The Left asked why the Bill does not ensure that the price of agriculture produce is linked with MSP.Parliament Monsoon Session Highlights: The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed two contentious legislations ––– Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, through voice vote. Moving the bills in the Lower House, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said they are aimed at making farming profitable and clarified that these bills would not have any impact on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism which will continue. He further assured that these legislations would not encroach upon the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Acts of the states.
While opposition parties including Congress, Trinamool Congress, RSP opposed the bills, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur, belonging to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) which is a member of BJP-led NDA, resigned from the government in protest over the ordinances. Targeting SAD president Sukhbir Badal and his wife and Union Cabinet Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Congress, AAP and SAD (Democratic) had demanded that the latter resign from the Union Cabinet as her position is “untenable” following her party’s stance against the agriculture Bills. Farmers in Punjab and Haryana have been protesting against three ordinances promulgated by the Centre on June 5. After the Monsoon Session of Parliament began this week, the government had introduced three Bills to replace these ordinances.
On the fourth day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke on the military standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh on Thursday. Asserting that China continues to be in illegal occupation of approx 38,000 sq. kms in the Union Territory of Ladakh, the Defence Minister also said, “Chinese actions reflect a disregard of our various bilateral agreements. The amassing of the troops by China goes against the 1993 & 1996 Agreements.”
Parliament LIVE updates: Face masks have been made compulsory for all the members during this session. (Express Photo by Renuka Puri)
Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 pm Friday.
Lok Sabha on Thursday passed two legislations ––– Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, through voice vote.
Bengal Congress President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury targetted the Centre over the farm bills. He said that he appreciated the stand of Harsimrat Kaur to resign frm the cabinet to protest against the "draconian law".
Congress leader K C Venugopal on Thursday demanded a probe by a parliamentary committee into Facebook’s alleged interference in the country’s electoral democracy and that the social media platform publish all hate speech posts that were allowed since 2014. Making a special mention in Rajya Sabha, Venugopal said media reports have revealed about Facebook India’s “blatant biases and dubious practices” in content regulation. “This is a damning and serious allegation of Facebook India’s interference in the country’s electoral democracy,” he said, adding that India is one of the biggest markets in terms of users for Facebook and WhatsApp. Read more here
Mahua Moitra, a TMC MP from West Bengal's Krishnanagar said that the government is attacking the spirit of federalism. "By legislating on the farm sector, the government has once again done what it does best, that is aggrandising itself the authority that is simply not vested in it by the Constitution."
Moitra pointed out that the government's interference in a state subject will create unnecessary ambiguity and rural divide. She said that the bill creates two trade areas, one trade area under new Bills, other already existing under the APMC act, which will create confusion. She said that the Bill doesn't have any mention of license in this new trade area, which will make farmers vulnerable to unscrupulous practices, as the state governments will not be able to regulate.
Stressing that Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which is a member of BJP-led NDA, opposed the farm bills moved by the government, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Thursday said that Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur will resign from the government in protest over the ordinances. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday moved The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, in Lok Sabha. Congress MP from Ludhiana, Punjab, Ravneet Singh Bittu, RSP MP N K Premachandran among others opposed the ordinances terming it the Centre's attempt to destroy agriculture.
Shiromani Akali Dal, which is a member of BJP-led NDA, too opposed the Agriculture Bills.
Farmers in Punjab and Haryana have been protesting against three ordinances promulgated by the Centre on June 5. After the Monsoon Session of Parliament began this week, the government has introduced three Bills to replace these ordinances. Lok Sabha passed one of these on Tuesday, and the other two are listed for consideration and passing during the current session. Read our explainer here
The government on Thursday said it has rejected Pakistan's "obsession" with "territorial aggrandisement" supported by cross border terrorism, in a reference to Islamabad unveiling a new political map laying claim to Indian territories. Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said the government continues to respond "appropriately" to Pakistan's malicious actions and propaganda, including on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, at various international fora. He was replying to a written question on the issue in Rajya Sabha. Pakistan released the new map on August 4 laying claim to union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and parts of Gujarat. "Government has rejected Pakistan's obsession with territorial aggrandisement supported by cross border terrorism," Muraleedharan said in the written reply, calling release of the map by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan as "absurd". (PTI)
The government is using the COVID pandemic situation to bulldoze agricultural sector reforms through ordinances, and thereby misusing the Presidential power under Article 123 of the Constitution, said N K Premachandran, Revolutionary Socialist Party in Lok Sabha. "My humble submission to the government is that the bills be sent to the standing committee for scrutiny, otherwise, it will be another disaster for the farming community in India," said Premachandran.
Rajya Sabha MP and PDP leader Mir Mohammad Fayaz on Thursday demanded release of all detained political leaders and workers, including his party's chief Mehbooba Mufti, saying they are under detention in Jammu and Kashmir for over one year. Raising the matter during Zero Hour in the Upper House of Parliament, Fayaz said Article 370 was abrogated on August 5 last year and thousands, including political leaders, were arrested on the same night. (PTI)
A group of Punjab Congress leaders on Thursday said their party was totally in unison over the farm bills, and did not need a whip to vote against the Centre's "reprehensible bid to destroy" the agriculture. They were reacting to the statement of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema who had said that Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had led a delegation to submit a memorandum to the governor on the issue instead of directing his MPs to express solidarity with the farming community by voting against the agri ordinances. (PTI)
Congress MPs from Punjab burnt copies of the farm bills proposed by the government inside the Parliament complex on Thursday even as the party staged a protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue. The Congress is opposed to the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 that the NDA government has proposed in Parliament during the ongoing monsoon session, replacing the ordinances issued by it earlier. Congress MPs Jasbir Singh Gill, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Gurjit Singh Aujla and Amar Singh burnt copies of the bills and said they will oppose the proposed legislations tooth and nail. They also wore black robes, saying "I am a farmer and farm labourer and don't betray me". (PTI)
The government Thursday said it did not incur any expenses for the 'Howdy-Modi' event at Houston in the US in September last year and that it was organised by a not-for-profit group. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by US President Donald Trump, addressed a crowd of over 50,000 Indian-Americans at the event in a stadium in Houston on September 22, 2019. "A US-based not-for-profit organisation namely the Texas India Forum Inc. organised an event titled, 'Howdy, Modi! Shared Dreams, Bright Futures' in Houston on September 22, 2019," Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said in the Rajya Sabha.
Congress MP from Ludhiana, Punjab, Ravneet Singh Bittu opposes the farm bills.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar moves The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, in Lok Sabha. (Screengrab: LSTV)
Discussion on The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, in Lok Sabha
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla extends birthday wishes to PM Narendra Modi on behalf of all the members of the House.
Lok Sabha session resumes after an hour of adjournment.
Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla makes obituary reference about Balli Durga Prasad Rao, a YSRCP MP, who passed recently passed away at the age of 64. House is adjourned till 4 pm.
Lok Sabha session begins.
Noting that several countries have already secured favourable commitment for supply of a COVID-19 vaccine, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday said India should be well placed to get the vaccine at an "affordable price" and at an "early stage" through a mechanism like pooled procurement. However, the government should be "over cautious" about the quality, safety and efficacy of a new vaccine as any long term side effects would impact India which has a large and young population, he said.
Participating in a debate on COVID-19 pandemic in the Upper House, the former health minister attacked the government for losing "golden months" to stop the spread of the disease despite a warning from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in December 2019 about the spread of a mysterious pneumonia in neighbouring China. "It was happening in our neighbourhood, we should have been alert," he said, adding that even former Congress President Rahul Gandhi had warned about the coming of a pandemic of this nature in March.
Legal assistance was provided in a total of 2,878 cases of domestic violence by the NALSA in the lockdown period of April to June, the government informed Parliament on Thursday. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said 694 cases were resolved through counselling and mediation in the said period. "As per the information received from NALSA (National Legal Services Authority) for the period from April 2020 to June 2020, legal aid and assistance have been provided in 2,878 domestic violence cases and petitions have been filed in 452 cases under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA)," she said. Irani said the government ensured that during the nationwide lockdown, the one-stop centres (OSCs) and women helplines (WHL), which support women on matters pertaining to safety, remained operational.
The Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP clashed over the issue of COVID-19 management in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, with the AAP terming as "foolish" the prime minister's call to clap and beat utensils in honour of coronavirus warriors. BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi hit back, saying the PM's move was symbolic and sought to unite the country socially just like Mahatma Gandhi chose the symbol of 'charkha' for national cohesion during the freedom struggle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in March asked people to clap, beat steel plates and ring bells to express gratitude towards those risking their lives and working tirelessly during the coronavirus outbreak. Singh, while participating in the debate on COVID-19, further used the occasion to accuse the government of looking for opportunity in times of disaster and alleged corruption in the procurement of equipment to fight the disease including thermometers and oxymetres.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said China attempted to change the status quo along the LAC with its provocative military manoeuvres late last month and that there is a mismatch between what Beijing says and does. Making a statement on the situation in eastern Ladakh in Rajya Sabha, the minister said India wants a peaceful solution to the boundary issue, but will not shy away from any action required to defend the sovereignty of the country.
While the two sides were engaged in diplomatic and military dialogues, Singh said the "Chinese side again engaged in provocative military manoeuvres on the night of 29th and 30th August in an attempt to change the status quo in the South Bank area of Pangong Lake". "But yet again, timely and firm actions by our armed forces along the LAC prevented such attempts from succeeding," he said, adding that, "Unki kathani aur karni alag hai (their actions are at variance with their words".
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 9 am tomorrow.
In Rajya Sabha on Thursday Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that China does not recognise the traditional customary alignment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and that the recent conduct of PLA troops reflects a disregard of bilateral agreements between the two sides. Singh also said that India’s timely actions had foiled the attempts to change the status quo in Pangong Tso.
“I would like to assure Parliament that India will not step back from taking any harsh decision and that our forces are in a better position to retaliate,” Rajnath Singh said adding that China has built up war machines and troops near LAC.
During his address, Singh also said that China continues to illegally occupy a large area of Ladakh. “China continues to be in illegal occupation of approx 38,000 sq. kms in the Union Territory of Ladakh. In addition, under the so-called Sino-Pakistan ‘Boundary Agreement’ of 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. km. of Indian territory in PoK to China. China also claims approximately 90,000 sq. kms. of Indian territory in the Eastern Sector of the India-China boundary in Arunachal Pradesh. Chinese actions reflect a disregard of our various bilateral agreements,” Singh added.
Congress MP Anand Sharma says the country backs the Army. "We are all united in this." Anand Sharma asks if restoration of status quo will be non-negotiable.
Other MPs also express solidarity with the armed forces.
Rajnath Singh concludes his address. Chairperson M. Venklaiah Naidu says, "India's culture has always preached Vasudaiva Kutumbakam. We have never attacked any country. Some international media have written about religious conflicts. We are all united."
Naidu asks the Defence Minister to take suggestions from political leaders and to take them into confidence.
The Defence Minister further says, "The situation this year is very different both in terms of the scale of troops involved and number of friction points. We do remain committed to peaceful resolution of the current situation. At the same time, we remain prepared to deal with all contingencies."
"In the present situation, there are sensitive operational issues which I cannot detail. I hope the House will understand the sensitivity of the matter," Singh adds.
China, in last many decades, undertook significant infrastructure construction activity to enhance their deployment capabilities in the border areas. Our Govt too has stepped up the budget for border infrastructure development to about double the previous levels: Rajnath Singh
Rajnath Singh says India also ramped up our infrastructure after China upped its infrastructure along the border. He also said, "I would like to emphasise, that India remains committed to resolving the current issues in our border areas through peaceful dialogue and consultations."
Rajnath Singh further says, "Chinese actions reflect a disregard of our various bilateral agreements. The amassing of the troops by China goes against the 1993 & 1996 Agreements. Respecting and strictly observing Line of Actual Control is the basis for peace and tranquility in the border areas. While our armed forces abide scrupulously by it, this has not been reciprocated by the Chinese side."
Rajnath Singh says that it was the Chinese Army that provoked the Indian Army. "Conduct of our armed forces throughout these incidents shows that while they maintained 'Sayyam' in face of provocative actions, they also equally displayed 'Shaurya' when required to protect the territorial integrity of India."
Rajnath Singh says, "China continues to be in illegal occupation of approx 38,000 sq. kms in the Union Territory of Ladakh. In addition, under the so-called Sino-Pakistan 'Boundary Agreement' of 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. km. of Indian territory in PoK to China. China also claims approximately 90,000 sq. kms. of Indian territory in the Eastern Sector of the India-China boundary in Arunachal Pradesh."
Rajnath Singh begins his address on China in Rajya Sabha.
Rajnath Singh says, "On 15 June, Col Santosh Babu, along with his 19 brave soldiers, made the supreme sacrifice in Galwan Valley towards the cause of defending the territorial integrity of India. Our PM himself went to Ladakh to boost morale of forces."
India is making efforts just like other countries. Under PM's guidance, an expert group is looking at it and we have advanced planning in place. We are hopeful that by the start of next year, vaccine will be available in India: Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan in Rajya Sabha
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan says that Prime Minister Narendra Modi handled Covid-19 meticulously. 'History will remember Prime Minister Narendra Modi for meticulously monitoring the entire situation himself,' he adds.
Responding to Congress MP Anand Sharma's query, the health minister says that six scientific agencies gave scientific data on the basis of which it was said 14-29 lakh cases were prevented by the lockdown.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan responds to the discussion being held on Covid-19 pandemic in the Rajya Sabha in the last two days. He says, "From January 8, the Prime Minister, the Ministers and State health ministers have been addressing the situation. All Chief Ministers have fought this battle with the PM. All types of advisories and details were given before the first case of COVID-19 in the country on January 30. Extensive contact-tracing was undertaken for that case. For the first case, 162 contacts were traced. That is how we started our history of contact tracing."
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale says he gave the slogan of "go, corona go" in February in front of India Gate and woke up the country to the perils of the pandemic.
TMC MP Saugata Roy gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over "continued arrest/detention of political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir"
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has given adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over "frequent blasts and casualties at Baghjan oil field, Assam".
Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad says the government lost the golden months in addressing the coronavirus pandemic. "We should have been alert as it was in our neighborhood (China) that a mysterious pneumonia was being seen in December 2019. Rahul Gandhi had warned of a tsunami that was about to hit the country." Suggesting the govt on the handling of the pandemic, Azad says, "There should be dedicated infectious disease hospitals and fever clinics, instead of COVID-19 hospitals to reduce stigma. The term social distancing should be replaced with physical distancing."
Congress MP Manickam Tagore has given adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the agriculture policies in the country
Shiromani Akali Dal Party leader Balwinder Bhunder says, "We will protest against agriculture bills in both the houses of Parliament. We are an independent party, the alliance does not mean that we have to agree with whatever they (BJP) say. They have their own agenda, we have ours."
Hitting back at the diya-lighting/clapping criticism, BJP MP Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi says, "Many of our friends have a problem with the lighting of diyas and banging thaalis. They don't know the history. First of all, it was the start of a long fight. I would like to ask these people to think that was spinning charkha by Mahatma Gandhi led the Britishers to leave? It was a symbol chosen by Gandhiji."
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh says the government said the Opposition did not support PM Modi's "taali, thaali" initiative. "You bring such a foolish idea, and expect the country to be fooled? If one COVID-19 patient can be cured of it, we will all sit here and clap and light diyas, he adds.
NCP MP Praful Patel says there is no fixed direction of Covid-19. It started with the cities, and now it has spread across the country. "We have 1 lakh cases a day now and it is set to reach 2 lakh a day. Also, I read in newspapers that officials are saying that there is no shortage of oxygen cylinders and remdesivir drug, But the ground reality is different."
Also, wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday, top BJP leaders on Thursday said India's stature rose on the world stage under his leadership and his life dedicated to the welfare of nation is an inspiration for them.
In a series of tweets, BJP president JP Nadda wished Modi, saying that under his leadership India moved swiftly on the path of progress and raised its stature at the world stage. Modi's life is dedicated to nation building and he is an inspiration for all party workers, Nadda said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Home Minister Amit Shah hailed Modi as most popular leader of the country and said he connected deprived sections of the society with mainstream of development. Shah said Modi has dedicated his entire life for the welfare of the country and is laying down a foundation of strong and self-reliant India.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India has benefited tremendously from his astute leadership, firm conviction and decisive action. "He has been working assiduously towards empowering the poor and marginalised. Praying for his good health and long life," Singh said.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday on Thursday. The prime minister turned 70. "Wishing PM Narendra Modi ji a happy birthday," Gandhi said in a tweet. The former Congress chief is accompanying his mother Sonia Gandhi during her trip to the US for a routine medical check-up.
Terming three bills related to agriculture "anti-farmer", AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday demanded that the Centre withdraw them, saying his party will vote against the bills in Parliament. The AAP has three Rajya Sabha MPs and one LoK Sabha MP.
"The three bills related to farming and farmers brought in the Parliament are anti-farmer. Farmers all over the country are opposing them. The central government should withdraw these three bills. The AAP will vote against them in Parliament," he tweeted in Hindi.
The Centre had on Monday introduced The Farmers' Produce Trade And Commerce (Promotion And Facilitation) Bill, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, and 'The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill to replace the ordinances promulgated earlier.
Discussion on Covid-19 pandemic begins in Rajya Sabha. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut says he has personal experience with the danger of coronavirus as his elderly mother and brother are in the ICU, ailing from COVID-19. "My mother and my brother are infected with COVID. Many people in Maharashtra are recovering also. Today, the situation in Dharavi is under control. WHO has appreciated efforts of BMC. I want to state these facts as some members here were criticising Maharashtra govt yesterday."
"I want to ask the members how did so many people recover? Kya log bhabhi ji ke papad kha karke theek ho gaye? This isn't a political fight but a fight to save the lives of people," Raut said during a discussion on the Statement made by Health Minister on COVID19.
Raut also says that the Maharashtra government has followed the protocol of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The Centre has stopped funds for PPE kits, masks and other materials from September 1. It will cost Maharashtra government Rs50 crore a day. What is the PM CARES fund for if not for States?," he asks.
Proceedings begin in Rajya Sabha. YSRCP MP V. Vijaisai Reddy asks for special trains in Andhra Pradesh, says not a single train running from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam. "I request for the introduction of 'special trains' in Andhra Pradesh. Recently 80 trains were introduced but not a single train running between Hyd-Vizag, Hyd-Tirupati. Request Railway Minister to run special trains between these destinations."
Also, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal asks for a probe into Facebook's interference into India's electoral democracy and Congress MP Ripun Bora says NEET and JEE exams should be held again as many students could not attend due to COVID-19 pandemic.
BJP MP Satish Chand Dubey, on the other hand, raises the issue of floods in Bihar every year.
# Shiromani Akali Dal MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa has given Zero Hour notice in Rajya Sabha over the demand to declare Punjabi language 6th official language of Jammu and Kashmir.
# Bharatiya Janata Party MP Mahesh Poddar has given Zero Hour notice in Rajya Sabha over "cow smuggling in the country especially in the Eastern states."
# DMK MP T Siva has given short duration discussion notice in Rajya Sabha over "ramification of the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2020".
Amid screens and distancing measures in view of the pandemic, rivalry between political parties in the states played out in the chamber of Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
A heated exchange broke out between members of the Trinamool Congress and the BJP when Hooghly MP Locket Chatterjee alleged that under the Trinamool Congress government, West Bengal was turning out to be “like old Kashmir”. Chatterjee alleged that BJP workers were being targeted by the state government and “goons” of the ruling party.
“It is really a matter of sadness that the state of West Bengal is in danger and it is turning out to be like the old Kashmir,” she said, alleging that a “particular community” in Hooghly refused to go through testing for Covid-19 and this triggered a communal riot. “The riots went on for three days with bombing, looting and violence and even a temple was damaged,” Chatterjee said, adding that BJP leaders tried to visit the area but the administration did not allow them.
Opposition parties and ruling BJP on Wednesday crossed swords in Rajya Sabha as it began a discussion on the Covid-19pandemic.
The Opposition slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for announcing a nationwide lockdown in March with just four hours’ notice and accused the Centre of not financially supporting state governments and leaving migrant workers in the lurch. They emphasised the need to strengthen the federal structure of governance, and accused the Centre of taking unilateral decisions.
Hitting back, BJP’s Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and other top bureaucrats held discussions with chief ministers at least 15 times since the lockdown began (on March 25). “But no chief minister has said that the lockdown should not have been imposed.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make a statement in Rajya Sabha on Thursday on the military standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, and will take a couple of questions from Opposition MPs, it is learnt. The partial breakthrough came at a meeting convened by Singh on Wednesday with top Opposition leaders: Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Jairam Ramesh (all Congress), Derek O’Brien (TMC), Tiruchi Siva (DMK) and Ram Gopal Yadav (SP).
Opposition members had slammed the government on Tuesday after they were not allowed to ask questions following Singh’s statement in Lok Sabha.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the government is learnt to have agreed to the Opposition’s demand to hold discussions in the Upper House on issues such as payment of GST compensation to states, the National Education Policy and the slump in economic growth and joblessness. But the stalemate over passage of four Bills, including the three contentious farm-related ones that will replace ordinances, continued. Opposition parties remained firm on their position that these Bills require scrutiny by Parliamentary panels.
In Lok Sabha, which starts at 3 pm, Sitharaman will move The Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Bill, 2020. She will also lay on the table The Appropriation (No.4) Bill, 2020 to authorise payment and appropriation of certain further sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the financial year 2020-2021.
Other bills that will be laid on the table in the lower house today are –The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 by Narendra Singh Tomar.
Bills which will be considered for passing in the Upper House are — The Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Amendment) Bill, 2020 by Home Minister Amit Shah, The Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and The Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and The Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2020 by Shripad Yesso Naik.