Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned sine die after Monday’s proceedings, four days ahead of schedule.
The Rajya Sabha bid farewell to outgoing Upper House Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu on the 16th day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Monday. The Lok Sabha, on the other hand, passed the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2022, and adopted a motion to introduce the Electricity (Amendment Bill), 2022, in the Lower House amid Opposition protests and demands for division of votes.
The Rajya Sabha passed the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2022 on Monday. The Bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha.
On Friday, the 15th day of the Monsoon Session, the day was once again hit by continued protests in both Houses with Opposition MPs raising slogans over various issues, including price rise, GST, and alleged misuse of central agencies like Enforcement Directorate and CBI.
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Lok Sabha adjourns sine die, four days ahead of schedule
Speaker Om Birla recaps the session in the concluding address, informing the House that the members worked for a total of approximately 44 hours and 29 minutes across 16 meetings in the monsoon session.
All vacant spots in the House have now been filled, the Speaker adds.
Lok Sabha passes New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2022
The Bill was passed through a voice vote.
Rajya Sabha adjourns sine die
Rajya Sabha adjourns sine die, four days ahead of schedule. Chairman Venkaiah Naidu says the House had 16 sittings during which business was conducted for 38 hours. "However, more than 48 hours were lost due to interruptions which is a sad reflection of the functioning of the Upper House of Parliament," he says.
"Only five government Bills were considered and passed during the session. 27 private member's Bills were also introduced and only one Bill, regarding Right to Health, could be partly discussed during the entire session," he further says. He concludes by thanking members of the House for their wishes on the completion of his tenure as Rajya Sabha Chairman.
Law Minister Kiren Rijiju replies after a brief discussion on the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2022
A small step can be a giant leap at times, says Mr. Rijiju.
Passing this Bill in Parliament makes the Arbitration Centre an institute of national importance, the minister says. He points that attaching the name of the city with the centre might confuse people about its relevance.
Rajya Sabha passes Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2022
The Upper House passes The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2022. Chairman Venkaiah Naidu now takes up Special Mentions.
This Bill, which asks only for a name change, is a colossal waste of time for Parliament: MP Supriya Sule
There is really nothing else in this Bill. This is appalling, says the MP.
She also questions Kiren Rijiju that since intellectual lawyers and high-net individuals are leaving India, why is the government not focusing on tackling that instead of changing names. “Why don’t you introspect instead of bringing a law of just changing names, to improve and strengthen the system?”
BSP MP Kunwar Danish Ali raises questions on the current judicial infrastructure in India, invokes the case of journalist Mohammed Zubair’s arrest
“Rich lawyers sit in London and join proceedings via video conferencing, but it is very difficult for a poor person to secure justice in the current times. Farmers, poor people, and journalists like Mohammed Zubair who are trying to save our democracy – they cannot hire rich lawyers. The Law Minister should focus on arbitration within the judicial system of the country,” Mr. Ali says.
Railway Minister replies to debate on Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2022
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw replies to the debate on the bill. He says that the university will not just be for the people of the state of Gujarat and cites clause 6 clearly states that the university will extend to the whole of India. He says when it is clearly mentioned that the scope will be the whole country where does the question of only for Gujarat comes.
He says the university has been developed considering the various sectors of transportation such as railways, marine and metro etc. The bill also intends to use the existing infrastructure and will also include facilities for hostels, he says. The university has been envisioned after considering all these aspects, he adds.
Responding to questions about being a multidisciplinary university, the Minister says that railway, metro and transportation are very complex sectors and that a graduate takes five to six years to understand about the railway and metro sectors to expect any productivity. He says the university will train students across various sectors of transportation and that would increase the producitivity.
Further, the minister says that sustainability and urban planning are integral parts of the bills. He also clarifies that the university will be a public-funded university and there is no question about it. He also notes that the Ministry of Railways has already allocated Rs 166 crore for the university in the budget.
To questions about existing employee, Mr. Vaishnaw says that there would "absolutely be no disruption" and there would be "seemless continuity". He also assures there will be continuity for the employees.
"Indian railways has started recruiting and training of women pilots and the results have been very good. This is a very good example of women's empowernment in a very difficuly and complex sector," the Minister notes about women participation in transport and logistics sector.
"This university will definitely have global standards of education," he says. He assures that the university will tie up with many other global universities. "The students who come out of this university not only serve the transportation sector of India but also they should be capable and be prepared for serving the transporation sector all over the world and they should become the biggest brain power," he says.
There is neither any objection nor support to this Bill since it is superfluous legislation: MP Saugata Roy
“This government does not know its mind. In 2019, R.S. Prasad, who was the Law Minister, converted the name of the International Centre of Alternative Dispute Resolution to New Delhi International Arbitration Centre in Delhi. Now, Kiren Rijiju, who is the currently Law Minister, wants to leave his stamp on the ministry. So, he has moved this Bill.”
Mr. Ray also points out that all international businesses, including those of Indian industrialists Ambanis and Adanis, go to Singapore for arbitration. “Why has the government not made any progress to make New Delhi a major centre for arbitration?” he asks.
TDP MP urges for establishment of regional centre of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya in Andhra Pradesh
Stating from the bill that regional centres of the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya will be established across various states, TDP MP Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar urges for one regional centre in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
He urges the Centre to take immediate steps to fill vacancies in institues of higher education.
Lok Sabha takes up New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2022
The Bill calls for renaming the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre as the India International Arbitration Centre.
Bill laudable but effort 'half-hearted', says NCP's Vandana Chavan
NCP member Vandana Chavan notes that the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2022, has not confined itself to railways but also includes ambit roadways, railways, aviation and marine sectors. She also expresses her support for the bill but points to three issues.
First, clause 5 of the bill should have been more comprehensive and included environmental and ecological sustainability factors, she says. Further, she also refers to various global agreements that agree on transport sector being an important factor in environmental degradation as it impacts air quality and health of the people. "Transportation has always been referred to as 'Sustainable Transportation' and it needs to be added in the bill," she says.
Referring to rapid urbanisation, she says 40% of the country's population will live in cities and urban spaces by 2030, and so urban transport planners with indigenous knowledge of sustainable transport are needed but the bill doesn't mention any of this. While lauding the government for the bill, she says the bill should have been more comprehensive. "Congratulations to the Ministry for having done this, but it is absolutely a half-hearted initiative," she says.
Lok Sabha passes the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022
The Bill has been passed through a voice vote
BJD's Sujeet Kumar bats for setting up of central university in Odisha, filling up vacancies
BJP MP Sujeet Kumar says that there is a need for quality manpower and management in transportation sector and The Central Universities(Amendment) Bill, 2022, is the need of the hour. However, he says he would refer to larger issues in the education sector in light of this bill.
He says no standardised protocol or criteria to set up central universities in India. He urges Centre to consider setting up a central university in Odisha. He also refers to large number of vacancies in central universities which is close to 35%. He highlights that the Union Education Minister has already taken note of the issue of vacancy but urges the government to act soon about it.
DMK MP asks Centre to consider renaming of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya
KRN Rajesh Kumar of the DMK says that he supports the bill but expresses disappointment with the name of the University and the NDA's intention to name it. All states are comfortable with English as a common communication language so why name an university in Hindi, he asks. "Non-Hindi speaking states also part of India and they are also paying taxes," he says.
He also refers to the establishment of the Indian Maritime University, another central university, in 2008 by the then UPA government. He says that the name of the university is Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and could be understood only by few people.
Further, he cites the university's website and says it is already in partnership with foreign universities but it will be difficult for other to recognise with the name in Hindi
"We are not against the Hindi language but against Hindi imposition," he says. In conclusion, he asks the Centre to rename the university as Indian Railway Transport University.
"In order to promote the university worldwide and respect the sentiment of tax paying non-Hindi speaking citizen of India it is necessary to change the name of university as Indian Railway Transport University," he says.
We have had the fastest rate of growth of renewable energy capacity in the world: R.K. Singh, Minister of Power
“India has emerged as the most attractive destination for investment in renewable energy and the whole world is saying it,” the minister says.
In his reply to the House after a discussion on the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, the minister praises the government’s efforts in India’s renewable energy sector and for electrifying villages of the country.
The government connected every village (to the electricity grid) in just about 987 days when the target given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to complete the task was 1,000 days, the minister informs the House.
“In one stroke, we connected every village, every home. We converted our country from power deficit to power surplus.
We had promised that by 2022, we will establish 175 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity. People are saying we have missed it, but we have not missed it. We are not only on target, but we are also ahead of target. We would have been much ahead of the target if the Covid-19 pandemic hadn’t intervened.”
Parliament prerogative to know what the carbon credit scheme is: RSP MP NK Premachandran
NK Premachandran, RSP MP from Kerala said he was confused about whether to support or oppose the bill, since it was ambiguous and unclear. The legislative intent has not been manifested in the bill, he said.
He said he had great apprehension about carbon trading. He pointed out that this was not defined in the Bill. Where is the carbon trading scheme explained, he asked. The Parliament has the right to know what this carbon credit scheme is, he said. “You are putting the Parliament in darkness with ulterior motives,” he asserted.
Mr. Premachandran put forth the suggestion that it was important to distinguish between trade in the country and between countries. He also said that India should use UN forums to argue for carbon reduction since the world requires an actual reduction of carbon emissions.
He concluded by saying that he supported the other provisions of the draft with strong reservations about the clauses involving carbon trading.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi also agreed with the concerns raised about carbon trading and suggested that a hard cap be imposed on greenhouse emissions. Not just climate change, but air pollution is also a part of carbon emissions, he pointed out. He asked that a strict penalty be brought in, which is presently absent in the legislation draft.
He concluded by asking the government to research renewable energy and allow Uttar Purvanchal to be a part of green schemes as well.
Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Shinde said that we should adopt a hybrid model and install solar plants near water bodies. We should bring in international best practices, he said, using Japan and Brazil case studies to support his point.
The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2022 taken up in Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha has taken up the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2022. Discussion on the Bill is underway. The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2022, seeks to establish the Gati Shakti Vishwavidaylaya, as a Central university, changing the form of the National Rail and Transportation University which is currently a deemed to be institution in Vadodara. The Bill also seeks to expand the scope of the deemed university from beyond the railways to cover the entire transport sector to support the ambitious growth and modernisation in the field as announced in the Union Budget this year..
Provide incentives to save forest cover in J&K, Lower Himalayas: MP Hasnain Masoodi
Hasnain Masoodi, J&KNC MP representing Anantnag, pointed out that the Energy Conservation Amendment Bill visualises an extension of the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle.
But we cannot give industry a free hand just because they pay for emissions, he asserted, saying that it needs to work hand in hand with a regulatory framework.
We must place an extra focus on renewable energy, he added, noting that in the absence of this, the object of the bill may not be achieved.
He also said that it was necessary to encourage the use of solar energy in the Lower Himalayas and especially Jammu and Kashmir since we are cutting down forests. Forests act as carbon sinks, he pointed out.
He asked the government to provide incentives in Jammu and Kashmir and the Lower Himalayas, so that the forest cover is saved, carbon emissions are reduced, and they do not play a role in climate change.
Venkaiah Naidu thanks MPs in emotional farewell speech
In an emotional farewell speech, Venkaiah Naidu spoke on the responsibility of the Upper House to uphold the ideals of democracy. “India is on the move. The Members of Rajya Sabha must maintain decency, dignity and decorum so that the image and respect of the House are maintained so that people are receptive to hear, follow us,” the outgoing Chairman says. “Ensure democratic principles are followed, he tells the MPs. “We are not enemies. We are rivals,” he concludes.
On his term as the Vice-President, Mr. Naidu says he was in tears the day the PM informed him. “I was in tears. Tears were because I had to leave the party. The party had given the mandate, I obliged and resigned from the party,” Mr. Naidu says.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh’s farewell to Venkaiah Naidu
Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh is according a farewell to Chairman Venkaiah Naidu. Calling him an inspiration, the Deputy Chairman says Mr. Naidu’s life and the political journey will be an inspiration for all. “It was a privilege to work with you. Your discipline, your dedication and your patriotic spirit has been inspiring.”
Use MIDC-like model for solar energy projects: NCP MP Supriya Sule
Supriya Sule, NCP MP from Baramati, sought clarifications from the Energy Minister about reports that India has dropped its target of 500 Gigawatts of renewable energy committed at the COP26.
She also asked what the government’s position on biomass is since it has not shown the results of ethanol.
Further, she raised the issue of land for solar energy projects and asked why the Government of India work with states to acquire land for solar projects, using an MIDC-like model.
She questioned what the government has done to deal with energy losses during the transmission of renewable energy. Have you consulted the industry about carbon trading, she also asked.
Venkaiah Naidu has left a distinctive mark on Indian politics: Congress’s Jairam Ramesh
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh congratulates Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu for completing his term. In his farewell speech, Mr. Ramesh takes a leaf out of the Chairman’s book and quips, “After five years of cooperation and operation, it has become a time of separation.”
He tells the outgoing Chairman, “You have been very fair. You have not allowed your political background to influence any decisions in the Upper House. Even treasury benches were baffled at some of your decisions. You treated all of us equally…in a spirit of wit and humour. ”The Congress MP adds, “You [Mr. Naidu] will be remembered long after the great men have been forgotten. Because you are a great man, large-hearted man.”
PSUs invested 11 times more in fossil fuel than in renewable energy projects: Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress MP from Baharampur, rose to speak in favour of the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
Mr. Chowdhury said that the government has failed to increase the production capacity of solar panels, while cheaper panels from China are flooding the market. More than 30 indigenous firms should have existed by now, he said.
7 PSUs invested 11 times more in fossil fuel projects than in clean energy, he said, adding that annual disbursement to fossil fuel projects was three times more than that to renewable energy
He also expressed concern that the bill will bring large residential buildings under its ambit and asked how the common man would cope with compliance and penalties.
Further, we need greater clarity about carbon credits and the framework for the same in the bill, he said.
The Bill proposes to provide carbon certificates through the government, but it does not provide for determining the quality of the commodities produced, he said. He also spoke about how experts have pointed out that carbon trading is dangerous and has failed. He has expressed concern about carbon markets, and how corruption may have affected these markets.
Read more about the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 here.
Like a school headmaster..: NCP MP Vandana Chavan on Chairman Naidu
NCP MP Vandana Chavan thanked Chairman Venkaiah Naidu for his service, saying he was the most strict and most loved in the Upper House. “Today’s farewell is different for the person and personality you are. You have been a strict disciplinarian. You reminded us of a school headmaster. But the most strict teacher is also loved the most. Similarly, you are the most loved till now. You have been extremely passionate. Encouraging members to speak in their mother tongue, and attend committees. You have been like an elder brother to all women Parliamentarians,” the NCP leader said as she concluded her speech.
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha’s poetic tribute
In his farewell speech, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha read out a few lines from a poem ‘Vida’ by poet Ashok Vajpeyi for outgoing Chairman Venkaiah Naidu.
“ Tum chale jaoge par thoda sa yahaan bhee rah jaoge
jaise rah jaatee hai pahalee baarish ke baad hava mein dharatee kee sondhee see gandh
bhor ke ujaas mein thoda-sa chandrama
khandahar ho rahe mandir mein anasunee praacheen noopuron kee jhankaar tum chale jaoge par thodee see hansee aankhon kee thodee see chamak
haath kee banee thodee see kophee yaheen rah jaenge prem ke is sunasaan mein…”
Lok Sabha resumes proceedings
The Lok Sabha resumes proceedings at 2:15 p.m, with Rajendra Agarwal presiding.
The Chair has announced that the House will table matters Rule 377 and asked members who have been permitted to raise these to inform the Chair within 20 minutes.
The House has now taken up the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 for consideration and passing.
MP Jose K Mani calls Chairman an inclusive, inspiring leader
KC(M) MP Jose K Mani expresses his gratitude to the outgoing Chairman for his “inclusive and inspiring leadership”. “There were several instances of heated exchanges which were masterfully defused by your unbiased approach, light humour, simultaneously ensuring the gravity of the issue of hand was not compromised. Thank you for acting as a bridge between the South and the national capital. Your presence ensured that the southern States were not ignored,” the MP says.
Proceedings resume in Rajya Sabha
Post-lunch session is underway in the Upper House. Members of the House are bidding a farewell to outgoing Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. He demits office on Wednesday, with his successor Jagdeep Dhankhar set to take the oath of office on August 11.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2.05 p.m.
Rajya Sabha proceedings have been adjourned for a lunch break and will resume for more speeches to bid farewell to outgoing Chairperson M. Venkaiah Naidu, at 2.05 p.m.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 2.15 p.m.
Proceedings in the Lower House adjorned till 2 1.15 p.m. as the Lok Sabha breaks for lunch.
Giriraj Singh calls for President’s rule in Jharkhand
Accusing the Congress party and JMM government of helping “islamasitation of crime in Jharkhand”, BJP MP Giriraj Singh calls for President’s rule in the State. Referring to web-series Jamtara, the Union Minister says, “even the show shows how criminal activities are on the rise in the State.” The BJP MP also asks Centre to open NIA offices in the State.
You are leaving us, what will we now do here: Ramdas Athawale to Venkaiah Naidu
RPI(ATWL) chief Ramdas Athawale starts his speech to bid farewell to Rajya Sabha Chairperson M. Venkaiah Naidu with some pun lines in Hindi in his usual style. “You are leaving us, what will we now do here,” the BJP MP asks.
Sabhapati Mahoday, aao hume chor kar jaa rahein hain, phir hum yahan kya karenege
Aapne hume itna vishwaas dilaya hai ki hum kisi ko nahi darenge or 2024 ka chunaav Narendra Modi ji nahi haarenge
Aapne mujhe mauka diya har baar, isliye mai karta raha Congress par waar
Aap kabhi nahi maan ne waale hain haar, isliye aap aaiye phir ek baar
Jo aate the baar baar well, aapne unko suspend karke unka band kar diya tha khel
Congress waale toh aapke saamne ho gaye hain fail, isliye ab vo nahi aayenge well
“I only want to say that you had a good style to run the House by keeping everyone together. You used to adjourn the House very quickly over any mischief. You used to give me time to speak and then keep ringing the bell when I used to go overtime. You might be going but we will not leave you. We will keep calling you back,” he says.
On my first day as MP, you (Venkaiah Naidu) called me to your house for guidance: CPI’s Binoy Viswam
CPI MP from Kerala Binoy Viswam says he remembers his first day as an MP in this House when Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu called him to his residence. I thought I will get 3-4 minutes to talk to you but you gave me 30-40 minutes and discussed a number of topics.
I also remember when you asked me why the communists in the country were divided and advocated for the unity of communist parties. My party stands for the unity of communists.
Sharad Pawar and you share a special bond: NCP’s Praful Patel to Venkaiah Naidu
NCP member Praful Patel says his leader Sharad Pawar and Chairperson M. Venkaiah Naidu share a special
“You have drawn a ‘lakshman rekha’ of decorum in the House and we all have adhered to it,” Praful Patel of NCP tells Venkaiah Naidu. “We wish you all the best. You have make many more contributions to this country. So, you go from here and start your work elsewhere but we have one request that you stay healthy and work wherever you go but never bid farewell to us.”
Proud to see a Telugu person in the Chair: YSRCP’s V. Vijaysai Reddy
YSRCP MP V. Vijaysai Reddy says Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu and I hail from the same district and it has been a proud moment to see a Telugu person as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. He also thanks Mr. Naidu for giving him the opportunity to run the House.
Motion to introduce the Electricity (Amendment Bill), 2022, adopted in LS; Zero Hour commences
Even as Opposition members continue to demand division of votes on adopting the resolution to introduce the Electricity (Amendment Bill), 2022, in the Lower House, the Chair declares the commencement of the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha.
I have only known you for three years, but feels like a life time: BJD’s Sasmit Patra to the outgoing Vice-President
BJD MP Dr. Sasmit Patra thanks Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu for encouraging him to speak in the House in his mother tongue Odia. He mentions of a complimentary note that he received from Mr. Naidu after he first time spoke in Odia.
He says, “you appointed me to the Panel of the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha and when I asked you if I was capable of running the House being a 13-month old MP, you said “I believe in you, I stand by you.” On behalf of my party, I thank you for your service and guidance.”
I got the most amount of love from you: AAP’s Sanjay Singh to Venkaiah Naidu
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh says he might be the member who was scolded the most by Chairperson M. Venkaiah Naidu inside the House but he is also the member who received the most amount of love and guidance from him.
He says nothing about the disagreements was personal. "I hope you keep inviting us for food. On behalf of the Aam Aadmi Party, I thank you for your service and wish you a healthy life ahead. Please, keep coming to Delhi," the AAP MP says.
Discussion on introduction of the Electricity (Amendment Bill), 2022, in Lower House underway
Congress, CPI(M) leaders including Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury oppose the Bill introduced in the House. “The Bill clearly gives more power to the Central government and the State governments will be weakened,” the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha says. As Rajendra Agrawal, who is in the Chair, does not allow Mr. Chowdhury to complete, Opposition members start to proest. Responding to Mr. Chowdhury, Power Minister Raj Kumar Singh says the Opposition members are “creating ruckus for no reason”. Om Birla returns to the Chair. “There is a provision for the Bill to go to a Standing Commitee, so there is no need for the Opposition members to protest,” the Power Minister says.
LoP Chowdhury says the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, who the government had made promises to, has rejected the Bill. Chhattisgarh and Punjab governments have already rejected the Bill, he says, asking, “then what is the need to introduce this Bill at all”?
The Bill is pro-people, pro-farmers, the Power Minister asserts amidst Opposition protests. As Om Birla allows the Power Minister to introduce the Bill after a voice vote, sloganeerings begin in the Lower House. “We want division,” the Opposition members relentlessly demand.
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva thanks VP for allowing discussions in regional languages
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva thanks him for making arrangements for speakers to be able to speak in the regional languages. He says you have always advocated for the regional languages. He says Mr. Naidu upheld the dignity of the members as he always listened to even the smallest of their concerns. "I will not forget your contribution to this House."
“I also request you to write your auto-biography,” he says, adding, “at last, I will only say one word that we will miss you, sir”.
Chairperson in tears as Derek O Brien mentions his mother’s loss
Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu bursts into tears as Trinamool Congress member Derek O Brien begins his speech by mentioning Mr. Naidu’s mother who passed away when he was one year old.
Will there be a cultural mapping of the country, asks BJP MP Manoj Tiwari
BJP MP asks if like the geographical mapping, there will be a cultural mapping of the country to provide better and direct benefits to the artists. “Is something being done about it,” he asks, saying that even though the government is providing benefits to artists, is there a definition of artists, he asks. MoS Culture responds saying this will be taken as a suggestion the Cultural Ministry will work on it.
LoP Kharge congratulates the outgoing Chairman
After Prime Minister Modi, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Mallikarjun Kharge congratulates outgoing Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge praises Mr. Naidu for his long and vast political career from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka to the Centre.
He thanks Mr. Naidu for allowing and helping to pass the amendment to the Article 371(J) to make special provisions for the Hyderabad-Karnataka Region. He says he might have a few complaints with him due to differing ideologies “but this is not the time to complain because you have performed your responsibility under various difficulties and pressure”. “I thank you for that,” the LoP says.
Mr. Kharge uses a shayari to describe and thank Mr. Naidu. “ Talaash karu to koi mil jaega; Lekin aapke jaisa kaun hume milega?; Aapke saath se yeh manzar raunak jaisa hai; aapke baad mausam bahut sataega,” the LoP says. “Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Bajpayee had said about you that it was a pleasure to be a member of the Parliament that you were as part of, and he was absolutely correct,” Mr. Kharge adds
He says, “we hope that neither will you retire from public life nor will you get tired and continue to work for the nation.”
PM Modi thanks Venkaiah Naidu as House bids farewell to the outgoing Chairman
After adopting the motion for election of the Committee of Public Accounts adopted, the Rajya Sabha gives farewell to Chairman Venkaiah Naidu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the country will continue to benefit from the experience of Mr. Naidu in public life. PM Modi says this is an emotional moment for the House as the Rajya Sabha has seen many historic events in your presence. “You often say ‘I have retired from politics but not from public life’ which is why the country will keep benefitting from your vast experience,” he says. He says you are one such Vice-President of the country who has always worked for the youth. “Even in the Rajya Sabha you have encouraged young MPs,” the PM says.
“As an individual, it has been my pleasure to have seen you in various roles of public life.” The Prime Minister says he has gotten the opportunity to work with Mr. Naidu and learn from him at various stages ranging from an MLA, a Minister to the BJP president and finally as the Vice-President and the Chairperson of the Rajya Sbaha. PM Modi mentions the books by Mr. Naidu such as ‘Listening, Learning, Leading’, ‘Connecting, Communicating, Changing’ and ‘Reflecting, Recollecting, Reconnecting’ and says the titles of the books reflect your word mastery for which you are known.
"Your one-liners are recliners and also win-liners because nothing else is left to say after them. You each word is heard, preferred, and revered and never countered." Mr. Naidu smiles sitting in the Chair as the PM goes on to praise him.
“Venkaiah ji, you started your career with student politics at a time when people used to say your party has no chance in the southern States in the near future.” But you reached the highest levels of public life with your dedication and hard work, he says.
PM Modi praises Mr. Naidu for promoting all languages in the House and making arrangements for members to speak in all 22 scheduled Indian languages. The Prime Minister says because of your discipline and way of conducting the House, the productivity of the Rajya Sabha increased by 70% during your tenure and the attendance of the members also saw a significant improvement. “To increase the efficiency of the Secretariat, you took a number of measures, including use of information technology and e-office system to promote paperless work,” Mr. Modi says.
Earlier it used to be a norm that in case of an uproar, the House should be adjourned but you ran the House with the motto of ‘Samvaad, sampark, and samanvay’ and increased the productivity of the House. Mr. Naidu would often say “Let the government propose, let the Opposition oppose and let the House dispose”, the PM says.
PM Modi says despite all our agreements and disagreements, all the members are present in the House today to bid you farewell. The Rajya Sabha will follow the precedents set by you. “I thank you for all you have done for this House, the Parliament and the country.”
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asks on steps taken for scholorship for children of bidi workers
Labour & Employment Minister Bhupender Yadav, responding to Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who had asked about the steps taken for scholorship of children of bidi workers and about the number of new hospitals for them, says enough steps are being taken and scholorship for their children is already in place.
Proceedings begin in Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin on day 16 of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament. Papers are now being laid on the table.
Lok Sabha begins with remembering freedom fighters, congratulating CWG medalists
As the House assembles on Monday, Speaker Om Birla, saying that since the country is celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, it is an approopriate time for the House to remember those who gave their lives for the freedom of the country. After observing silence in their memory, the Speaker congratulates all the medal winners at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and wishes luck for the upcoming matches. Now, Question Hour is underway in the Lower House.
Monsoon Session Day 15: the 14th Vice President election, and more | Parliament Watch podcast
In this episode, we give you an overview of the fifteenth day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, that took place on August 5, with a gist of key events that took place during the session. We discuss the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which was moved for consideration. In addition, we also cover the private members’ bills, including the compulsory voting bill, 2019 and a bill to provide compulsory sensitivity training to students and teachers with regard to subjects involving inclusion.
We also discuss the Right to Health Bill, introduced in the Rajya Sabha, in addition to discussing important written replies. We also discuss the election of Jagdeep Dhankhar as the 14th vice president of the country, which took place on Saturday, August 6. In addition to this, we also discuss the other important events of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
Jairam Ramesh contests Venkaiah Naidu’s ‘no immunity from arrests for MPs when House is in progress’ remarks
“Issuing of summons by ED or any law-enforcing agencies to any MP, much less the LoP (Mallikarjun Kharge), when the Parliament is in session, is an outright affront to the sacred institution of Parliament and Parliamentarians,” Congress chief whip in Rajya Sabha Jairam Ramesh said.
