LIVE: House adjourned for the day

Catch all the latest updates here as Day 1 of Parliament's special session begins

All members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will assemble for group photographs on Tuesday morning and then participate in a function to commemorate the rich legacy of the Parliament of India and resolve to make Bharat a developed nation by 2047, before they move to the new building.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his address in the Lok Sabha and recalls the Parliamentary journey of 75 years. During his address, PM Modi said that even though the upcoming sessions will be held in the new building, starting Sept 19, the old parliamentary building will continue to inspire millions of Indians.

At Sunday’s customary all-party meeting on the eve of a parliamentary session, several participants including the Opposition and allies of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spoke in chorus for the women’s reservation Bill. They urged the government to ensure its passage in the five-day special session whose highlight will be the shifting of proceedings to the new Parliament building on September 19 — the day of the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi this year.

6:14 PM

Lok Sabha adjourned for the day

Lok Sabha has been adjourned till Tuesday, 2:15 PM.

Speaker Om Birla says, "Good debate on parliamentary democracy... I hope the new Parliament building gives you new enthusiasm.”

5:51 PM

Old Parliament building will remain etched in our memories: Union Minister Ashwini K Choubey.

The British may have approved it, but it was India's people, money and resources that built the old parliament building says Union Minister Ashwini K Choubey. 

5:21 PM

Lok Sabha panel on privileges recommends revocation of Adhir's supension

The Lok Sabha panel on privileges on Monday submitted a report recommending revocation of the suspension of Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from the Lower House. 

 

The report has been adopted by the Privileges Committee of the Lok Sabha on August 30 and Chowdhury's suspension was revoked by Speaker Om Birla on the same day.

 

The Committee, in its report, said Chowdhury's conduct of frequently interrupting or disturbing the proceedings of the House during the speech of the prime minister or other ministers was a "clear case of 'contempt of the House'."

 

"Nevertheless, in view of the regrets expressed by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Member of Parliament, during his evidence before the Committee, the Committee would recommend that no further punitive action is called for in the matter," said the report, tabled by Committee Chairman Sunil Kumar Singh.

 

"The Committee, therefore, recommend that the suspension suffered by Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury so far, be regarded as sufficient punishment and the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha may consider discontinuance/revoking the suspension at the earliest, even without waiting for the House to reassemble for the forthcoming Winter Session in November/December 2023," the report said.

 

The Congress leader was suspended from Lok Sabha on August 10 for "repeated misconduct", pending an investigation by the privileges committee.

 

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had moved a resolution for Chowdhury's suspension, saying he disturbs the House whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ministers speak or a debate is going on. The resolution was passed by a voice vote.

 

Chowdhury had later appeared before the Privileges Committee and expressed regret over his conduct. (PTI)

5:06 PM

We should resolve the issue (Cauvery) together, legal battle will not solve it: JDS HD Devegowda

4:31 PM

PM Modi to chair Union Cabinet meeting at 6:30 pm today

Prime Minister Modi will be leading a Union Cabinet meeting today at 6:30 pm. According to reports, the Cabinet will disucess the bills which have been tabled for the Special Parliament session between September 18-22. 
The meeting is expected to be held in the Parliament annexe building.

4:16 PM

Sonia Gandhi wrote many letter to PM Modi to pass Women's Reservation Bill: Congress

The Indian National Congress party is pushing for the Women's Reservation Bill to be passed in the Lok Sabha following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address in parliament. The party stated that for Congress, women empowerment was not just a election term or campaign strategy but a "firm determination." Adding that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had introduced the Constitution Amendment Bill in 1989 for one-third reservation of women in Panchayats and Municipalities. This bill was passed in the Lok Sabha, but could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha.

This was rectified on 1993 when Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao re-introduced the Constitution Amendment Bill  and it was passed and became law. As a result, there are not reportedly 1.5 million elected women in panchyats and municipalities. 

However, when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh brought the Constitution Amendment Bill for one-third reservation for women in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies, it was only passed in Rajya Sabha in 2010 and not Lok Sabha. Since then, the party states, that the bill has been waiting to pass.

Sonia Gandhi has written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi several times to pass the Women's Reservation Bill.

The party has states, "On behalf of crores of women of the country, the Indian National Congress demands that the Women's Reservation Bill, which has been passed by the Rajya Sabha, should also be passed by the Lok Sabha. Half of the country's population should be given its full rights."
 

4:04 PM

These are a historic two days for India: BJP Tejaswi Surya

4:00 PM

If they have any sincerity, Centre will pass Women's Reservation Bill: Congress KC Venugopal

Congress leader KC Venugopal pushes Lok Sabha to pass the Women's Reservation Bill, calls it Congress' "brain child."

3:47 PM

Hoped PM Modi would talk about farmers, employment, education...: AAP Sushil Gupta

AAP leader Sushil Gupta comments on PM Modi's Lok Sabha address, "All Prime Ministers who have come through must have been special and we should remember that but I had hoped PM Modi would speak about the progress we have made in the last 75 years."

3:42 PM

PM Modi praised all Prime Ministers: Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi

Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi says that moving from the old to the new parliament building is part of the journey,

3:37 PM

75 years of Independence makes it important to recall the hopes and ideals: Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva

Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva: 75 years of Independence makes it important to recall the hopes and ideals we have cherished and accomplished in this Parliament.

3:20 PM

Appreciate PM's speech where he appreciated that governance is continuity: Supriya Sule

2:41 PM

Parliament members to assemble at Central Hall tomorrow to commemorate legacy of Parliament

12:36 PM

Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, Don't understand where 75 years of Amrit Kaal came from

Speaking after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, "I don't understand where 75 years of Amrit Kaal have come from". 

12:31 PM

Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury recalls the contributions made by party leaders

Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury recalls the contributions made by party leaders