Delhi gang-rape case rocks Parliament

Dec 19, 2012 15:43 (IST)

The Lok Sabha witnessed some drama when V Narayanasamy, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), got up for consideration and passage of bill on quota. The Samajwadi Party leaders suddenly snatched the papers from him from behind. Congress president Sonia Gandhi tried to take the papers back, but could not do it. The House was adjourned till Thursday.

Dec 19, 2012 13:03 (IST)

Ram Jehmalani speaks in Rajya Sabha on the Delhi gang-rape case:

The maximum punishment that can be given is life imprisonment
Till the girl dies or any other charges are posed till then you cannot hang him
Maximum punishment is life imprisonment
It can be changed for the future
I am against it
They threw this girl out of the bus but in case they would know that if capital punishment is the consequence then these people will kill the girl thinking that one witness will be lessened
Life imprisonment is more serious then sentence of death
But in case of life imprisonment, you will rot in Indian jail for the rest of your life

Dec 19, 2012 12:32 (IST)

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm after uproar over quota in promotions and incidents of rape.

Dec 19, 2012 12:22 (IST)

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde speaks in the Rajya Sabha on the Delhi gang-rape incident:

There were curtains and the bus was moving normally. That is why did not come to PCR's attention
All vehicles with tinted glasses and curtains impounded immediately
All off duty buses parked with owner and not drivers
All buses in Delhi to keep their lights on inside
The Delhi Police will undertake the verification of all drivers, staff of buses
Driver's licence with photo will be displayed with all public vehicles alongwith helpline numbers
GPS enabled PCR vans to be augmented

Dec 19, 2012 12:15 (IST)

Promotions in quota bill tabled in Lok Sabha amid uproar.

Dec 19, 2012 11:40 (IST)

Lok Sabha has been adjourned till noon following uproar over quota in promotions and other issues.

Dec 19, 2012 11:40 (IST)

Let Sonia Gandhi act, not demand action: BJP's Sushma Swaraj on gang-rape case
Leader of the BJP protested outside Parliament this morning demanding better safety for women in the capital. Yesterday, leaders from different parties took on the government in both Houses of Parliament over the grotesquerie on Sunday night in which a medical student was gang-raped and then beaten with an iron rod in a bus in South Delhi for nearly an hour.

Dec 18, 2012 20:00 (IST)

Lok Sabha passes Banking Bill, clears way for new banking licenses
The Bill was passed after the govt agreed to drop a contentious clause which allows banks to enter commodity futures trading.

Dec 18, 2012 19:16 (IST)

Delhi gang-rape: what Mayawati, Kamal Nath said in Parliament
The horrific rape of a young medical student in a bus in South Delhi on Sunday night was raised by angry parliamentarians today in both houses.

Dec 18, 2012 19:09 (IST)

Delhi gang-rape: Jaya Bachchan breaks down
An emotional Mrs Bachchan asked the government if it had apologized to the victim's family or the country. When asked to conclude her speech, an upset Jaya said, "I will not speak but will protest outside the house."

Dec 18, 2012 19:05 (IST)

Under attack over gang-rape case, Home Minister shares plans to protect women
Amid national anger over the gang-rape of a medical student in Delhi in a moving bus, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde outlined for parliament how the government plans to increase the safety of women in the capital.

Dec 18, 2012 13:00 (IST)

More Angry reactions from MPs in Parliament
Derek O'Brien of Trinamool Congress

I stand here as a nervous father of a 17-year old girl
Delhi has become the rape capital of India
Rape is not a women's issue, it is much beyond
It is about men who stop behaving like human beings and started behaving like animals
This is even worse than animals

Shivanand Tiwari: Delhi gangrape is a failure of Delhi police
He mentions item numbers in films and popular culture - angry protests from women MPs

Jaya Bachchan: Samajwadi Party MP

We live in such a country where women are worshipped
But that faith is disrupted everyday because in some city of India, especially in the capital there are atrocities against women
The way we are discussing this topic today it should have been done earlier

An Upset Jaya Bachchan says " I will not speak and protest outside the house. This is not a political issue . Only when it comes to women's (issues) we won't have time"
When Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien asks her to conclude - he requests her to give a notice for separate discussion. "Jayaji you are my sister, you will get enough time but not now," says PJ Kurien Jaya Bachchan keeps standing as Shivanand Tiwari Speaks

Mayawati:

We need to improve our laws and make them stricter, so that it serves as a deterrent
Delhi is our capital, these kind of shameful incidents are happening everyday.
Not enough to just arrest them, but action should be so strict that no one should dare to act in such a manner.

Congress' Renuka Choudhary

Police are to take such steps that fear is there...
How is it that these individuals think that they'll get away with it?

Dec 18, 2012 12:52 (IST)

The horrific rape of a young medical student in a bus in South Delhi on Sunday night was raised by angry parliamentarians today in both houses.

Here are all the reactions in Parliament:

Sushma Swaraj, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
What is the government doing to curb rape cases in the capital? The rapists should be hanged, we need tougher laws to stop rapes.

Girija Vyas, Congress
There should be security all around. Fast track is very much needed. I want to say that everybody should together... There is a need of self-defence programme. Please wake up and save our girls.

Hamid Ansari, Rajya Sabha Chairman
The government will make a statement on the case later today.

Meira Kumar, Speaker of Lok Sabha
The gang-rape case in Delhi is chilling. The government must take tough steps - this is what the House wants.

Kamal Nath, Parliamentary Affairs Minister
Tough and strict steps will be taken.

Dec 18, 2012 11:55 (IST)

Delhi's gang-rape in bus raised in Parliament
The horrific rape of a young medical student in a bus in South Delhi was raised by angry parliamentarians today in both houses. The government will make a statement on the case later today, Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari said.

Dec 18, 2012 11:10 (IST)

News Update
Rajya Sabha adjourned after uproar over Delhi gang-rape

Dec 17, 2012 21:54 (IST)

Quotas in promotions: Will it unite or divide society?
The bill for quota in promotions in government jobs for Dalits and tribals has been passed in the Rajya Sabha. Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party (SP) is opposing the bill, saying it will set a bad precedent even as other parties have supported the legislation. We debate whether this landmark legislation will unite or further divide India along caste lines.

Dec 17, 2012 19:51 (IST)

The Constitution (117th) Amendment Bill 2012 passed in the Upper House
The Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11:00 am tomorrow

Dec 17, 2012 19:23 (IST)

The House is voting on clauses of the bill to which amendments were moved...

Dec 17, 2012 19:22 (IST)

News Update

Subject to correction - Ayes 206 and Noes 10

Dec 17, 2012 19:06 (IST)

Samajwadi Party voted against the quota bill in Rajya Sabha

Dec 17, 2012 19:00 (IST)

News Update
Rajya Sabha votes in favour of quota in promotions - 184 of 192 members present and voting support the bill. 8 MPs have voted against the bill.

Dec 17, 2012 18:56 (IST)

Voting on quota in promotions bill
Rajya Sabha's secretary general is now explaining the method of voting to members

Dec 17, 2012 18:48 (IST)

BJP's Bhagat Singh Koshiyari: The IAS officers come to the centre from the states. Will you frame rules to make it mandatory for a certain number of SC/ST officers to come to the Centre? Otherwise in my experience, there will never be a situation where this quota in promotions is filled

Dec 17, 2012 18:39 (IST)

Constitution (117th) Amendment Bill 2012 in Rajya Sabha

V Narayansamy, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Speaking...

In the chair: Chairman Hamid Ansari

Attacking Samajwadi Party, Mr Narayansamy says:

I would like to submit- you are accepting the reservation at the entry level, so what is the problem is extending it to promotions...
There was one objection and suggested change by the leader of Opposition - under Art 335 - and the government has moved an amendment to the effect

Dec 17, 2012 14:06 (IST)

News Update
Quota Bill vote in Rajya Sabha at 5:30 pm

Dec 17, 2012 13:42 (IST)

BJP asks govt for explanation on Pak minister Rehman Malik's controversial remarks
Home Minister Suhsil Kumar Shinde made a statement in Rajya Sabha earlier today.

Dec 17, 2012 13:26 (IST)

Bills in the Lok Sabha
The Land Acquisition - Relief and Rehabilitation- Bill is scheduled to be tabled at 2 pm.

Banking Regulation Amendment Bill and Companies Bill are also listed in the Lok Sabha.

The banking bill is aimed at attracting more foreign investment into the banking industry in yet another move by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to open up Asia's third-largest economy. Finance Minister P. Chidambaram had tabled the Bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday, December 10, 2012

Dec 17, 2012 13:18 (IST)

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde's statement on Pak Interior Minster Rehman Malik's comments

In talks with Pak, we emphasised on bringing conspirators of Mumbai terror attacks to justice.
We have asked for all possible steps to be taken against terror suspects.
Mr Malik said if we desire Pakistan will give FIRs and other details of case when JuD's Hafiz Saeed were arrested and released.
Rehman Malik appears to have been misinformed. Cases given to us were not related to Mumbai terror attacks.

BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad: Why did the govt not speak about Pakistan Minister's comments on Babri Masjid, Abu Jundal? These amount commenting on India's internal matters.

Rajya Sabha breaks for an hour for Lunch. This issue will be taken up again says Deputy Speaker PJ Kurien. The time will be mutually arrived at...

Dec 17, 2012 13:03 (IST)

To counter quota bill, Mulayam's party raises issue of reservation for Muslims: 10 developments
Raising the issue during Question Hour as the House begins, Samajwadi Party's Ramgopal Yadav raised voice asking for reservation to Muslims in government jobs. "If a Constitutional (Amendment) is brought to provide reservation to Dalits, why can't similar amendment be introduced to provide reservation to Muslims? You suspend the Question Hour on the issue," said Ramgopal Yadav. At 5 pm, the Rajya Sabha will vote on whether promotions in government jobs should be reserved for Dalits and tribals.

Dec 17, 2012 12:53 (IST)

Voting on quota bill at 5 pm; Mulayam's party objects: Latest developments

At 5 pm, the Rajya Sabha will vote on whether promotions in government jobs should be reserved for Dalits and tribals. For those of you just joining us, here is a ten-point cheat sheet on what has been happening on this big story...

Dec 17, 2012 12:50 (IST)

Parliament disrupted over quota bill, Muslim reservation
Both houses of Parliament were disrupted on Monday as Samajwadi Party (SP) members voiced their protest over the bill on reservations in government job promotions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and implementation of the Sachar Committee report on minorities.

Dec 17, 2012 11:46 (IST)

News Update
Lok Sabha adjourned till till Noon
In Rajya Sabha, Dr Farooq Abdullah answering questions on cancellation of contracts under JNNSM.

Dec 17, 2012 11:28 (IST)

Lok Sabha adjourned till 11:30 am as Samajwadi Party creates ruckus over quota bill
Speaker tried running the house despite SP protests

Mulayam Singh Yadav got up and wanted the Speaker to allow Rewati Raman Singh's notice

Kamal Nath said this House will take up only after Rajya Sabha votes. This was followed by an uproar and the Lok Sabha had to be adjourned.

Dec 17, 2012 11:08 (IST)

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11:32 am over quota bill ruckus

Dec 13, 2012 17:48 (IST)

Kamal Nath says, 'I was able to reason with the Samjwadi Party.'
The Parliamentary Affairs Minister told NDTV that the Rajya Sabha would vote on the bill on Monday. He was confident of steering the bill through Lok Sabha before the current session ends.

Dec 13, 2012 16:19 (IST)

Mayawati on quota in promotion bill

SC/STs need reservation in promotions
Look at the statistics in any government department, much still needs to be done
The reservation policy that is in currently in vogue is a result of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's struggle
He was inspired by Chattrapati Shahuji Maharaj.
Our party has told the government many times that obstacles to the reservation and promotions in government jobs must be removed.
Sadly, no party at the centre has taken cognizance of our concerns

Dec 13, 2012 16:15 (IST)

Ram Gopal Yadav Speaks to reporters outside Parliament

This amendment is unconstitutional
Even if it is passed in Parliament, it will be thrown out when challenged in courts

Dec 13, 2012 15:41 (IST)

Voting on quota in promotions bill likely to take place on Monday: Sources
Arun Jaitley speaking on the quota bill in Rajya Sabha

BJP committed to social justice
Should not be implemented in a manner that creates reverse discrimination
Government should reconsider provision pertaining to Art 335 that deals with efficiency of service

Dec 13, 2012 15:25 (IST)

News Update - Bill to introduce promotion in quotas moved in Rajya Sabha
Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav speaks in Parliament..."On the basis of numbers, you are ignoring the wishes of the large number of people of this country. The way the Parliamentary Affairs Minister says these MPs should be thrown out, I and my colleagues will boycott this House."

After SP walkout, V Narayansamy tables the Constitution Amendment Bill....

Dec 13, 2012 14:34 (IST)

Deputy Speaker adjourns House for 10 minutes

Mr Kurien's attempts to get the Samajwadi Party MPs to withdraw from the house fail. "Don't test my patience. Stop shouting or leave..", the Deputy Speaker told the protesting MPs.

Dec 13, 2012 14:32 (IST)

News Update
Uproar in Rajya Sabha over quota in promotions bill... SP members shout slogans: Promotion mein arakshan, nahi chalega nahi chalega

Dec 13, 2012 14:29 (IST)

After outburst, Mayawati says she respects Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari
The Rajya Sabha came together today to express its support for Chairman Hamid Ansari, who was subjected yesterday to a scathing and unprecedented attack by Uttar Pradesh politician Mayawati.

Dec 13, 2012 13:11 (IST)

Mayawati speaks to reporters outside Parliament
Rajya Sabha has not been functioning in order after noon... and even you know that responsibility of running the House in order lies with the Chairman in the Rajya Sabha and the Speaker in the Lok Sabha...

Dec 13, 2012 12:23 (IST)

Hamid Ansari in Rajya Sabha
The chair seeks the cooperation of the house in his own functioning....

Dec 13, 2012 12:21 (IST)

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 PM: BSP members in the well raising "coal scam".

Dec 13, 2012 12:19 (IST)

Mulayam Singh Yadav met PM Manmohan Singh today. He told the PM that his Samajwadi Party will continue to oppose the bill to implement quota in promotions in government jobs. The SP has 22 members in the Lok Sabha and offer critical support to the UPA government.

Dec 13, 2012 11:59 (IST)

Lok Sabha disrupted over Afzal Guru hanging, adjourned till noon
Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena toay disrupted proceedings in the Lok Sabha as they noisily demanded the hanging of Afzal Guru, sentenced to death for the terror attack on parliament on this day 11 years ago.

The house observed a minute's silence to pay tribute to the nine people killed in the Dec 13, 2001 attack. The bedlam began soon after as members of BJP and Shiv Sena gathered near the speaker's podium shouting slogans demanding that Afzal Guru be hanged.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar's repeated requests to members to run the question hour fell on deaf ears.

Dec 13, 2012 11:57 (IST)

People did not sacrifice lives for this, says upset Speaker Meira Kumar
Today is the 11th anniversary of the terror attack on the Indian Parliament- nine people were killed when five gunmen drove into the high-security Parliament complex and opened fire.

Dec 12, 2012 12:46 (IST)

Retired judge to head inquiry into Wal-Mart lobbying
A retired judge will head an inquiry to determine whether government officials were bribed to help retail giant Wal-Mart gain access to Indian markets.

Dec 12, 2012 12:06 (IST)

In Rajya Sabha, Mayawati sharply criticises Chairman Hamid Ansari
A day after he observed that the "Chair of the House is forced to watch helplessly" as MPs shout and disrupt proceedings, Vice President Hamid Ansari was attacked in the Rajya Sabha today by politician Mayawati.

Dec 12, 2012 11:54 (IST)

Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon after uproar over BSP's charge that Chairman Hamid Ansari remains absent from House after Question Hour

Dec 11, 2012 15:06 (IST)

News Update
Rajya Sabha adjourned due to ruckus over quota bill

Dec 11, 2012 14:40 (IST)

Lok Sabha adjourned for the day

Dec 11, 2012 14:31 (IST)

Lalu Yadav of the RJD demand that WalMart be summoned
Doodh ka doodh aur pani ka pani ho jana chaiye... WalMart ko bulaya jaye aur poochey ussey paise kisko diya

Dec 11, 2012 14:29 (IST)

Lok Sabha discusses WalMart lobbying report
Tathagata Sathpaty of BJD: The political class is being viewed by suspicion. The BJD had clearly opposed FDI. The people in this country will realise the harm done maybe seven years later. It will impair the growth of the nation. People claiming to be governing the country are dirty, are filthy. It is a dark day for the country. It is not about the amount of money. It is about who was given the money and what were the deliverables expected. The reports of inquiry should be time-bound and given to the house before we adjourn for the winter session.

CPI's Gurudas Dasgupta: The voting on FDI has been under a cloud of suspicion. Therefore we demand an inquiry. There should be an inquiry not by the CBI but by a joint parliamentary committee or JPC.

Dec 11, 2012 12:49 (IST)

For those you just logging in -- here's the story so far...

The government is open to an inquiry into Wal-Mart's lobbying practices, a minister said on Tuesday, after reports the company spent $25 million in the United States to help gain access to markets including Asia's third largest economy.

"The government views this with as much concern as all sections of the house and has no hesitation in having an inquiry," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath told parliament as the opposition shouted for a probe.

Opposition uproar at a government policy to allow foreign supermarkets to operate in India for the first time has repeatedly caused parliament to be adjourned in recent weeks and derailed efforts to pass economic reforms.

(Reuters)

Dec 11, 2012 12:21 (IST)

News Update
Lok Sabha has been adjourned - the Rajya Sabha is now functioning

Dec 11, 2012 12:21 (IST)

BJP's Rajiv Pratap Rudy
We have seen how they have mustered the majority. Today a new situation has arisen. The WalMart report in US senate says 125 crores was spent to lobby for WalMart. Have these political parties succumbed? There is a big question now...

We have not said we will not let it go like this... this is a matter of national importance, we will not let it pass...

Dec 11, 2012 12:17 (IST)

Wal-Mart ka paisa kisne khaya, khane wale ka naam batao... BJP

Dec 11, 2012 12:16 (IST)

Kamal Nath mede his statement in the Rajya Sabha... He is trying to read from a written statement in Lok Sabha as sloganeering continues...."Govt has no hesitation is having an inquiry to get to the facts of the matter..."says Kamal Nath

Dec 11, 2012 12:14 (IST)

Govt open to inquiry, discussion in Parliament: Kamal Nath, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs

We are open to a discussion on this matter .
We can have an inquiry in to the matter - I will make a detailed statement later
It is not just a matter of concern for the Opposition, it is a matter of concern for all of us.

Dec 11, 2012 12:13 (IST)

Who were the beneficiaries of the money spent by WalMart in India? asks BJP's Yashwant Sinha

American system is not opaque as ours and that is the reason WalMart's deeds have come to the fore
The report in the American senate proves that WalMart spent money in India to enter this country
What has WalMart spent the money on? Who were the recipients?
The matter was raised by members during the debate on FDI

Dec 11, 2012 12:07 (IST)

News Update

Lok Sabha discusses WalMart lobbying

The voting on FDI has been under a cloud of suspicion. Therefore we demand an inquiry. There should be an inquiry not by the CBI but by a joint parliamentary committee or JPC : CPI's Gurudas Dasgupta

Dec 11, 2012 11:40 (IST)

News Update
Rajya Sabha resumes - and is adjourned till noon within minutes

BJP's Venkaiah Naidu tells the chair, "the entire country is agitated over this issue. Please don't come between us and the government."

Dec 11, 2012 11:39 (IST)

BJP's Rajnath Singh

I think if concerned minister had replied then this ruckus would not happened
The Govt should get this investigated by an independent body
If institutions like Wal-mart have lobbied then where has the money gone
We will mount pressure on Govt and would seek answers

Dec 11, 2012 11:38 (IST)

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi meet to discuss logjam in Parliament

Dec 11, 2012 11:18 (IST)

Hamid Ansari's strong observations

We should either move question hour or it should be dispensed with since members don't attach great importance.

Dec 11, 2012 11:07 (IST)

Rajya Sabha adjourned for 30 minutes
Chairman Hamid Ansari says he will call a meeting to discuss whether questions hour should be suspended altogether...

Dec 11, 2012 11:05 (IST)

Wal-mart's disclosure rocked Parliament
Lok Sabha adjourned till noon...

Dec 11, 2012 11:04 (IST)

News Update
Uproar in Lok Sabha - Speaker Meira Kumar asks MPs to go back to their seats.
BJP MPs have rushed to the well raising slogans against WalMart, FDI and Government...

Dec 11, 2012 10:51 (IST)

The Congress' Core Group is meeting to decide on Parliament strategy. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister AK Antony, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath are attending the meeting. The meeting comes after the Opposition raised the heat on the Wal-Mart lobbying controversy and the Samajawadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) war over "quota in promotions" bill.

While the BSP wants the government to pass the bill, the SP has threatened to disrupt the proceedings of the House daily if government goes ahead.

Dec 10, 2012 21:26 (IST)

Wal-Mart's disclosure on lobbying for FDI in India stirs new controversy
In India, a new controversy has erupted over the decision to open up the vast retail sector to foreign supermarkets.

Dec 10, 2012 18:09 (IST)

Row over Quota Bill
Ram Gopal Yadav, Samajwadi Party: If the government is adamant on it, the Samajwadi party will oppose it and will not let the house function.

Dec 10, 2012 15:45 (IST)

PM must clarify who is lobbying for WalMart in India: BJP
BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad says, "We want to ask the government, 'Who is lobbying for WalMart in India?' We want the Prime Minister to answer, and till the PM answers, till this matter is investigated, WalMart should not be allowed in India."

Dec 10, 2012 14:42 (IST)

All-party meeting on promotion quota bill fails to break deadlock
An all-party meeting called by Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari today to resolve differences over the promotions quota bill ended without a solution. This comes following an uproar in Rajya Sabha over the contentious bill that ended in the House being adjourned for the day.

Dec 10, 2012 14:35 (IST)

Lobbyists can't score with us because we don't speak English, says Mulayam's man
Mohan Singh from Mr Yadav's party had a unique explanation for why any attempts at lobbying would have fallen flat with the Samajwadi Party. "No Samajwadi Party member can be lobbied with by Wal-Mart, we don't have any leader who can speak English," he said.

Dec 10, 2012 14:22 (IST)

News Update
Rajya Sabha Chiarman has called for an all-party meet to resolve deadlock over bill for quota in promotions in government jobs.

V Narayansami, Minister of State in PM's Office has said the government is committed to giving reservations in promotions

Dec 10, 2012 14:20 (IST)

Mohan Singh, Samajwadi Party on WalMart lobbying in India

The American Senate Committee has found that from 2008 till date Walmart has spent a lot of money on lobbying both in the US and in India. It is well known that when multi-nationals want to set up shop in a country, they spend a lot. That is part of their strategy. It is natural that they would have spent a hefty amount on lobbying in India. What has come out is a rough estimate. In my understanding, the money spent on India may be much more. The government should investigate how much Walmart spent in lobbying in India, who were the politicians and political parties involved.

Dec 10, 2012 13:45 (IST)

V Narayansami, Minister of State in PM's Office: What can we do if Walmart lobbies in the US. It's legally allowed there and it has nothing to do with the government of India. Anand Sharma will give a detailed response. If BJP wants to raise it, they can raise it in the US.

Dec 10, 2012 13:37 (IST)

Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP: Wal-Mart has in its lobbying disclosure report to the US Senate said it has spent Rs 125 crore on lobbying and USD three million have been spent in 2012 itself for entering the Indian market. Lobbying is illegal in India. Lobbying is a kind of bribe. If Wal-Mart has said that hundreds of crores of rupees were spent in India, then it is a kind of bribe. Government should tell who was given this bribe. This raises a question mark on the implementation of FDI in retail.

Dec 10, 2012 12:45 (IST)

Wal-mart's disclosure on lobbying for FDI in India stirs new controversy
Rajya Sabha adjourned twice after Opposition uproar over reports of Wal-Mart spending on lobbying to enter Indian market.

Dec 10, 2012 12:24 (IST)

JUST IN
Upper House adjourned for 10 minutes; BJP demands probe on report that suggests WalMart spent $25 million to lobby in India

Dec 10, 2012 12:21 (IST)

News Update
Furor over WalMart lobbying row in Rajya Sabha

Dec 10, 2012 12:11 (IST)

Who stands where on the quota

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath: We have listed it on first position and we would want it to get passed. We will try and convince the Samajwadi Party.

Naresh Agrawal, Samajwadi Party MP in Rajya Sabha: Samajwadi Party wants the House to function, but parting of the communities is not right and SP is not in its favour. I am sure results will be in favour of the people.

BJP's Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi: We are not bothered about SP and BSP. We have always cared about the well being and progress of Dalits and will reveal out stand in Parliament accordingly.

Dec 10, 2012 10:39 (IST)

After FDI, Govt now faces quota bill dilemma
The government just managed to successfully tide over the FDI issue in Parliament, but now it has another task at hand.

Dec 07, 2012 18:27 (IST)

A diva is nominated to Rajya Sabha & comes for 11 mins to get sworn in.Then she bunks.She next saunters in for the FDI vote.Eminent person?
- Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 7, 2012

Dec 07, 2012 17:08 (IST)

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath to NDTV

I tried and explain to all political parties that please recognize the politics of BJP
In the garb of FDi they want to play politics and this has to be abhorred.
Mayawati understands politics, she did not want to support the BJP's politics

Dec 07, 2012 17:08 (IST)

BJP's Venkaiah Naidu on losing FDI vote

We may have lost on numbers because of the manipulation of the ruling party, but it is a moral victory.
Overwhelming numbers of the members spoke against FDI
They may have had the numbers but I am sure they will be taught a fitting lesson by the people

Dec 07, 2012 16:56 (IST)

FDI: Government seeks recalculation of votes in Rajya Sabha
The government has sought recalculation of votes in the Rajya Sabha on the issue of Foreign Direct Investment or FDI in retail as the total number of votes appeared to be more than the actual strength of the House.

Dec 07, 2012 16:49 (IST)

Re-counting of votes on in the Rajya Sabha on. NDTV's Rahul Shrivastava reports this is not a major flutter and is a confirmatory exercise

Dec 07, 2012 15:41 (IST)

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath to NDTV
I had appealed to all parties to support us. I am glad they have seen through BJP's politics.

Dec 07, 2012 15:16 (IST)

News Update
Hamid Ansari announces revised figures : Ayes 109 and Noes 123 ... the motion is negated....

Dec 07, 2012 15:09 (IST)

News Update: Mulayam,Mayawati help govt win Rajya Sabha too
Out of the 212 members present and voting, 95 members supported the motion and 116 voted votes for the government against the motion

The machines flashed these figures... these are being re-tabulated as some members complain their votes were not registered...

Dec 07, 2012 15:01 (IST)

Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha explaining the voting procedures to members

Dec 07, 2012 14:57 (IST)

News Update
The motion on FDI is put to division in Rajya Sabha

Dec 07, 2012 14:48 (IST)

News Update
Samajwadi Party (9 MPs) have walked out; they will abstain....

Dec 07, 2012 14:45 (IST)

Anand Sharma's concluding comments

We do not have to learn about Gandhiji from you.
The political discourse here should be within the limits of decency.
If you live in a glass house, don't throw stones at us... there may be a few thrown from the treasury benches too.
This kind of political discourse is not in favour of the nation, it spoils the atmosphere for investment.
We don't make policies under western influence, our policies are to uphold supreme national interests

Dec 07, 2012 14:34 (IST)

News Update
Rajya Sabha proceedings being again... Anand Sharma trying to complete his response to the debate after he was interrupted an hour earlier....

Dec 07, 2012 14:05 (IST)

FDI vote in Rajya Sabha: