The ongoing monsoon session of Lok Sabha will be curtailed by several days, the government decided on Saturday after consulting the opposition at the Business Advisory Committee meeting this evening. The Parliament met for the first time in six months on September 14 and was to function until October 1.
The centre is concerned for the safety of MPs after three of them tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this week, days after their mandatory test reports turned out negative.
A final decision will be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs. The Lok Sabha has so far passed three Bills to replace agriculture sector related ordinances.
Also, both the Houses have cleared a bill to replace an ordinance for cutting by 30 per cent the salaries of MPs to ramp up funds in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier in the day, the Rajya Sabha passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020, whereby fresh insolvency proceedings will not be initiated for at least six months starting from March 25 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Replying to a debate on the Bill in the House, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the intention of the IBC is to keep companies a "going concern" and not liquidate them.
The Bill mandates that a default on repayments from March 25, the day when a nationwide lockdown began to curb the spread of coronavirus, would not be considered for initiating insolvency proceedings for at least six months.
The bill seeks to replace an ordinance promulgated in this regard in June.
Here are the Highlights from the Parliament Monsoon Session 2020:
PM-CARES Fund is a public charitable trust so it was suggested that CAG audit is not required. But, if those who are demanding CAG audit for this trust, are they ready for audit of all the trusts being managed by one family?: Union Minister Anurag Thakur in Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/AMCBHrEoMu
- ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2020
The Taxation and other Laws (Relaxation & Amendment of Certain Provisions) Bill, 2020 corners the public funds for PM-CARES to the direct detriment of state relief funds: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra in Lok Sabha. https://t.co/1RJITfICpx pic.twitter.com/F9aJhUIXwD
- ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2020
No progress is taking place in Jammu & Kashmir. People there do not have access to 4G facility, how are they going to grow in the present time when the rest of the country has access to every facility on the internet: Farooq Abdullah, National Conference MP in Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/4GBCWjVPCC
- ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2020
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 9 am tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/zO6JSxlWMT
- ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2020
You thought of healthcare workers now? Bengal has Medicare Service Prevention of Violence&Damage to Property Act2009. What happens to it? Bill is an attempt to encroach states' constitutionally assigned functioning: Derek O'Brien during Epidemic Diseases Amendment Bill discussion pic.twitter.com/f0KyMSgzQE
- ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2020
Rajya Sabha passes the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill 2020 pic.twitter.com/tmoMeB65wN
- ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2020
Dear Fellow Congress-people,
- Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) September 19, 2020
One must oppose PM Modi whenever justified; that's par for the course. But let's not make it a mindless obsession.
On #APMC, there is a simple test: Does not APMC abolition end monopoly/cartels & so boost farmer's income?
If YES, back the bills.
Amritsar: Farmers hold a protest demonstration against the Centre over recent agriculture ordinances#Punjab pic.twitter.com/XDG6Y5CB21
- ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2020
Rajya Sabha: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moves Bill for amendment of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 pic.twitter.com/koy5gBlIk3
- ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2020
There are 24 lakh Tuberculosis patients in India. Due to the focus on fighting COVID19, the fight against TB has slowed down. Govt should intensify the tracking system and pay more attention to treating TB patients: Rajya Sabha MP KJ Alphons pic.twitter.com/kMkqeGbc56
- ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2020