Attacking the government over the coronavirus crisis during a discussion in parliament, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien today mocked the PM-CARES fund as "PM's Couldn't-Care-Less fund" and said the centre "needs humility" to work with states.
"This government needs humility to work with states to fight Covid-19," the Trinamool member said in the Rajya Sabha, during a four-hour discussion. Mr O'Brien said the government had announced a 21-day lockdown with just four-hour notice and "no preparation". He also alleged that the centre did not take state governments into confidence while making decisions on the pandemic.
On the third day of the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Anand Sharma has given a short duration discussion notice in Rajya Sabha over ''the incursion of the Chinese army across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and military standoff between the armies of the two countries on the LAC''.
The monsoon session of the Parliament began on September 14, under the shadow of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are the highlights from the Parliament session:
Congress members on Wednesday raised in both Houses of Parliament the alleged tracking of over 10,000 prominent Indian individuals and organisations by a Chinese technology company and asked the government to build an "impregnable firewall" to deal with the "digital aggression" by the neighbouring country, reported news agency PTI. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu asked the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs to inform the minister concerned to "see what can be done and find out the veracity also", after Congress members, KC Venugopal and Rajiv Satav, expressed concern over a media report in this regard during the Zero Hour. Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said China has been behind the spread of coronavirus, physical aggression in Ladakh and now "digital aggression". "We are in the clutches of China. Is the government not aware of it?... Our national security is being shattered," Mr Chowdhury said while raising the issue during the question hour in Lok Sabha. He requested IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to build an "impregnable firewall to resist the new menace". His party colleague Suresh Kodikunnil too raised the issue.
Over 18.6 lakh public grievances were received during the last year and more than 16 lakh of them were redressed, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI. 15,86,415 such grievances were received in 2018 as against 18,66,124 in 2017, according to the data shared by Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh in a written reply. Of these, 14,98,519 and 17,73,020 grievances were redressed in 2018 and 2017 respectively, he said. In 2019, a total of 18,67,758 public grievances were received and 16,39,120 were redressed, the minister said.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 9 am tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/cPoABUGXyd
- ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2020
Yesterday, the health minister said that this decision (lockdown) prevented approximately 14 to 29 lakh COVID-19 cases & 37,000-78,000 deaths. The house must be informed what is the scientific basis on which we've reached this conclusion: Congress MP Anand Sharma in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/BDP9ime8qk
- ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2020
Rajya Sabha passes the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill, 2020. pic.twitter.com/CVOS6Cfiqo
- ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2020
Siddha is also a very important medicine system. I request the (health) minister to consider giving the status of national importance to National Institute of Siddha in Tamil Nadu: AIADMK MP M Thambidurai in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/6S45Hx7LYz
- ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2020
Rajya Sabha takes up 'Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill 2020' for discussion #RajyaSabha#MonsoonSession2020 pic.twitter.com/OWwVj6Jj4R
- Prasar Bharati News Services (@PBNS_India) September 16, 2020
As per a media report, a Shenzhen based tech company with links to Chinese govt is tracking over 10,000 Indians in its global database of foreign targets. I want to know from the govt if it has taken note of it. If so, what actions have been taken?: Congress MP KC Venugopal in RS pic.twitter.com/cZa7R08Idp
- ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2020
Delhi: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri & Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi arrive at the Parliament, as proceedings of the Rajya Sabha begin on third day of #MonsoonSession. pic.twitter.com/yThiNJalhV
- ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2020
Day 3 of #MonsoonSession2020
- Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) September 16, 2020
Presenting episode 5 of our #New series #InsideParliament
My prediction. Govt will condescend to discuss #Covid_19 today in Rajya Sabha for about 2 hours. And then Oppn will be told, now go- that's more than enough. pic.twitter.com/tbYL7cDXA6
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has given Zero Hour notice in Rajya Sabha over 'proposed privatisation of JNPT
- ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2020
(Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust) ports and concern over national security.' pic.twitter.com/HqltRyCtH0
