Parliament Monsoon Session: The Monsoon session is scheduled to conclude on October 1. (File)
The opposition today boycotted the proceedings of the Lok Sabha, hours after it walked out of the Rajya Sabha.
Earlier in the day, the opposition said it will boycott the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha till three key demands, including revoking of the suspension of eight members, are met, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad declared in the upper house today. Eight opposition members of the Rajya Sabha were suspended on Monday for the rest of the session over the chaos in the House during Sunday's passing of the farm bills. However, the members, including Trinamool Congress's Derek O'Brien, Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay singh, Congress's Rajeev Satav and CPM's KK Ragesh, refused to leave.
A number of opposition parties led by the Congress staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha today, demanding that the suspension of eight members be revoked. The Congress was the first to walkout from the house along with members of the Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress and Left parties.
The opposition said the members should have been given a chance to explain and demanded a vote on their suspension, but the Rajya Sabha said the decision was based on a government motion.
Here are the highlights from the Parliament Monsoon Session 2020:
For Lok Sabha, Monsoon Session likely to end on WednesdayThe Lok Sabha is likely to be adjourned sine die on Wednesday, eight days ahead of the scheduled end of the Monsoon Session, amid concerns of spread of coronavirus among lawmakers, sources said on Tuesday.
The House, which will meet at 3 pm on Wednesday is likely to be adjourned sine die (when there is no decided date for resumption), the sources said.
The session which began on September 14, witnessed passage of several bills by the Lok Sabha, including those which sought to replace the ordinances issued recently.
Lok Sabha takes up three labour Codes amid boycott by OppositionThe labour reforms that are being undertaken by the government will prove to be a milestone for the welfare of workers, Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar said in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Lok Sabha took up three bills on the labour code, which were moved by Gangwar, amid boycott of House proceedings by several opposition parties, including the Congress, in protest against the suspension of eight Rajya Sabha members.
While moving the bills for consideration and passage, the minister said the government has come out with the changes in the legislations after extensive consultations with state governments and other stakeholders.
He said about three-fourth of the recommendations of the standing committee, which scrutinised the codes, have been incorporated in the bills by the government.
On Saturday, Gangwar had introduced the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, and the Code on Social Security, 2020.
Over 29 labour laws have been merged into four codes and one (Code on Wages Bill, 2019) of them has already been passed, according to the minister.
Flooor leaders of major opposition parties are meeting the Speaker over demand to withdraw suspension of Rajya Sabha MPs.
Opposition boycotts Lok Sabha, walks out hours after similar move in Rajya Sabha over farm bills, MPs' suspension
Rajya Sabha passes Rashtriya Raksha University Bill 2020
Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Rashtriya Raksha University Bill 2020, which seeks to establish Rashtriya Raksha University as an institution of national importance by upgrading Raksha Shakti University, Gandhinagar.
Later, the Upper House was adjourned till 9 AM Wednesday.
The Bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha.
The Rashtriya Raksha University is proposed to be a multi-disciplinary university to create new knowledge through research and collaboration with different stakeholders and help to fulfill the need for a pool of trained professionals with specialized knowledge and new skill sets in various wings of policing, the criminal justice system and correctional administration.
Opposition parties likely to boycott LS, indicates Derek O'BrienTMC MP Derek O' Brien on Tuesday indicated that Opposition parties are going to boycott the Lok Sabha session in protest against the suspension of eight MPs.
Members of the opposition had walked out of the Rajya Sabha earlier in the day.
"There is no Opposition in Rajya Sabha and I am given to understand that the Opposition leaders are going to boycott Lok Sabha as well. So, if that actually happens, there will be absolutely no Opposition in Parliament," Mr O'Brien said during a media briefing.
Mr O' Brien along with seven other MPs were suspended on Monday over their "misbehaviour" with the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman during the passage of farm bills on Sunday.
Rajya Sabha passes 7 key bills in three and half hoursIn one of the most productive days in its history, Rajya Sabha on Tuesday in a matter of three and half hours passed seven key bills including one that removes cereals, pulses and onion from the essential commodities list and another that abolishes penalty for certain offences by companies.
This after most of the opposition including the Congress, Left parties, the TMC, the Samajwadi Party and the NCP decided to boycott House proceedings in protest against the suspension of eight MPs for the remainder of the session for unruly behaviour.
Only members from the ruling BJP and its ally JD-U and those of parties such as AIADMK, BJD, YSR-Congress and TDP, which have been extending support to the Modi government on various issues, participated in the debates on the bills.
In most bills, the members participation was sparse and the minister's reply brief.
The Upper House took up government legislative business after nearly an hour of discussion over the conduct of opposition MPs during the passage of two agriculture reform bills on Sunday, with Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu saying the suspension could be revoked if the members expressed regret over their action.
Lok Sabha adjourned for an hour after opposition protests on farmers' issuesLok Sabha was adjourned for an hour on Tuesday following protests by opposition members who claimed that the government has done too little for the welfare of farmers.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said Monday's announcement by Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar of increasing minimum support price (MSP) of six Rabi crops was too little for the benefits of farmers, who have been agitating against two farm bills, which were passed by Parliament on Sunday.
Mr Chowdhury was supported by DMK leader T R Baalu and TMC's Kalyan Banerjee.
Soon, opposition members shouted slogans and came near the well of the House to register their protests in support of farmers, who are agitating in Punjab, Haryana and some other places.
"Rajya Sabha Boycott Till 3 Demands Met": Opposition Cranks Up PressureThe opposition will boycott the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha till three key demands as well as a "request" of revoking of the suspension of eight members, are met, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad declared in the upper house today as high drama continued for the third straight day.
The suspended members continued their sit-in on the lawns of the parliament complex till about 11:30 AM after spending the night there in protest. They were suspended over Sunday's unprecedented chaos and "unruly behaviour" in the Rajya Sabha when two controversial farm bills were passed.
Centre Will Consider Revoking Suspension Of MPs After They Apologise: Ravi Shankar Prasad
The government will consider revoking the suspension of eight Rajya Sabha members only after they apologise for their behaviour in the Upper House, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today.
Read Here The eight suspended Rajya Sabha members include Trinamool Congress's Derek O'Brien, Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay singh, Congress's Rajeev Satav and CPM's KK Ragesh.
Centre's "No Data" Admissions Help Shashi Tharoor Re-Interpret NDA
The government's multiple admissions in parliament that it has no data on various subjects -- from migrant labourers to farmer suicides -- have made it the target of the Congress, whose leaders have launched a concerted attack. Today senior Congress leader and former Union minister Shashi Tharoor tweeted a list laced with sarcasm.
Read Here Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow.
Delhi: Congress workers hold protest against the Farmers' & Produce Trade & Commerce (Promotion & Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and Farmers (Empowerment & Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, passed by the government.
The requirement of mandatory universal screening of all international passengers arriving in 21 airports in India for COVID-19 was implemented by Government of India w.e.f 4 March 2020: V Muraleedharaan
ajya Sabha passes the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2020.
The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020 passed in Rajya Sabha.
Rajya Sabha passes the National Forensic Sciences University Bill 2020.
"Crocodile Tears": Bengal Governor To Mamata Banerjee Amid Farmers' Row
As Mamata Banerjee threatens to hit the streets in the showdown between the centre and the opposition over farm bills, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, in a sharp attack on the Chief Minister, accused her of "shedding crocodile tears" for farmers after depriving them of benefits from a central scheme during the coronavirus pandemic.
Read Here We expected Congress to oppose such 'unruly'' behaviour by Opposition members in Rajya Sabha: Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Rajya Sabha passes the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2020.
Intent To Benefit Capitalist Friends Clear: Rahul Gandhi On Centre's MSP Hike
Giving the example of how the Prime Minister's stance on implementation of the minimum support price (MSP) has changed since his first election in 2014, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a dig at PM Narendra Modi, saying his intention to support farmers was "clear" - meant to wipe them out, and benefit corporates.
Read Here. "After many Opposition parties have boycotted the remainder of the Monsoon Session of Rajya Sabha, the dharna at Gandhi statue has ended. Now we will take our fight for the rights of the farmers to every town and village in the country," tweeted Trinamool MP Dola Sen.
DMP MP A Raja gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha, demanding discussion on draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2020 and its impact on sustainable development.
TMC MP Saugata Roy gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over "farmers' protest against Government policies in the farming sector".
Congress MP MK Raghavan has given adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha demanding discussion on 'border issues with neighbouring countries'
Congress MP TN Prathapan has given adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha demanding a discussion on the stand of the government over OBC reservation in the country
Sharad Pawar's Fast Today To Show Support For 8 Suspended Rajya Sabha MPs
Veteran Maharashtra leader Sharad Pawar today announced a one-day fast to express solidarity with eight Rajya Sabha members suspended over chaos during a vote on controversial farm bills. The Congress and other opposition parties have announced a boycott of the Rajya Sabha for the rest of the session unless the suspension is revoked. "I will not eat anything today in solidarity with the protesting members," Sharad Pawar, the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), told reporters.
Congress Calls For Meeting Before Lok Sabha Session
Congress has called a meeting of its Lok Sabha MPs before the commencement of the session of Lok Sabha today.
Arvind Kejriwal Targets Government Over Passage Of Farm Bills
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday targeted the government over the passage of the "dangerous" farm Bills without division of votes in Rajya Sabha, while lauding the sit-in protest on the Parliament premises by the eight suspended MPs. The eight Rajya Sabha members, including AAP MP Sanjay Singh, were suspended for the remaining part of the Monsoon Session over "unruly behaviour" during the passage of the farm Bills in the Upper House of Parliament.
Rajya Sabha has taken up the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020 for passage.
"Anguished, Couldn't Sleep": Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman's 1-Day Fast
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh has declared a one-day fast till tomorrow, expressing anguish over opposition attacks in parliament during the vote on the government's farm bills.
Read Here Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh writes to President Ram Nath Kovind against MPs' unruly behaviour.
Opposition MP's who spent the night in front of Parliament don't need tea,they need justice, tweeted Ahmed Patel.
We wanted not just the suspension to be revoked but at the same time we wanted the farm bills to be taken back and proper voting to happen. But nothing of that sort was going to happen as the Chairman wasn't ready to listen to anyone: Syed Nasir Hussain, Congress Rajya Sabha MP.
I am a senior Member of Parliament, I have apologised for what happened in the House, but I didn't get any response. I found this very insulting. My party has decided to boycott the entire session: Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha MP Ram Gopal Yadav.
We'll boycott Parliament session until the government accepts our 3 demands-govt to bring another bill under which no private player can purchase below MSP, MSP to be fixed under formula recommended by Swaminathan Commission and Govt agencies like FCI shouldn't buy crops below MSP: Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu urges Opposition leaders to "rethink, introspect, return to the House to take part in discussions".
Will Boycott Rajya Sabha Till MPs' Suspension Revoked: Opposition
The opposition will boycott the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha till the suspension of eight members is revoked, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad declared in the upper house today even as the suspended members continued their sit-in on the lawns of the parliament complex after spending the night there in protest, saying there were on an indefinite protest. They were suspended over the unprecedented chaos in the Rajya Sabha when controversial farm bills were passed on Sunday.
Read Here Is it not painful what happened in the Upper House? Is it a way to behave? If they express their regret, the government is not bent upon to run the business without them. We are ready to hold a discussion as we're on a strong footing: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.
The government should come to an understanding. Both the Opposition and the Government should sit together to help run the House. Democracy should work with cooperation: HD Deve Gowda, Former Prime Minister and Rajya Sabha MP.
I am not happy about the suspension of the members. The action has been taken on their conduct. We have nothing against any member: Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu.
Till our demands which include revocation of suspension of the 8 MPs and Govt to bring another bill under which no private player can purchase below MSP are not met, the Opposition will boycott the session: LoP & Congress Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Nabi Azad.
AAP's Sanjay Singh Responds To PM Modi's Tweet
The day after day in the Rajya Sabha has damaged parliamentary dignity. But I was told that ... despite all this ... Today the Deputy Chairman Shri Harivansh ji himself took morning tea for the MPs sitting on a dharna in the Parliament premises: M. Venkaiah Naidu
Minimum Support Price For Crops Raised Amid Row Over Farm Bills
A hike in Minimum Support Price of key winter crops was announced by the government on Monday evening amid the huge row by upset farmers, who have been worried that the new farm laws would affect the existing MSP system. The hike -- a month ahead of last year's schedule -- came after days of farmers' protests and assurances by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ministers that the MSP will not be scrapped. PM Modi called the hike a "another historic decision".
Read Here Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh to observe a one-day fast against the unruly behaviour with him in the House by Opposition MPs during the passing of agriculture Bills on September 20.
PM Modi Backs Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman, Insulted By Opposition: "To serve tea to those who attacked him shows his greatness"
No One From Government Has Come To Enquire About Us: Congress MP
No one from the government has come to enquire about us. Many Opposition leaders came to enquire about us and to show solidarity with us. We are going to continue this demonstration: Congress MP Ripun Bora.
WATCH | Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh brings tea for the Rajya Sabha MPs who are protesting at Parliament premises against their suspension from the House.
8 Suspended Rajya Sabha MPs Protest Overnight, Refuse Deputy Chairman's Tea
Eight opposition members of the Rajya Sabha, suspended on Monday over the chaos in the House when controversial farm bills were passed on Sunday, spent the night on the lawns of the parliament complex as they continued their protest. They had yesterday refused to leave the House, which was adjourned five times.
Read Here
Suspended MP Dola Sen's musical protest
"Cruel Joke On Farmers": Amarinder Singh On Centre's Rate Hike
Politicians and farm leaders of Punjab and Haryana have unanimously rejected the hike in Minimum Support Price (MSP) of rabi crops announced ahead of schedule by the centre amid a huge unrest over the proposed farm laws. The two states have seen the maximum resistance against what the Centre has billed as its big-ticket "historic" reform in the farm sector.
Read Here Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh meets the eight suspended Rajya Sabha MPs.
Congress, Other Opposition Parties Plan Nationwide Stir Over Farm Bills
Opposition parties and farmers' groups across the country, including the Congress and the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), have announced plans to vigorously protest the two controversial farm bills cleared by the Rajya Sabha on Sunday - amid pandemonium inside parliament and fierce agitations outside. The bills, which have already cleared the Lok Sabha (voice vote after an opposition walk out) now only need President Ram Nath Kovind's signature to become law.
8 Suspended Rajya Sabha Members Refuse To Leave, Protest Overnight
Eight opposition members of the Rajya Sabha were suspended on Monday for the rest of the session over the chaos in the House during Sunday's passing of the farm bills. However, the members, including Trinamool Congress's Derek O'Brien, Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay singh, Congress's Rajeev Satav and CPM's KK Ragesh, refused to leave.
Read Here