Parliament session highlights: Congress lead Opposition walkout in RS over farmers issue

Parliament winter session news updates: Catch all the latest news developments related to the proceedings in the Parliament here

Congress and some other opposition party MPs on Wednesday walked out of the Rajya Sabha in protest against the government's alleged anti-farmer policies and for not fulfilling the promise of increasing the minimum support price (MSP) for various crops. Congress MPs raised slogans after Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar disallowed motions seeking setting aside of the business of the day to discuss the farmers' issue. Dhankhar slammed their behaviour, saying the "interest of farmers is not served by sloganeering and (shedding) crocodile tears". "You are only politicising it. You don't want a solution. Kisan (farmers) is your last priority," he told the agitated Congress and other opposition party MPs. Amid slogan shouting, the chairman took up Zero Hour mentions.

  The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday cleared a bill to provide for the regulation of boilers, safety of life and property of persons from the danger of explosions of steam-boilers and uniformity in registration. The Boilers Bill, 2024 seeks to repeal the century old Boilers Act, 1923. The bill, which aims to decriminalise seven offences and promote ease of doing business, was cleared in the Upper House by a voice vote.

  The Lok Sabha Secretariat on Tuesday asked MPs not to hold protests in front of the gates of Parliament House, contending that such obstruction of movement could affect their safety and security. The advisory came on a day parliamentarians held protests on the steps of Makar Dwar of Parliament, a gate reserved exclusively for their use and that of the officials. "Members are requested not to hold protests or demonstrations in front of gates of Parliament House as such actions cause serious hindrance to the movement of members to the Parliament Chambers during sittings of the Houses," an advisory issued by secretariat said.

  The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which allows bank account holders to have up to four nominees in their accounts. Another proposed change relates to redefining 'substantial interest' for directorships, which could increase to Rs 2 crore instead of the current limit of Rs 5 lakh, which was fixed almost six decades ago. Replying to the discussions on Banking (Amendment) Bill, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, " I am very happy that India and it banking system is where it is today. I would appeal to all members to look at the world around. Where are their banking systems?" "I must credit the RBI, and finance ministry, since 2014, we have been extremely cautious and ensured that banks remain stable," she said.

 

The Rajya Sabha began functioning normally on Tuesday with members raising issues of public importance.The House took up the scheduled Zero Hour, which was followed by the Question Hour. The Rajya Sabha failed to transact any business since the start of the Winter Session on November 25 as opposition members continued to raise an uproar over several issues.

7:21 PM

Congress lead Opposition walkout in RS over farmers issue

Congress and some other opposition party MPs on Wednesday walked out of the Rajya Sabha in protest against the government's alleged anti-farmer policies and for not fulfilling the promise of increasing the minimum support price (MSP) for various crops.

 

Congress MPs raised slogans after Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar disallowed motions seeking setting aside of the business of the day to discuss the farmers' issue.

 

Dhankhar slammed their behaviour, saying the "interest of farmers is not served by sloganeering and (shedding) crocodile tears".

 

"You are only politicising it. You don't want a solution. Kisan (farmers) is your last priority," he told the agitated Congress and other opposition party MPs.

 

Amid slogan shouting, the chairman took up Zero Hour mentions.

6:51 PM

NDA allies back Bill to amend railway law

A Bill that seeks to simplify the legal framework in the Railways Act, 1989, received strong backing from NDA allies, including the TDP, Janata Dal (United), and the LJP (Ram Vilas), in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

 

However, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners also highlighted areas that need attention, particularly passenger safety and concessions for senior citizens.

 

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP GM Harish Balayogi praised the Bill for its transformative potential.

 

"This Bill marks a significant step towards shedding outdated colonial laws and replacing them with indigenous, futuristic legislation. It introduces essential changes to streamline administrative and legal procedures, empowering the Railway Board," he said.

 

Balayogi also emphasised the need to focus on the 3As -- accessibility, affordability and accountability -- stating that the railways had come a long way in the past decade but must continue prioritising these principles.

 

The Bill proposes to simplify the legal framework by incorporating the proposals of the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905, int

6:43 PM

Rajya Sabha clears bill to replace 100 years old Boiler Act

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday cleared a bill to provide for the regulation of boilers, safety of life and property of persons from the danger of explosions of steam-boilers and uniformity in registration.
 

The Boilers Bill, 2024 seeks to repeal the century old Boilers Act, 1923.
 

The bill, which aims to decriminalise seven offences and promote ease of doing business, was cleared in the Upper House by a voice vote.

6:34 PM

Cover-up in making, 'Adani scam' requires serious punitive action: Cong

The Congress Wednesday said a "cover-up" is in the making after reports claimed that Adani entities have applied for a settlement in response to SEBI show cause notices in a case that alleges violations of public shareholding norms through unfair practices.

It asserted the "scam" requires serious punitive action, including arrests and raids by investigative agencies.

4:53 PM

Quick commerce cos delivering medicines could be violating drug regulations, says DMK MP Kanimozhi

DMK leader Kanimozhi on Wednesday said the ultra-fast delivery model may increase the possibility of expired/counterfeit medicines reaching people. The DMK MP also said the 10-minute delivery of medicines model violates Indian drug regulations and poses health and safety risks to the public. "This is a dangerous model...(this will) bypass essential regulatory checks necessary for patients safety," Kanimozhi said.

4:49 PM

Boilers bill will result in better safety for workers, says BJP MP Shambu Sharan Patel

BJP leader Shambhu Sharan Patel stated that the Bill will lead to an improvement in the quality of boilers, and encourage industrialists and boost employment. 

4:21 PM

Old law on boilers does not have adequate provisions for manufacturing, maintenance, says BJP MP Brij Lal

"Modi ji has taken a vow to replace all old laws, and over 2,000 old laws, which were symbols of colonialism, have been repealed," Brij Lal said. "This Act came in place 100 years ago... Boilers are used in all industries, there are many types of boilers. Accidents also happen due to corrosion over years. The old law does not have adequate provisions for design, manufacturing and maintenance," Brij Lal argued.

4:10 PM

Boilers Bill should take into account environment and sustainability, says RS MP Dr Fauzia Khan

The Boilers Bill does not include adequate provisions pertaining to sustainability and the environment, NCP-SP MP Dr Fauzia Khan said in the Rajya Sabha. Boiler-specific legislation has been repealed in countries like the UK and South Africa, she stated, adding that  boilers are now regulated under comprehensive occupational health and safety laws.

3:14 PM

Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 will modernise the railways, says BJP MP

Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 -- is a significant step towards modernising, simplifying and strengthening the railways, BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi stated. Congress MP  MK Raghavan asked for a new decentralised body to alleviate pressure on the Railways Board. 

3:06 PM

News update: Opposition walks out from RS after being disallowed to ask questions on Jaishankar's statement

2:57 PM

Remain committed to engaging with China through bilateral discussions, says Jaishankar

“Our ties have been abnormal since 2020 when peace and tranquillity were disturbed as a result of Chinese actions,” S Jaishankar said today.  “We remain committed to engaging with China through bilateral discussions to arrive at a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for boundary settlement,” the minister added.

2:45 PM

EAM Jaishankar speaks on India-China border issue in Rajya Sabha

External Affairs Minister began his statement apprising the House of recent developments in the India-China border.

2:41 PM

Keep railways away from privatisation, Opposition MPs say

Samajwadi Party MP Neeraj Maurya demanded that the railways should not be privatised. He asserted that Railway Board should be allowed to be independent in its decision-making. 

1:43 PM

‘Hindus facing atrocities under the hands of radicals in Bangladesh’: Mathura MP Hema Malini

“I feel extremely sad and upset to see what is happening in Bangladesh to our Hindus and Hindu temples, especially Iskcon and Iskcon devotees. Continuous attacks on Hindu temples are going on, safety and security of Hindu minorities are under threat. They are facing atrocities under the hands of radicals. ISKCON is established all over the world, with nearly 1,000 centres today. They are known for spreading vedic culture all over the world...I am Krishna bhakt myself and a devotee of ISKCON,” Mathura MP Hema Malini said during the  Zero Hour.

12:49 PM

Congress, Opposition parties MPs walkout in RS over farmers issue

Congress and other opposition party MPs on Wednesday walked out of the Rajya Sabha in protest against the government's alleged anti-farmer policies and for not fulfilling the promise of increasing the minimum support price (MSP) for various crops. Congress MPs raised slogans after Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar disallowed motions seeking setting aside of the business of the day to discuss the farmers issue.