Parliament Highlights: 1922 Delhi rioters identified, Shah in Rajya Sabha

Amit Shah defending the Delhi Police said that over 700 FIRs have been lodged over the violence and special public prosectors have been appointed

6:43 PM

WATCH| Amit Shah addressing Lok Sabha LIVE

6:39 PM

Amit Shah addresses Parliament on Delhi Violence

Amit Shah addresses Parliament on Delhi Violence. The Home Minister pays tribute to all those who lost their lives in Delhi  riots and offers condolences to the family of the deceased.

6:26 PM

Delhi violence is a pogrom, says Owaisi, demands enquiry

As the lower house of parliament debates Delhi Violence, Asauddin Owaisi said, "To call it a communal riot will be a joke. It was a pogrom. This is not a question of Hindu or Muslim, this is about whether you (Govt) will rise up to your Constitutional duty. I demand an inquiry by a sitting SC or High Court judge."

6:03 PM

Minerals Laws, IBC Bill to be taken up for debate in RS, BJP issues whip

BJP has issued a whip to its Rajya Sabha MPs to be present in House tomorrow. The Minerals Laws (Amendment) Bill 2020 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019, will be taken up for discussion and passing the House.

5:39 PM

132 scientists left DRDO on personal grounds in last 5 years: Govt

A total of 132 scientists left the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) in the last five years on personal grounds, the government informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

 

In a written reply, Shripad Naik, MoS for Defence, said in 2015, 37 scientists quit the organisation, followed by 38 in 2016, 22 in 2017, 17 in 2018 and 18 in 2019. "Financial incentives have been increased to arrest brain drain and make the career of scientists in DRDO more lucrative," he added.

5:14 PM

It is time to re-think CAA: BJD MP Pinaki Misra

On CAA, BJD MP Pinaki Misra said, "We've supported CAA. Women in their mid-80s are sitting in protest at Shaheen Bagh. Perhaps this is time to think of including Muslims from countries in this region where they are in a minority. This will give them a feeling that Govt cares for them."

5:00 PM

As many as 1,487 Indian prisoners lodged in jails of Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka: MEA

Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, MoS External Affairs V Muraleedharan said 83 missing Indian defence personnel, including prisoners of war, are believed to be in Pakistan's custody. 

"The government has consistently taken up the matter with Pakistan. However, so far, Pakistan has not acknowledged the presence of these missing Indian defence personnel in its custody," he said in the written reply.

4:57 PM

Rajya Sabha has been adjourned

Rajya Sabha wasadjourned for the day after the government and the opposition agreed to discuss the recent communal violence in Delhi on Thursday.

4:49 PM

Over 1 lakh candidates recruited in Railways' Group C posts in last 3 yrs: Govt

"During the last three years, from 2017-2018 to 2019-2020 (up to March 5), a total number of 1,47,620 candidates have been empanelled for various Group 'C' posts (including Level-1) by Railways through Railway Recruitment Boards and Railway Recruitment Cells," Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said in Parliament. 

 

In a written reply he said that three recruitment examinations are in process to be conducted in the coming months.

4:46 PM

Govt gets Rs 25,900 cr in AGR dues; asks telcos to make full payment

The government has received part payment of about Rs 25,900 cr from telecom operators towards statutory dues and has again directed telcos to make full payments, MoS for Communications Sanjay Dhotre Parliament informed today. 

 

The minister said the government has "again" directed the operators to make full payments in a letter dated March 4, 2020. Read More.

4:16 PM

BJP controlled Delhi violence in less than 36 hrs: Meenakshi Lekhi

Hitting out at the Opposition, Lekhi said, "Some people have history of setting things ablaze, I have data which shows who was responsible whenever violence breaks out in the country." She further added that, the violence was brought under control within 36 hrs. 

 

Lekhi also backed Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma saying, "Anurag & Verma made comments on Jan 20 & Jan 28 respectively, while the violence started on Feb 23. Kapil Mishra was held responsible for acts of Amanatullah Khan, Sharjeel Imam and Tahir Hussain."

3:45 PM

Rs 5,275 cr remains unspent under MPLAD scheme: Govt

Govt said Rs 5,275.24 cr remained unspent under Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme as on March 4, 2020. The government released Rs 53,704.75 crore under MPLAD scheme out of which Rs 51,267.75 cr was spent, Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh said in a written reply to the LS.

 

Under MPLAD scheme, each MP has the choice to suggest to the District Collector for development works to the tune of Rs 5 crore per annum to be taken up in his/her constituency. Rajya Sabha MPs can recommend works in one or more districts in the State from where he/she has been elected. 

 

3:29 PM

Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury slams Amit Shah on Delhi violence

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury slammed Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday for Delhi Violence. "The fact is that humanity was defeated," he said, and asked for an explanation from Shah on why the violence continued for three days.

2:41 PM

Lok Sabha passes motion to revoke suspension of 7 Congress MPs

2:25 PM

6 Indian health officials in Iran to set up testing facilities

6 Indian health officials are deputed in Iran to set up sampling & testing facilities there. 108 samples were received in India on March 7. People who tested negative were brought back yesterday. Samples of 529 more Indians are being tested in NIV Pune, Foreign Minister Jaishankar tells Parliament