Parliament Monsoon Session: The Monsoon session is scheduled to conclude on October 1. (File)
Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day amid uproar by opposition members over the suspension of eight MPs, including TMC leader Derek O'Brien and Sanjay Singh of AAP, for the remaining part of the Monsoon session over their "unruly behaviour" during the passage of farm bills.
The proceedings of the House were almost washed out as it could not take up any legislative business. Earlier in the day, some members managed to raise issues during Zero Hour.
The House witnessed five adjournments as some opposition members continued protests over the suspension of members.
As soon as the House resumed at 12 pm, Bhubaneswar Kalita, who was in the chair, asked the suspended members to leave the House and urged members to maintain decorum.
However, the opposition members refused to budge forcing the Chair to adjourn the House for the day.
Earlier in the day, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu termed the behaviour of members during the passage of the bills on Sunday as "very unfortunate, unacceptable and condemnable" and one that has "tarnished" the image of Parliament, particularly the House of Elders.
Here are the Highlights from the Parliament Monsoon Session 2020:
Farm bills will lead to famine, BJP operating like fascist regime: Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday attacked the BJP-led central government over the passage of two farm sector reform bills, claiming that the "anti-farmer" legislations which were bulldozed through the Rajya Sabha by a "fascist" regime will lead to famine.
Urging all opposition parties to come together and fight the bills tooth and nail to protect the rights of farmers, the Trinamool Congress supremo slammed the decision to suspend eight Rajya Sabha MPs for protesting against the farm bills and said that it is a "black day for democracy".
"These bills will push the country towards famine. They (the Centre) have failed to curb the COVID-19 pandemic and are now creating a food pandemic. They will be responsible for this famine," she claimed while addressing a press conference.
Decision to hike MSP will benefit crores of farmers: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the hike in the minimum support price (MSP) of six rabi crops as "historic", saying it will empower farmers and contribute to doubling of their income.
He also said it is his government's great privilege to work for the welfare of farmers.
"Higher MSP will empower farmers and contribute to doubling of their income. Increased MSP, along with the series of agriculture reforms passed by Parliament will ensure dignity and prosperity of farmers. Jai Kisan!" PM Modi tweeted.
AAP announces support to farmers' September 25 Punjab bandh call
Punjab's main opposition party AAP on Monday decided to support the September 25 Punjab ''bandh'' call given by various farmers'' outfits against the three new farm bills.
"Aam Aadmi Party, Punjab announces its full support to farmers strike on September 25 against the anti-agriculture laws," said AAP in a statement.
As many as 30 farmers' outfits have already given a call for the complete shutdown of Punjab on September 25 in protest against the three farm bills.
Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad slams opposition leaders for Rajya Sabha ruckus
The government on Monday accused opposition leaders of irresponsible conduct in the Rajya Sabha during the passage of the farm bills and said they violated rules by not vacating the House despite being suspended.
Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the conduct of opposition leaders in the Upper House of Parliament on Sunday was "shameful" and "irresponsible".
Opposition Rajya Sabha members despite being suspended did not leave the House on Monday which was an open violation of the rules, Prasad said.
"We had a clear majority in Rajya Sabha on farm bills," he said, adding that 110 members supported the bills and a little over 70 opposed it.
Congress to launch nationwide stir against farm bills from September 24
The Congress will launch a nationwide agitation from September 24 against the Central government for passing the farm bills, said the party after a meeting of all general secretaries of All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Monday.
Senior Congress leader AK Antony said, "The Congress is launching an agitation against the government for passing the anti-farmer and anti-people laws."
Senior Congress leader Ahmad Patel, who was also present during the meeting said, "The government has destroyed the democratic system. The agricultural bills are neither in the interest of the state government nor the farmers. We raised our voice against this in Parliament will now take to the streets."
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad says today's conduct of the suspended members of not refusing the House (Rajya Sabha) in spite of a declaration of suspension by the Chairperson is illegal and further aggravates their conduct as far as violating norms of the House is concerned.
Ordinances being promulgated on pretext of Covid-19: Congress MP
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in the Lok Sabha says: "I took a serious exception to the way one after another Ordinances are being promulgated on the pretext of Covid-19. What I would suggest the government, is that the promulgation of ordinances shouldn't be taken as a rule. It should be considered as an exception."
"What I am afraid of is that this Ordinance-savvy government, on one pretext or the other, is resorting to the promulgation of the Ordinance," he said.
Centre should assure farmers it will continue procuring paddy, wheat at minimum support price: Congress leader
The Centre should assure farmers it will continue to procure paddy and wheat at minimum support price as the passage of two farm-related Bills has created apprehension among the farming community whether the FCI will purchase their crops, Congress MP Manish Tewari demanded.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he also said the government should ensure the Food Corporation of India (FCI), the nodal agency for procurement and distribution of food grains, continue to give funds to state procurement agencies to carry out purchase operations smoothly.
Shiromani Akali Dal delegation meets President over farm bills
A delegation of Shiromani Akali Dal met President Ram Nath Kovind today over farm bills passed in the Parliament, reports news agency ANI.
"We requested him not to sign on 'anti-farmer' bills that have been forcefully passed in Rajya Sabha. We requested him to send back the bills to the Parliament," says Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Merchandise imports from China came down to $11.01 billion this year: Centre to Lok Sabha
Merchandise imports from China were $76.38 billion in 2017-18, which decreased to $70.31 billion in 2018-19 and to $65.26 billion in 2019-20, says Ministry of Commerce in the Lok Sabha.
It said the imports were $11.01 billion during April-June of 2020-21 as compared to $17.26 billion for the same period in 2019-20.
12 parties have sought time to meet the President, in connection with the farm Bills passed by Rajya Sabha without voting yesterday. The parties have requested the President to not give ascent to the Bills: Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil.
I condemn this kind of expulsion of the members of Rajya Sabha in such a brazen and undemocratic manner. We will protest to restore the status quo ante of our members in Rajya Sabha: Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
"Some Fear Control Slipping Away": PM's Dig At Opposition On Farm Bills
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the proposed farming laws at the centre of a huge controversy are "historic and necessary" for the country to move forward in the 21st Century. In an attack on the opposition, he also indicated that they are the architects of the controversy, instigating farmers with lies as they "feel control slipping away".
Read Here MPs of opposition parties, including the suspended MPs, hold protest in front of Gandhi statue in the Parliament premises
Bill To Amend Factoring Regulation Act In Lok Sabha Today
Lok Sabha will today take up a bill to amend the Factoring Regulation Act that seeks to help micro, small and medium enterprises by providing additional avenues for getting credit facility. The Factoring Regulation (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the lower house on September 14. The Factoring Regulation Act, 2011 was enacted to provide for regulating the assignment of receivables to factors, registration of factors carrying on factoring business and the rights and obligations of parties to the contract for assignment of receivables.
MPs of opposition parties, including the suspended MPs, hold protest in front of Gandhi statue in the Parliament premises, against the suspension of eight MPs by Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu today.
Congress workers hold protest against the Centre's agriculture Bills.
Rahul Gandhi Calls Out 'Silencing' of Opposition, 'Endless Arrogance' of Centre
Rajya Sabha Adjourned Till 12 Noon
Amid continuous protest by the Opposition members over the suspension of eight Members of Parliament (MP), the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the fourth time till 12 noon.
In the chair, Bhubaneshwar Kalita, asks suspended members to leave the House as Opposition leaders continue sloganeering
Rajya Sabha Resumes
Proceedings of the Rajya Sabha resumes with Bhubaneswar Kalita as the presiding officer.
Congress Lok Sabha MP Suresh Kodikunnil gives adjournment motion of the business of the house 'for the purpose of discussing the suppression of rights of farmers of the country.'
Amendments of several members for referring the matter to Select Committee were not taken up for disposal before passing of the farm Bill by so-called "voice vote." The role of Chair in this context was ex facie 'partisan', unprecedented and unlawful: TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray.
Rajya Sabha Adjourned Till 10:36 AM Today
Deputy Chairman Harivansh adjourns the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha till 10:36 am.
The suspended members have no right to be in the House. The House cannot function with the presence of non-members: Rajya Sabha MP V. Muraleedharan.
Rajya Sabha Resumes
The proceedings of the Rajya Sabha resumes after brief adjournment.
8 Opposition MPs Suspended From Rajya Sabha Over Ruckus On Agriculture Bills
Eight Opposition members have been suspended from the Rajya Sabha for one week for creating a ruckus on Sunday during the discussion over agriculture reform Bills. The eight suspended members are Derek O'Brien, KK Ragesh, Dola Sen, Syed Nazir Hussain, Sanjay Singh, Rajiv Sattav, Ripun Bora and Elamaram Kareem.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 10 am amid opposition protest.
Eight members of the House are suspended for a week: Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu.
No-confidence motion against the Deputy Chairman is not admissible under the rules: Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu.
Leader of Opposition has given the Notice to move a No-Confidence Motion against the Deputy Chairman for violation of rules.
BJP MPs File Complaint against Opposition Over Ruckus In Rajya Sabha
BJP Rajya Sabha MPs file complaint against opposition members who created ruckus in the House on Sunday in presence of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh during the discussion over farm bills. Rajya Sabha Chairman to take a decision on the action to be taken against the concerned members.
Rajya Sabha Resumes
Rajya Sabha resumes its session today after an eventful Sunday, which led to a political slugfest between the ruling BJP and the Opposition.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP KC Venugopal has given Zero-Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over 'refusal of banks to give loans'
TDP MP K Ravindra Kumar has given Zero-Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over the "need for stringent punishment for atrocities against Dalits".
BJD MP Prasanna Acharya has given Zero-Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha and has demanded to rename Paradip Port after former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik.
Kanpur: Farmers in the district welcome the new agriculture reform bills.
"Watershed Moment In History Of Agriculture": PM After Farm Bills Passed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the passing of the farm bills in parliament was a "watershed moment in the history of Indian agriculture" as he hailed the laws cleared by the Rajya Sabha amid major chaos and drama. "A watershed moment in the history of Indian agriculture! Congratulations to our hardworking farmers on the passage of key bills in Parliament, which will ensure a complete transformation of the agriculture sector as well as empower crores of farmers," he tweeted.
Rajnath Singh's "Main Bhi Kisan" Retort To Attacks On Farm Bills
The unprecedented "drama" by the opposition in Rajya Sabha during the passage of the farm bills was an "attempt to confuse farmers", Union minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday.
Read Here Opposition leaders meeting at 8.45 am as they are upset with how business was conducted They are going to counter any attempt of the government.