Parliament proceedings live | Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 a.m. as Opposition parties raise slogans against increasing fuel prices

The second part of the Budget Session of Parliament is set to begin from today but its duration is likely to be curtailed as most top politicians are busy campaigning for Assembly polls taking place in March-April. As of now, the Session will conclude on April 8.

Focus of the government in the second part of the session is to get the various demands for grants for the year 2021-22 passed along with the Finance Bill which carries various tax proposals. Some of the bills listed by the government include the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Bill, Electricity (Amendment) Bill, Crypto currency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill.

The first part of the Budget session started on January 29 with the President’s address to joint sitting of both houses of Parliament. The address was boycotted by over 20 opposition parties, including the Congress, in support of the demand of the protesting farmers for the repeal of the three farm laws.

Here are the latest updates:

Rajya Sabha | 10.00 am

Opposition raises slogans against the rising fuel prices

Question Hour starts amidst noisy protests from the Opposition benches.

Pointing at the Opposition benches, who are raising slogans against the government on rising fuel prices, Mr. Naidu says, “this will not be reported or relayed”.

Mr. Naidu says, “You don’t want the House to continue, you want to deprive the people from questions, this a mockery of democracy.”

“I don’t want to take any drastic action on the first day of the session.”

The house is adjourned till 11:00 a.m.

Rajya Sabha | 9.50 am

Leader of Opposition Kharge seeks a discussion on increasing fuel prices

Chairman Naidu says, “I have received a notice under Rule 267, from Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, to suspend Business to discuss the rising and frequent increase in fuel prices.”

“I believe we can discuss the issue in the course of the ,” Mr. Naidu says.

Mr. Kharge says, “This is a burning issue. You are well aware that the petrol prices are now nearly Rs. 100 per litre and diesel is more than Rs. 80 per litre.”

Mr Naidu stops Mr. Kharge from making a speech on the issue. Mr. Kharge continues to speak on the issue, “The entire country is suffering.”

Mr. Naidu says Rule 267 is at the discretion of the Chair. To Mr. Kharge he says, “I allowed you to mention the subject. But there are multiple opportunities to discuss it in the course of the Session, during appropriation of Bill discussion.”

The Congress MPs oppose Mr Naidu’s ruling.

Rajya Sabha | 9.30 am

Women MPs speak on the occasion of Women’s Day

Zero Hour begins.

Women MPs speak on the occasion of women’s day.

Chhaya Verma, of the Congress from Chhattisgarh says, “The slogan of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao sounds good, but is far from the reality with so many cases of crime against women.”

Chairman Naidu says we should not drag politics into Women’s Day speeches.

Saroj Pandey of the BJP defends the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ slogan, and says that under the Modi regime, the sex ratio has improved.

Sonal Mansingh of the BJP says, “if we celebrate Women’s Day, then we should celebrate Men’s day too.”

Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena says, “we should reserve 50% of the seats in Parliament for women. If we constitute 50% of the population, then why not give us 50% reservation.”

Seema Dwivedi of BJP says she hasn’t been differentiated against for being a woman in her career as a politician. “The men around me been very supportive.” She wishes all women on International Women’s Day.

Sampatiya Uikey of the BJP says women representation in all levels of governance has been on the rise. “All women, be it a woman in rural areas or in the urban areas, they are getting a lot of respect,” she says.

Rajya Sabha | 9.25 am

Denounce practises derogatory to women: Naidu

Chairman Naidu commends the contribution of women in fight against the pandemic and in the development of the nation. “We should denounce all practices derogatory to women,” he says, adding that one half of the population cannot be left behind if the nation wants to progress.

Ripun Bora of the Congress seeks permission of the House to remain absent for the duration of the session.

Rajya Sabha | 9.15 am

House saw high productivity in recent sessions: Chairman

The Opposition parties are up on their seats demanding a discussion on rising fuel prices. The Congress has moved an adjournment motion on the issue.

Mr. Naidu compliments Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who has taken over as Leader of Opposition after the retirement of Ghulam Nabi Azad.

He congratulates the House for the high productivity in the recent sessions. He says the first part of the Budget session saw 100% productivity.

Mr. Naidu reads out the details of working of the standing committee, and says participation of non-Congress parties is very limited and the number of members who have not attended a single meeting of the committee has increased.

Footfall in the Parliament library  is not encouraging, Mr. Naidu says. “Visit the library, it is your own library.”

“I appeal to all the Members, to make it a point to be in the House, observe the debate, and enrich your knowledge,” Mr. Naidu says.

Rajya Sabha | 9.00 am

Proceedings begin in Rajya Sabha

Former Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) MP Biswajit Diamary  takes oath as BJP MP. He had resigned from BPF to join the BJP. Mr. Daimary takes oath in Bodo language.

Newly elected BJP MPs from Gujarat Rambhai Harjibhai Mokariya and Dineshchandra Anavadiya take oath. The two seats had fallen vacant on death of Congress leader Ahmed Patel and BJP MP Abhay Bharadwaj.

Chairman Venkaiah Naidu asks the Members not to wear party symbols inside the house.

Chairman Venkaiah Naidu reads out obituaries for ex-Members Vidya Sagar Nishad, M. Rama Jois and Satish Sharma.

Agenda

Lok Sabha

Bills for consideration and passing:

The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2021

The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021

Rajya Sabha

Bills for consideration and passing:

The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2021

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020

The National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Bill, 2019