Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda moved The Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2022, for consideration and passing.
Here are the updates:
Rajya Sabha adjourned.
The House will resume proceedings on March 30, 2022 at 11.00 a.m.
Arjun Munda moves The Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2022 for discussion.
Rajya Sabha passes The Appropriation Bill, 2022 and The Finance Bill, 2022.
The Bills were passed in the Upper House through a voice vote.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman talks about BSNL during her reply.
This government has actually supported BSNL and kept it vibrant, says the minister.
₹30,000 crores were provided for VRS for BSNL and MTNL employees, and administrative allotment of spectrum for rolling out 4G services worth ₹24,000 crores was also given. So quite a few core and non-core assets are being reviewed for monetisation: Ms. Sitharaman
Ukraine is a new factor, the unprecedented hike in fuel prices is also a challenge, says Nirmala Sitharaman.
As far as inflation is concerned, the WPI indices are the deflator which has been very high this year compared to the CPI. We are hopeful that the WPI will shrink and the deflator will be lower next year, the Finance Minister has added.
The government and private sector are partners in ushering development in this economy, says the Finance Minister
The pandemic affected the private sector adversely. There is no “us versus them” here, says Ms. Sitharaman.
Many steps have been taken over the last three Budgets to improve the lives of the middle class, says Nirmala Sitharaman
The Finance Minister has also answered queries on health and education cess, manual scavenging, and so on.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responds to questions related to healthcare infrastructure in light of the Covid-19 pandemic
Each Budget since 2020 has been focused on building healthcare infrastructure, the MP says.
Ms. Sitharaman has added that for issues relating to health emergency response systems and infrastructure specifically, the allocations have been substantial.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman replies after discussions on the Appropriation and Finance Bills
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed that the Budget will not rely on resources by taxing people, Ms. Sitharaman says.
The OECD report clearly shows about 32 countries increased various tax rates during the pandemic, she adds. “We did not, in spite of the speculation that was going on. So no tax was increased for funding the recovery process.”
Seize the passports of industrialists who have taken loans over ₹50 crore, says Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh
The MP has recalled how industrialists like Vijay Mallya and Mehul Choksi were able to flee. He has alleged that the government is hand in glove with industrialists who escape the country to avoid repayment of loans.
This government’s name should be etched in record books in golden letters for the fuel price rise, says Trinamool Congress MP Nadimul Haque.
The MP raises issues of inflation and fuel price rise. He has listed the change in prices of everyday groceries like cooking oil, pulses and grains to substantiate his point.
Cannot compare hijab to saffron clothes worn by Hindu monks, says BJP MP Arun Singh
The MP brags about BJP winning multiple state elections before bringing up the hijab issue.
This is a government that does something : BJP MP KJ Alphons
BJP MP KJ Alphons refused to yield the floor as he spoke about what the budget offered poor people and launched into an impassioned defence of the BJP government. “You shout fake socialism slogans, this is a government that does something,” he said. Tumultuous discussion continues.
Proceedings resume, Appropriation Bill discussion under way
The Rajya Sabha proceedings resumed at 2 pm with Sukhendu Sekhar Ray presiding
House adjourned till 2 pm
The way we have handled COVID, other countries are watching: Health Minister
In response to a question about development of health facilities in the country, the Health Minister that other countries are looking to India as a leader in health after its expert handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and praised Modi’s leadership.
Center and State work together in the health sector: Health Minister
In response to a question about states receiving more power to deal with disease outbreaks, Health Minister Mansukh L. Mandaviya indicated that even though Health was a state subject, there was no separation between the Center and the states while tackling issues in the health sector, and that they work together.
Dr. Santanu Sen, MP from West Bengal, had asked this question about why states are not given more power to deal with outbreaks, in keeping with corporate federalism.
MP Derek O’ Brien asked questions about making medical cards in the names of the women of the house, and the medical bills of ex-servicemen and elderly journalist get stuck. To this, the minister indicated that they were always ready to provide services to those with CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) cards.
Questions about prevention programmes for chikungunya and dengue were also asked.
Questions raised about new AIIMS
MP Tiruchi Siva asked about the progress on the new AIIMS proposed in Tamil Nadu. Minister of State Dr Bharati Pawar said that the site has been earmarked in Madurai and that MBBS classes will start this academic session
Questions were also asked about the new AIIMS in Darbhanga and the functioning of other AIIMS.
Zero Hour concludes; Question Hour commences
Chairman Naidu noted that all Zero Hour issues were successfully concluded with the cooperation of the members. Question Hour commences with Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh.
Release caste census data or amend constitution: P Wilson, DMK
P Wilson, DMK MP, raised an issue about OBC reservations in local bodies, indicating that there was a constitutional deadlock on the same. He requested that Prime Minister Modi intervene and break the constitutional deadlock, by either releasing caste census data or by amending Article 243(D)(6) and 243(T)(6) which mandates reservation for OBC in local bodies.
He also pointed out that a proposed socio-economic caste census had as yet not been carried out.
Zero hour underway: some key issues
MP Abir Ranjan Biwas raised issue of the leak of sensitive data of CISF personnel, pointing out that it is a national security issue. MP K Vanlalvena from Mizoram raised the issue of extending waterways in Mizoram for the benefit of the tribal people. Light moment as Naidu asks if he is speaking in Mizo.
V. Vijaysai Reddy spoke about the hike in prices of fertilizers which is affecting farmers. He pointed out that the ongoing Ukraine conflict is affecting the supply chain as well.
After taking a moment to celebrate the 40th formation day of the Telugu Desam Party, MP Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar raised problems of sale of illicit liquor.
Abdul Wahab, MP from Kerala, spoke about requiring additional passenger ships to Lakshadweep. Light moment as Naidu asked if those associating want to do it to go to Lakshadweep, and said they would get no special fare as MPs.
Tiruchi Siva, MP from DMK, Tamil Nadu raised issue about rising cases of child abuse registered under POCSO. He pointed out that awareness of the Act is low and redressal mechanisms are not available in schools.
Naidu indicates strike to be discussed later
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu allows members to outline topics raised under 267 notices and indicates that a labour and employment discussion will take place later, after the Finance Bill and Appropriation Bill discussion.
Rajya Sabha proceedings commence
List of Business
1. Bills for consideration and return
- The Appropriation Bill, 2022.
- The Finance Bill, 2022.
2. Arjun Munda to move The Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2022, for consideration and passing.
3. Papers and Reports to be laid on the Table
4. Question Hour
Day 10 recap
After Chairman Venkaiah Naidu refused 267 notices given by various members to suspend the business of the day to debate fuel price hike and call for labour union strike, the Upper House was adjourned for a short while before resuming for Question Hour.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved the Finance Bill, 2022.
