India and China will remove forward deployments in a phased and a coordinated manner," the defence minister said.
This comes a day after China announced that both sides have begun “synchronised and organised disengagement” in the area.
10:44 (IST)
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India committed to maintaining peaceful situation along LAC: Rajnath Singh
Since September last year, India and China have used both diplomatic and military channels to de-escalate tensions along the LAC, Rajnath Singh said on Thursday.
The defence minister added that India is committed to maintaining a peaceful situation along the Line of Control. "India has always emphasised on maintaining bilateral ties," said Singh.
10:38 (IST)
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Discussion on lapsed Judicial Accountability Bill
Speaking on the lapsed Judicial Accountability Bill, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "While we are having this discussion, a reminder that the Bill was brought in by UPA govt, and there were some reservations about it. We are in dialogue with the judiciary. The architecture of law needs a clarification from the judiciary."
10:01 (IST)
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Army chief General MM Naravane reaches Parliament
Army Chief General MM Naravane arrives at the Parliament.
— ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2021
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to make a statement on ‘present situation in Eastern Ladakh’ in Rajya Sabha at 10:30 am today. pic.twitter.com/E4ftM6DKM9
09:57 (IST)
Parliament LATEST Updates
Rajnath Singh arrives at Parliament
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha on the standoff along LAC. This comes a day after China announced that Beijing and New Delhi have started "synchronised and organised disengagement" at the southern and northern bank of the Pangong Tso.
#WATCH | Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrives at the Parliament.
— ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2021
He will make a statement on ‘present situation in Eastern Ladakh’ in Rajya Sabha at 10:30 am today. pic.twitter.com/hyXn9iyD0w
09:45 (IST)
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Provide Rs 25 lakh compensation to kin of Uttarakhand flood victims: Sanjay Singh
AAP leader Sanjay Singh urged the Centre to provide a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to next of kin of those killed in the Uttarakhand disaster. He also asked for an update on efforts by NDRF to rescue people from Tapovan tunnel.
09:36 (IST)
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Issue of Sahariya community in Madhya Pradesh raised
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh asked that the Sahariya community in Madhya Pradesh be included in the Extreme Backward Category. "As of now, they get benefits only in Chambal and Gwalior divisions," he said.
He demanded that benefit be provided in other parts of the state as well.
Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot responds to this, and says that the Centre has not received any such proposal from the State government.
09:19 (IST)
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BJP MP gives zero hour notice over Maharashtra govt's probe on Sachin Tendulkar, Lata Mangeshkar
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Bhagwat Karad has given zero hour notice in the Rajya Sabha, expressing "concern over investigation ordered by the Maharashtra government against Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar", reported ANI.
The Maharashtra government on Monday said that it will investigate tweets by Indian celebrities in response to criticism of the government's handling of the farmers' protest by foreign personalities. The inquiry was ordered after leaders of the Maharashtra unit of Congress sought probe into whether the celebrities were under pressure from the BJP to tweet in support of the government.
08:56 (IST)
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Parliament passes Bill to provide greater autonomy to 12 major ports
Parliament on Wednesday passed a bill that seeks to provide greater autonomy in decision-making to 12 major ports in the country and professionalise their governance by setting up boards.
The Major Ports Authority Bill, 2020 was passed through ballot votes with 84 in favour and 44 against it in the Rajya Sabha.
08:50 (IST)
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Rajnath Singh to address RS on situation along LAC
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will speak at 10.30 am in Rajya Sabha and at 5.30 pm in the Lok Sabha. He is expected to make a statement regarding the present situation in Eastern Ladakh.
The Chinese media on Wednesday said Indian and Chinese troops along the border in Ladakh have initiated the process of disengagement.
Parliament LATEST Updates: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said there will be no peace and tranquillity if there is no status quo ante at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
MoS Finance Anurag Thakur lauds the Union Budget in Rajya Sabha and said that the poor population have benefited the most from the policies of BJP-led government and claimed that the Budget has received positive reviews from all states
Naresh Gujral from SAD urged the Centre to not use force on agitating farmers and to stop defaming them by calling them 'Khalistanis' in Rajya Sabha.
Sukhendu Shekhar Roy of TMC asked the Centre on what basis the government had made the claim that the economy will grow by 14 percent. "The government is making empty promises in the name of Atmanirbhar Bharat." he said.
"The government was in denial about slowdown in economy. They believed wrongly that the problem in Indian economy is cyclical and not structural. But the numbers were dropping even before the pandemic struck. Two years of slowdown is a reality before coronavirus,' P Chidambaram said in Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha will hold a discussion on the Union Budget 2021 till 3 pm today. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will give her response in Rajya Sabha tomorrow
Chidambaram said the borrowing will only be used to fill the huge craters in our economy. "Mark my words, the growth projections will fall short by the end of 2021."
He said, the finance minister had objected to my use of the word incompetent while describing this government's policies. "But I repeat myself, for I have no milder word available to describe this situation. The incompetent economic management will push us back to the numbers we had in 2017."
When Rajya Sabha members ask for an opportunity to seek clarification on defence minister's statement on India-China standoff situation, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu denies their request saying "this is a matter of national unity and security."
Providing details about the disengagement process initiated at the southern and northern banks of Pangong Tso, the defence minister said that senior commanders from both sides will meet within 48 hours after disengagement from Pangong.
The defence minister added that India is committed to maintaining a peaceful situation along the Line of Control. "India has always emphasised on maintaining bilateral ties," said Singh.
The defence minister will make a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday about the standoff in eastern Ladakh, a day after China announced that Beijing and New Delhi have started 'synchronised and organised disengagement' at the southern and northern bank of the Pangong Tso.
The Chinese media on Wednesday said Indian and Chinese troops along the border in Ladakh have initiated the process of disengagement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the central government and the Parliament have great respect for the farmers who are voicing their views on the three farm bills and that is why top most ministers have been talking to them.
Replying in Lok Sabha to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President's address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Modi again allayed apprehensions on the farm laws, saying neither any agriculture 'mandi' (market) has shut down after the three laws were enacted nor has the MSP stopped, rather the MSP has only increased which no one can deny.
"This House, our government and we all respect farmers who are voicing their views on the farm bills. This is the reason why topmost ministers of the government are constantly talking to them. There is great respect for farmers.
"After the laws relating to agriculture were passed by Parliament, no 'mandi' has shut. Likewise, MSP has remained.
Procurement on MSP has remained. These facts can't be ignored," he said.
The prime minister said those who are disrupting the House are doing so as per a well-planned strategy as they are unable to digest that people can see the truth.
"Through their games, the trust of the people can never be won," he said, amidst protests by the opposition members.
The Congress walked out of Lok Sabha as PM Modi explained the government's stand on the three farm laws.
Modi said the Congress has taken different stands in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. "A divided and confused party like this can do no good to the country," he added.
Modi said India has managed the COVID-19 pandemic successfully despite adverse predictions and the country has now become a ray of hope for the world.
He said the world post-COVID-19 is turning out to be very different and in such times remaining isolated from the global trends will be counter-productive.
"That is why India is working towards building an 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India), which seeks to further global good.
"Predictions were made India cannot survive as a nation, but people of our country proved them wrong and we are now a ray of hope for the world," he said.
Complimenting health care and frontline workers for their relentless work during the pandemic, the prime minister said the way India has managed the coronavirus crisis is a turning point and the world has seen its success.
The address of the President has showcased India's 'Sankalp Shakti' and his words have boosted the spirit of confidence among the people of India, infused new confidence and inspired every heart
"During the discussion on the President's speech, a large number of women MPs took part. This is a great sign. I want to congratulate the women MPs who enriched the House proceedings with their thoughts," he said.
February 11, 2021 at 04:33PM
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