Lok Sabha passes quota Bill for economically weak in general category

Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi were present in the House when the Bill was passed. The government will table the Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday

4:37 PM

Deputy Chairman Harivansh repeatedly requested the members not to raise slogans and that important business was listed. Sensing the mood, he adjourned the Rajya Sabha for 15 minutes till 2:21 PM.

4:37 PM

In the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition members were in the Well, shouting slogans about alleged misuse of CBI and continuously demanding discussion under Rule 267.

4:37 PM

Amid the ruckus, Health Minister J P Nadda moved The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018, in the Rajya Sabha for consideration and passage after T Subbarami Reddy could not move the statutory resolution disapproving the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance.

4:37 PM

As soon as the Rajya Sabha resumed its business in the afternoon, the Opposition stood up and started raising slogans. They shouted "stop misuse of CBI", while the SP demanded a discussion on the issue under Rule 267 suspending the listed business of the House. The SP and BSP members trooped into the Well and soon, amid the din, Congress members also joined them and started raising slogans. 

4:37 PM

The Upper House witnessed unruly scenes, with almost the entire Opposition on its feet over the alleged misuse of the CBI and the demand for a discussion on the issue under Rule 267 suspending the listed business. 

4:36 PM

Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day

 

Rajya Sabha on Tuesday witnessed frequent adjournments, washing out proceeding before adjourning for the day even as the House extended its sitting by a day till Wednesday. (Read more here) 

4:16 PM

Quota Bill explained

 

1) The Bill, cleared by the Union Cabinet on Monday with an eye on the upper castes vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, seeks to amend Articles 15 and 16 under whose present provisions the benefits of the existing reservations are generally not available for the economically weaker sections of the forward castes. (Read more here)  

 

2) The statement of objects and reasons appended to the Bill said that the economically weaker sections of citizens have largely remained excluded from attending the higher educational institutions and public employment on account of their financial incapacity to compete with those persons who are economically more privileged.

 

3) The benefits of existing reservations under clauses (4) and (5) of Article 15 and clause (4) of Article 16 are generally unavailable to them unless they meet the specific criteria of social and educational backwardness, it said.

 

4) Under the Constitution (93rd Amendment) Act, 2005, clause (5) was inserted in Article 15 of the Constitution which enables the State to make special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens, or for the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes, in relation to their admission in higher educational institutions.

 

5) Similarly, clause (4) of Article 16 of the Constitution enables the State to make special provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State.

 

6) However, the statement of the objects and reasons said the economically weaker sections of citizens were not eligible for the benefit of reservation.

 

7) "With a view to fulfil the mandate of Article 46, and to ensure that economically weaker sections of citizens to get a fair chance of receiving higher education and participation in employment in the services of the State, it has been decided to amend the Constitution of India," it said.

 

8) Accordingly, the Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019 provides for reservation for the economically weaker sections of society in higher educational institutions, including private institutions aided or unaided by the State other than the minority educational institutions referred to in article 30 of the constitution and also provides for reservation for them in posts in initial appointment in services under the State, the government said in a statement. 

4:15 PM

No objections against quota Bill for upper castes in LS

 

The government on Tuesday introduced a Constitution amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha that seeks to provide 10 per cent reservation for economically backward sections in the general category in government jobs and higher educational institutions. The introduction of the Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019 by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawarchand Gehlot was a smooth affair in the House with no member raising any objection. (Read more here) 

3:37 PM

Women representation in CRPF, CISF to be made 15%: Rijiju

 

Women representation in the CRPF and CISF will be made 15 per cent, while it will be five per cent in BSF, ITBP and SSB, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday. Rijiju said in Lok Sabha that the central government has been working for enhancement of women representation in the constabulary of paramilitary forces. (Read more here) 

3:33 PM

What is the trade unions Bill about?

 

1) The present Act provides for only registration of trade unions and there is no provision for recognition.

 

2) According to the government, the amendments will facilitate recognition of trade unions at central and state level; ensure true representation of workers in tripartite bodies; check on the arbitrary nomination of workers' representatives by the government; and reduce litigation and industrial unrest.

 

3) The proposed Bill will ensure that the nomination of workers' representatives in tripartite bodies by the government will become more transparent. The trade unions so recognised will be accountable in maintaining industrial harmony.

 

4) However, the recognition of trade union is governed by guidelines in the 'Code of Discipline' evolved in 1958, voluntarily accepted by employers and employees.

 

5) The recognition is necessary because recognised trade union of an industry or establishment gets bargaining or negotiating rights with the employer.

 

6) The recognition of trade unions at central/state level will reduce duplicacy of such exercise by different departments. Recognised trade unions may be assigned specific roles at central or state level. 

3:32 PM

Bill to provide statutory recognition to trade unions in LS

 

The government on Tuesday introduced a Bill in Lok Sabha to make provisions regarding recognition of trade unions, drawing opposition from the Congress as well as the CPI(M), which staged a walkout calling it a "draconian and unconstitutional" legislation. (Read more here) 

 

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved amendment to the Trade Unions Act, 1926, to make provisions regarding recognition of Trade Unions.

3:24 PM

3:17 PM

What are the proposed amendments to the POCSO Act

 

1) Sections 4, 5, 6 of the Act are proposed to be amended to provide the option of stringent punishment, including death penalty, for committing aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a child.

 

2) Besides, Section 9 of the Act is being amended to protect children from sexual offences in times of natural calamities and disasters and in cases where children are administered any hormone or chemical substance to attain early sexual maturity for the purpose of penetrative sexual assault.

 

3) The Bill proposes a fine of not less than Rs 1,000 for not destroying or deleting or reporting the pornographic material involving a child. In case of subsequent offence, the fine would be not less than Rs 5,000 crore.

 

4) The offender can be further penalised with 3-year jail term or fine or both for transmitting, propagating, administrating such material. 

3:17 PM

Govt introduces amendments to POCSO Act in LS

 

The government on Tuesday introduced in Lok Sabha amendments to the POCSO Act, which provides for death penalty for aggravated sexual assault on children, making it gender neutral and introducing provisions against child pornography and for enhancing punishment for certain offences. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019, seeks to protect children from offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography and provide for establishment of Special Courts for trial of such offences. (Read more here) 

2:52 PM

Govt to address Assam and Bodo people’s issues: Rajnath Singh
 

Govt to address Assam and Bodo people’s issues. Govt has taken measures to redress long pending issues.