Ruling alliance NDA candidate Harivansh Singh has been appointed Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha today as the monsoon session of parliament began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the role of Bihar in the country's "democratic ethos", recalling former greats like Jayaprakash Narayan and Karpuri Thakur while congratulating Mr Singh, who got elected as the deputy chairman of the Upper House today for a second time.
Seventeen members of the Lok Sabha, who underwent mandatory tests before the monsoon session of parliament, have tested positive for Coronavirus. Among the infected MPs, the BJP has a maximum number -- 12. The YSR Congress has two MPs, the Shiv Sena, DMK and RLP one each.
Earlier, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan had defended the government's handling of the pandemic and said that the number of Covid cases and related deaths in India are among the "lowest in the world". "With our endeavour to manage COVID-19, India has been able to limit its cases and deaths to 3,328 cases and 55 deaths per million population respectively, which is one of the lowest in the world as compared to similarly affected countries," the minister said.
Meanwhile, proceedings have begun in the Rajya Sabha for the Monsoon Session with MPs following Covid protocols; the Lok Sabha, meanwhile, has been adjourned till 3 pm tomorrow.
Ahead of the Monsoon Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his traditional comments before the parliament session, delivered a strong message on the China dispute at the border. "We hope parliament and all members will unitedly send the message that the nation stands with our soldiers," PM Modi said.
The government has listed 23 new legislations for consideration and passage including 11 bills replacing ordinances issued since March, when parliament was adjourned indefinitely in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
Here are the Updates on Parliament Monsoon Session 2020:
Forty-five Lok Sabha MPs marked their attendance through an app while others used the traditional method of signing on the register as the Monsoon session of Parliament kicked off on Monday.
The MPs used the ''Attendance Register'' App, which is designed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to curtail the risk of COVID-19 spread as MPs will not have to use or touch the attendance register.
They have to be present inside the Parliament to register themselves using the coordinates provided by the app.
359 members attended the proceedings of the Lok Sabha today.
With the monsoon session of Parliament beginning from Monday, the Shiv Sena asked whether
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated Rajya Sabha member Harivansh Singh, who got elected as the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, saying "outstanding umpire who belongs to all sides of the aisle".
- The trust we had on Harivanshji, he has fulfilled it all.
- Harisvansh ji never discriminated or took any sides.
- These 2 years are witness of how Harivansh ji carried out his duties.
- Last year, the House passed maximum bills despite it being an election year
- Harivansh Ji entered politics in 2014 after serving as a journalist for four decades
- Harivansh ji has raised nation's reputation at every national and international stage
Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned for an hour as mark of respect to Pranab Mukherjee and three sitting members who died recently.
New members of the Rajya Sabha, including JMM's Shibu Soren (Pic 2 and 3) and DMK's T Siva (Pic 4), take oath as #MonsoonSession begins.
- ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2020
Pens used by MPs to sign being changed after every use, in view of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/AeGskIipH7
संसद का मानसून सत्र आज शुरू हुआ।
- Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) September 14, 2020
अगर 18 दिनों के सत्र में 45 विधेयक और 2 वित्तीय विषय पेश हों सकते हैं तो फिर प्रश्नोत्तर काल क्यों नही?
क्या यह संसदीय प्रणाली को धूमिल करने और जनता के प्रति जबाबदेही से भागने का तरीक़ा है?
With shields of hardened plexiglass installed around each bench, now only accommodating three instead of six parliamentarians, the Lok Sabha met for 20 minutes and then recessed for an hour on the first day of the Parliament's 18-day Monsoon session."
#WATCH: National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah leaves from the Parliament after attending first day of the #MonsoonSession.
- ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2020
He was put under detention after the abrogation of Article 370 in August last year and was released on 13th March. pic.twitter.com/KB6cyQSepI
#MonsoonSession2020 | "The Bill is a direct attack on the federal structure of the constitution": Adhir Ranjan Choudhary, MP, Congress on farm-related Bill pic.twitter.com/UoRCmexPPB
- NDTV (@ndtv) September 14, 2020
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, MPs register their attendance using the 'Attendance Register' App: Lok Sabha Secretariat
- NDTV (@ndtv) September 14, 2020
(Photos: ANI) pic.twitter.com/3oeQDTNA9u
- Maximum cases and deaths reported from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, UP, Delhi, Bengal, Bihar, Telangana, Odisha, Assam, Kerala, Gujarat . These states have more than 1 lakh cases.
- More than 60% active cases in 5 states.
- India has been able to limit its cases and deaths per million to 3,328 cases per million and 55 deaths per million population -- one of the lowest in the world as compared to other affected countries
- No scheduled international commercial flights are being allowed for now.
- Containment plans were released at the start of the pandemic and they have been updated from time to time.
- I think the biggest challenge right now in the country is the State of the economy and unemployment. I think on the first first day, what we should have debated today in Parliament is the state of the economy, pandemic and challenges of unemployment.
- This is a global scenario and we're not the only country going through it. But it should be priority of government. I don't see this government at the Centre talking extensively either about the economy or unemployment challenges. We should put it on priority
Within a month after plus 2 result, they have to enter into NEET exam and they are clueless. Without knowing any subject matter of CBSE syllabus, they are helpless and committing suicide. Future doctors of India have committed suicide: TR Baalu, DMK MP, in Lok Sabha https://t.co/hjGgiwttno
- ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2020
It's extraordinary situation. When Assemblies aren't ready to meet for a single day, we -with around 800-850 MPs- are meeting here. There are so many ways to question the govt, govt isn't running away from discussion. We're ready for discussion: Pralhad Joshi, BJP MP in Lok Sabha https://t.co/YKOnqQNIkT pic.twitter.com/7M1KNaJZ4b
- ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2020
Strict SOPs in Parliament for #MonsoonSession2020 pic.twitter.com/6V47UlDlmr
- NDTV (@ndtv) September 14, 2020
#MonsoonSession2020 | Plastic partition between MPs in Lok Sabha, Sunil Prabhu reports pic.twitter.com/uqbTu3w22H
- NDTV (@ndtv) September 14, 2020
Lok Sabha adjourns for an hour after hearing obituary announcements mourning the loss of former members. MPs have come well shielded against the coronavirus: here for example am I pic.twitter.com/3XIJu5KXIl
- Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) September 14, 2020
PM says :
- Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) September 14, 2020
Hope Parliament will unitedly send message that the nation stands behind our soldiers
Response :
Every citizen of our country stands behind our soldiers . We salute them .
Behind the PM's policies and actions ?
I doubt it
संसद देश के नागरिकों की भावनाओं, आशाओं व अपेक्षाओं के अनुरूप कार्य करने को तत्पर है।
- Lok Sabha Speaker (@loksabhaspeaker) September 14, 2020
विश्वास है कि पक्ष-विपक्ष सार्थक चर्चा के माध्यम से लोकतंत्र की भावना को मजबूत बनाने व संवैधानिक मूल्यों की अभिवृद्धि में सर्वश्रेष्ठ योगदान देंगे।#MonsoonSession
"Nation Stands Behind Our Soldiers": PM Ahead Of Parliament Session
- NDTV (@ndtv) September 14, 2020
Read more: https://t.co/LaxXPBB9K5 pic.twitter.com/OftjiClVBj
Delhi: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MPs TR Balu and Kanimozhi stage protest against NEET examination in the Parliament premises ahead of #MonsoonSession commencing today. pic.twitter.com/t9XuJ0i8FS
- ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2020
#WATCH Delhi: Sanitization work being undertaken in the Parliament premises ahead of the commencement of #MonsoonSession today. pic.twitter.com/yTP956Uyq9
- ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2020
A #New series #InsideParliament The world & our glorious nation must know, how this Govt continues to mock #Parliament. Dangerous for Democracy, cancelled #QuestionHour, slashed Zero Hour, no scrutiny of Bills & creating an ordinance raj like one never seen before in last 70 yrs pic.twitter.com/ASZAbrxxhQ
- Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) September 13, 2020
The Monsoon session of Parliament is set to commence today amid unprecedented safety measures for coronavirus. The 18-day session -- which will be the fourth session of 17th Lok Sabha and 252nd session of Rajya Sabha -- will have curtailed timings - four-hour sessions for each house each day - parliament will function seven days a week.
This will be the first Parliament session being held amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The customary all-party meeting of the government was not held this time, the Zero Hour has been cut down to half and the Question Hour has been scrapped, which has hugely upset the opposition.