The Budget session of Parliament has been extended by a day till February 10, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced on Wednesday. The session, which began on January 31, was otherwise slated to end on February 9. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had said on Tuesday that the government will table a 'white paper' comparing the state of the Indian economy before and after 2014, when the BJP came to power defeating the Congress. With the agenda items like the Finance Bill, budget discussion and demand for grants yet to be taken up by Parliament and the white paper also to be tabled, sources had said it was considered necessary to extend the session's duration by a day. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the 'white paper' to highlight the country's poor economic condition when the Congress-led UPA left power, as often charged by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and how the incumbent dispensation brought the turn around. She will table it in b
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday said India's youths have not only contributed to the development of their own country but also towards other nations by excelling in all fields. Addressing a students' parliament event organised by Delhi University's Hindu College as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations, he said the exceptional talent of India's youths was being acknowledged around the world. "Today, when many economies in the world are declining, India is moving upwards because of its youths. There is no field in which Indian youths have not excelled, especially technology," Birla said. He said that in the 75th year of India's Independence, there is a need to set new goals to channelise the power of the youths to take the country to newer heights. "We are all proud that India is the largest democracy in the world," the Lok Sabha speaker said, adding that in the 75 years of India's democratic journey, the country has moved ahead with dialogue, discussions, agreements and .
Company secretaries have a major role to play in the country's corporate governance structure in the country and their expertise is required for better formulation of corporate laws, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Friday. He was speaking at the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) national awards for excellence in corporate governance function in the national capital. "The ICSI and its members have a major role to play in the formulation of Corporate Governance Structure of the country as the wisdom and expertise of company secretaries is required for the better formulation of corporate laws," Birla was quoted as saying in a release issued by the ICSI. Birla mentioned about the complexities in the processes of corporate governance and the amendments that are made therein, and urged industry experts to help in capacity building. According to him, the excellence of corporate governance depends on company secretaries, as through their work they ensure transparency in t
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday said India is changing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and becoming economically powerful, and all of us should contribute to this transformation. He was speaking at the inauguration of 'Agroha Dham' community hall built by the Agrawal community here. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai was also present at the programme. "Today the country is changing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India is becoming an economically powerful country. We should also contribute to this economic transformation. Our youth, as entrepreneurs, can strengthen the economic system by using new technologies," Birla said. Society will have to work collectively alongwith the government, and therefore the prime minister has said that if 140 crore people work together, we will be able to fulfill the vow of making India a developed nation, he added. The Agrawal community made a big contribution to the freedom movement, he ...
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The Lok Sabha, which was adjourned sine die a day ahead of schedule on Thursday, recorded 74 per cent productivity in the Winter Session of Parliament, Speaker Om Birla said. Birla in his concluding remarks said that the House held 14 sittings and worked for 61 hours and 50 minutes. He said that a total of 18 bills, including Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Sanhita - to replace the IPC, CrPC and the Indian Evidence Act, were passed in the Lok Sabha. The bills that were passed in the Lok Sabha also include the Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Telecommunications Bill, 2023. Birla mentioned that 55 starred questions were answered orally during the Session. A total number of 265 matters were taken up under Rule 377, he added. The speaker brought to the attention of the House that the department-related Standing Committees of the Lok Sabha presented 35 reports. During the ses
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday warned Congress MPs DK Suresh, Deepak Baij and Nakul Nath against protesting in the House. As the House met this morning, opposition MPs continued their protest against suspension of MPs from the House, and demanded a discussion on the Parliament security breach issue and a statement by Home Minister Amit Shah. Opposition MPs could be heard raising slogans as the Question Hour was taken up. Soon after the Question Hour concluded, the Speaker warned the protesting members, and named the three Congress MPs. "I have not suspended any MP without any reason. You are tearing and throwing papers in the House. MPs are coming to me and asking me to suspend them," the speaker said. "I don't want to suspend anyone but you bring placards in the House...this is not right," he said. Two more opposition members in Lok Sabha were suspended on Wednesday for displaying placards, taking the total number of members of the lower House against whom such action ha
The Delhi police on Wednesday night detained Bengaluru techie from his home in Bagalkot in connection with the massive security breach in Parliament on December 13
Banerjee had mimicked Vice President Dhankhar during the opposition's protest on the stairs of Parliament on Tuesday against the suspension of MPs, drawing strong condemnation from the ruling BJP
The Speaker said he will continue to consult the members on the issue and urged them to take their seats
The new Bill states that the Centre be vested with the power to waive entry fees, licence fees, and penalties in the interest of consumers
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday rejected suggestions that the suspension of 13 opposition members was linked to their protests over the recent security breach and recalled that the House had displayed exemplary solidarity and collective resolve when breaches had happened in the past. On December 13 afternoon, two men jumped inside the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors' gallery with canisters of yellow smoke. They were pinned down by MPs who were in the House during the Zero Hour. With protests by the opposition disrupting Parliament proceedings, Birla wrote a letter to all MPs, informing that he had constituted a "high-powered committee" to review all aspects of security in the Parliament complex and formulate a concrete action plan to ensure that such incidents do not recur. This committee is in addition to a CRPF director general headed panel which is investigating the incident. The speaker said he will share its report with the House once it is submitted. With oppositio
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Saturday informed members of the House he has formed a "high-powered committee" to review various aspects of security in the Parliament complex and formulate an action plan to ensure that the December 13 incident is not repeated. In a letter to Lok Sabha members, Birla also said the report of the high-level inquiry committee set up by the Union home ministry will "soon" be shared with the House. "In addition, I have also constituted a High Powered Committee which will review various aspects of security in the Parliament Complex and formulate a concrete action plan to ensure that such incidents do not recur," he said in the letter. On December 13 afternoon, two men jumped inside the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors' gallery with canisters of yellow smoke. They were pinned down by the MPs who were in the House during the Zero Hour. Two more people, including a woman, were held for holding a demonstration outside the Parliament complex.
A Delhi court on Friday sent Lalit Jha, arrested in the Parliament security breach case, to 7-day police custody for his sustained custodial interrogation. Special Judge Hardeep Kaur remanded Jha in Delhi police's custody after the public prosecutor said he was the mastermind of the incident and was required to be questioned to unearth the entire conspiracy. The court passed the order on an application filed by the city police which sought his custody for 15 days.
Opposition parties will continue their aggressive protests in both Houses of Parliament and press for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on the Parliament security breach issue, sources said on Friday. According to the sources, during their floor coordination meeting this morning, leaders of the INDIA parties decided to continue their aggressive stance in Lok Sabha as well as Rajya Sabha. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been witnessing multiple adjournments due to disruptions since two men jumped in the Lok Sabha gallery on Wednesday, following which opposition MPs demanded a statement from the home minister. Opposition MPs have also demanded a discussion on the issue, and action against the BJP MP who authorised the entry of at least one of the culprits. A Rajya Sabha member said when Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar called a meeting of floor leaders around 1 pm, opposition leaders refused to attend it. "We do not want any backdoor talks. Government should answer on the floor
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday said a high-level probe is on in the Parliament security breach incident, as opposition MPs continued with their protest, demanding a statement on the issue from Home Minister Amit Shah and a discussion in both Houses. Asked about the opposition's allegation that the Centre is trying to suppress its voice, Joshi said, "No one is trying to suppress anyone's voice, it is their opinion. I want to say, come and debate. Two bills are listed today. On Monday, there are three important bills to replace the IPC, the CrPC and the Evidence Act. We want a detailed discussion. We have allotted 15 hours." In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on Wednesday, two men -- Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D -- jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during the Zero Hour, released a yellow-coloured smoke from canisters and shouted slogans, before being overpowered by the MPs. Amid demands fr
Lok Sabha security breach: Two unidentified men with canisters jumped from the visitor's gallery of the Lok Sabha
The incident took place when Khagen Murmu, a BJP member of Parliament from Maldaha, was speaking in the Lok Sabha
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident of two persons jumping into the house chamber from the public gallery with smoke canisters. Birla lauded the Lok Sabha members, security personnel, chamber staff, and marshals for rising to the occasion and capturing the perpetrators. He said in 2001 too central paramilitary forces and other security had made collective efforts and prevented a terror attack on Parliament. "The incident is a matter of concern and we are carrying out a high-level inquiry into this incident. The future course of action will be decided as per the findings of the probe," Birla said when the House re-assembled at 4 pm. He said a comprehensive review will be carried out of the existing security system in Parliament. "This has also been sought by members of parliament. What all improvement can be done in the security measure will be assessed after discussing it matter with members," Birla said. "The security will be fu
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday said the security lapse in the House is being thoroughly probed and called a meeting of MPs from all parties later in the day to address their concerns over the matter. As the House met at 2 pm, amid concerns raised by various leaders, including on the threat video recently released by designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, Speaker Birla said it will not be right to discuss the issue in the House. In a major security breach on the 22nd anniversary of Parliament terror attack, two intruders jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour and released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by MPs. Around the same time, two persons, including a woman, also sprayed coloured gas from canisters while shouting slogans outside Parliament premises. Birla informed the House that four persons have been arrested - two from inside the House, and two from outside Parliament in connection with