Page 10 - Lok Sabha

Kerala CM protecting those behind controversial 'kafir' post: Oppn UDF

The Congress-led opposition UDF on Friday continued its attack on the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala over the "kafir" campaign that was carried out hours before the LS polls in Vadakara constituency, by accusing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of protecting those who were behind it. The issue in question pertains to a social media post put up ahead of the Vadakara election that reportedly asked people not to vote for LDF candidate K K Shailaja as she was a "kafir" (non-believer). Terming it a hate campaign akin to a terror act which was aimed at dividing people along religious lines for political gains, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly V D Satheesan questioned why no case had been registered till date against those who spread the controversial post on social media. Satheesan also questioned how the CM, who holds charge of the Home Department, can feign ignorance about the affidavit filed by the police in the Kerala High Court reportedly stating that the post in question was circulated

Rahul 1st LoP in 10 yrs to attend I-Day event; made to sit in 2nd last row

Senior Congress leader and LoP, Rahul Gandhi, sat with Olympic medallists Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh in the second-last row

Waqf Bill parliamentary review panel to have 31 MPs: Party-wise breakdown

The Waqf Amendment Bill seeks to overhaul the existing Waqf Act by introducing sweeping changes including representation of Muslim women, non-Muslims in the institutions among other measures

PIL seeks disqualification of all Cong MPs for financial guarantees

A PIL has been filed before the Allahabad High Court seeking the disqualification of all 99 Congress MPs, arguing that the party's 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee Scheme' launched during the Lok Sabha poll campaign amounted to bribery under law. The public interest litigation (PIL) has also sought direction against the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of failing to act against the Congress campaign. Despite the ECI's advisory issued on May 2 this year, warning political parties against such practices, the petition alleged that the Congress continued its distribution of these cards compromising the fairness of the electoral process. According to the PIL, the 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee Scheme' involves the distribution of guarantee cards that promise various financial and material benefits in exchange of votes. The promise amounts to bribery under Section 123(1)(A) of the Representation of People's Act, 1951 and is punishable under Sections 171B and 171E of the Indian Penal Code, it .

Lok Sabha passes Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill to replace Aircraft Act

The Lok Sabha on Friday passed a bill to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act and further improve the ease of doing business in the aviation space. The Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024 seeks to remove redundancies and replace the Aircraft Act, 1934 -- which has been amended 21 times -- at a time when India is one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets in the world. Moving the bill for passage in the Lower House, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the ministry will be setting up an "efficient online mechanism" to address grievances of people, including about the rise in airfares, and ensure a timely response. The ministry is looking at having a balanced approach where there is a level playing field for the airlines and the people are not exploited with higher airfares, he said. The bill includes provisions to regulate the design and manufacturing of aircraft to support the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative for self-reliance. Naidu said the civil aviation ministry

11 Bills introduced, 3 passed as Budget session of Parliament concludes

LS devoted 27 hrs and 19 minutes to discuss the Union Budget against the allotted 20 hrs

Parliament session highlights: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha highlights: Here are the news updates on the developments in the Parliament

Sarbananda Sonowal introduces two shipping-related bills in Lok Sabha

Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday introduced two bills -- Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, and the Bills of Lading Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha. The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, seeks to comply with the international convention and with the changing global scenario in the shipping industry. Saugata Roy (TMC) opposed the introduction of the bill saying that the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925, has been serving its purpose for the past 100 years and The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, only has some minor amendments. "This superfluous legislation should be done away with, it does not help the country," Roy said. Responding to Roy, Sonowal said the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925, is already 100 year-old and hence to comply with the international convention and changing global scenario it was necessary to bring in simplification for ease of understanding of the law. "I believe this bill is necessary and is imperative to bring certain ..

Govt tables banking laws bill in LS, seeks to raise nominees per a/c to 4

The government is scheduled to introduce the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 which seeks to increase the option for nominees per bank account to four, from existing one, among others. 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. As per the revised list of business of Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to introduce the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 later in the day. Besides, sources said there are some changes with respect to cooperative banks. In addition, the Bill also seeks to give greater freedom to banks in deciding the remuneration to be paid to statutory auditors. The Bill also seeks to redefine the reporting dates for banks for regulatory compliance to the 15th and last day of every month instead of the second and fourth Fridays. The Bill, which was approved by the Union Cabinet l

SC dismisses plea against election of Amritpal Singh as Lok Sabha MP

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea against the election of jailed radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh as an MP from Punjab's Khadoor Sahib. The petitioner claimed before a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan that Article 84 of the Constitution deals with qualification for membership of Parliament and says that a person shall not be qualified to be chosen to fill a seat in Parliament unless he is a citizen of India. "In this case, respondent number four (Amritpal Singh) had said that he does not owe allegiance to the Constitution of India," the petitioner, who appeared in-person, said. "You file an election petition," the bench said. The petitioner said he was not a voter of Khadoor Sahib constituency but was "deeply hurt" by the statements given earlier by Singh. "It is a matter of evidence. There are procedures prescribed. There are provisions in the Representation of the People Act," the bench observed. "Thank you. Dismissed," the bench said while refusin

Cong seeks withdrawal of Mandaviya's remark on Phogat's disqualification

Congress MP Manickam Tagore gave the adjournment motion notice regarding the statement of Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandivya

Waqf Bill referred to joint committee of Parliament amid Opposition uproar

Oppn says move aims at targeting Muslims

Union Budget 2024: Parliament approves Appropriation Bill, Finance Bill

Parliamentary approval for the Budget 2024-25 was completed on Thursday with the Rajya Sabha returning the relevant legislations to the Lok Sabha after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's spirited reply to the debate emphasising Budget was aimed at promoting investments and creating jobs. The Rajya Sabha returned the Appropriation Bill and the Finance Bill to the Lok Sabha, thus completing the budgetary exercise for 2024-25. The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill too was returned to the Lower House. Earlier, these bills were approved by the Lok Sabha. Sitharaman presented the Budget in the Lok Sabha on July 23. It was her seventh Budget. Replying to the discussions in the Upper House, the minister said the Union Budget balances different overriding imperatives, including growth, employment, capital expenditure, and fiscal consolidation. "In a nutshell, the Union Budget this year balances several overriding imperatives, growth, employment generation, capital investment, and fis

News updates: PM Modi to visit landslide-affected sites in Kerala's Wayanad on Aug 10

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Govt proposes JPC scrutiny over controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill

Opposition parties have criticised the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it an attack on the Constitution, religious freedoms, and the federal structure of India

Vinesh deserves the vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Haryana: Ex-CM BS Hooda

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that if he had the majority, he would have allocated the vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Haryana to wrestler, Vinesh Phogat

Cong, allies oppose Waqf Amendment bill, seek review by standing committee

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is listed for introduction by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in Lok Sabha

Govt data reveals over 50,000 real estate cases pending in consumer courts

Over 50,000 cases related to real estate are pending in consumer courts, according to the government data. In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs B L Verma informed about the details of cases pending in consumer commissions relating to real estate. As per the data, there have been 2,44,813 cases filed in consumer courts at national, state and district levels. Out of that 1,94,555 cases have been disposed and 50,258 cases are pending as on July 31, 2024. "The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provides for three tier quasi-judicial machinery at district, state and central levels commonly known as 'Consumer Commissions' for protection of the rights of consumers and to provide simple and speedy redressal of consumer disputes," Verma said. The Act provides for simplification of the adjudication process in the consumer commissions; filing of a complaint by a consumer in the consumer commission; virtual hearing; deemed admissibility of complaints if .

Rising dog bites: BJP MP urges committee to address 'atmosphere of terror'

BJP's Lok Sabha MP from Ghaziabad, Atul Garg, said that 3.05 million people in India have been bitten by dogs, with 286 fatalities resulting from these bites

ED registered more than 5,200 money-laundering cases since 2014: Govt

More than 5,200 money-laundering cases have been registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), with convictions obtained in 40 and acquittal in three since 2014, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday. The data was provided by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. A total of 5,297 cases were lodged under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the ED between 2014 and 2024, the data said. It said 40 cases resulted in conviction during the said period. However, one case resulted in acquittal during this year while two cases led to acquittals in 2017, the data shared by the minister showed. A total of 375 accused are currently under arrest under the anti-money laundering law for the period between 2016 and 2024, he stated. Rai also provided similar data for cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), apart from acquittals and convictions under the anti-terror law between 2014 and 2022