Parliament Highlights: The Monsoon session is scheduled to conclude on October 1. (File)
The Parliament met for the second day during the ongoing monsoon session which started on Monday with unprecedented precautions against the coronavirus, including staggered sittings of both houses and social distancing between MPs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his traditional comments before the parliament session, delivered a strong message on the China border stand-off. A resolution for no Question Hour was also passed on Monday.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is addressing the parliament on the India-China border row, and has said that China does not "recognise the current boundary. We have been following the customary line that was agreed upon in the 1960s. But China does not agree to this now and says that both sides have different perspectives of this line."
The Monsoon session of the Parliament is scheduled to conclude on October 1 without any day off. Both the Houses of Parliament will sit for four hours daily while following precautionary measures against COVID-19.
Staggered seating, compulsory wearing of face masks, frequent hand sanitisation, a no-touch door opener and a new seating arrangement for social distancing - is being taken to ensure complete Covid safety even as many of the older MPs did not attend the first day of the session.
Here are the Highlights from the Parliament session:
Opposition members in Lok Sabha demand restoration of MPLADS fundsOpposition parties, including the Congress, in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday demanded restoration of Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) fund, even as they supported the government''s decision to cut salaries of MPs.
Participating in a discussion on the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2020, in the Lower House, members of the Congress, TMC, BJD, NCP, TRS, TDP and other parties pitched for restoration of the funds.
Under the MPLADS, each MP gets Rs 5 crore every year to carry out development works in their constituencies.
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the government had in April decided to suspend MPLADS funds for two years -- 2020-21 and 2021-22. The money would be transferred into the government''s consolidated fund.
Rajya Sabha chairman allows one minister to lay all papers together due to COVID restrictionsRajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday allowed the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to lay all the listed official papers and reports on behalf of other ministers to save time.
As per the usual practice, ministers lay official papers and statements listed against their names when the Chair calls them one after the other.
In view of just four working hours each day during the current monsoon session that is being held under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, Naidu allowed just one minister to lay all the papers.
"In view of the limited functional time available and special seating arrangements made for the current session, I have acceded to the request made by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs for laying by him all the papers listed under the heading ''Papers to be laid on the Table'' and statements by ministers related to Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committees," he said.
Watch: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury after Congress MPs staged walkout from Lok Sabha
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Congress MPs stage walkout from Lok Sabha demanding discussion on India-China border issue
"Violent Conduct Of Chinese Troops": 5 Big Quotes From Rajnath SinghDefence Minister Rajnath Singh today addressed parliament on the border tension with China. He said India is "very serious about issues of sovereignty" and the country is "prepared for all outcomes" to ensure that it is maintained. The government's statement comes amid repeated transgressions by Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Pangong Lake and several other areas since April. On June 15, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the line of duty - a first in more than four decades.
Read Rajnath Singh's Five Big Quotes Here Prepared for all outcomes: Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh says: "I met my Chinese counterpart in Moscow recently, and put forward our concerns, but made it absolutely clear that India is very serious about issues of sovereignty."
"A few days later, (external affairs minister) S Jaishakar met his counterpart in Moscow, and told him that if China respects the agreements signed and removes their buildup, then peace can return to the boundary between the two nations."
"However, I want to inform this House and through it the entire nation, that we are prepared for all outcomes to ensure India's sovereignty is maintained," he adds.
China unilaterally "violated" bilateral agreements: Rajnath Singh
Rajnath Singh says China has unilaterally violated the bilateral agreements signed in 1993 and 1996. "The 1993 and 1996 agreements have a commitment to respect the LAC, which China has violated."
He says "scale of involvement and friction point is different from earlier. We believe in peaceful resolution but are prepared for all eventualities."
"Multiple attempts" of transgression by Chinese PLA: Rajnath Singh
Rajnath Singh says since April, there has been a rise in China's buildup in eastern Ladakh region. "In May, there were multiple attempts of transgression by Chinese PLA which led to the stand-off in Galwan, Pangong, etc."
"These transgressions were stopped by Indian soldiers. Indian soldiers have shown patience and resolve when required and shown courage and valour when required," the Defence Minister adds.
He says Indian soldiers have even laid down their lives to ensure that Chinese designs are foiled. "They also sent a very strong message by imposing heavy casualties on the Chinese PLA."
In another attempt, China tried to change the status quo at Pangong Lake, but Indian soldiers acted timely and fast response to ensure that China was left unsuccessful in its attempts, the minister says.
India and China have different perceptions: Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says that India maintains that China is under the illegal occupation of Aksai Chin. Apart from this, Pakistan has illegally "sold" land in PoK to China, he adds.
"Both India and China have two different perceptions of the LAC and this has led to a face-off between both armies."
China doesn't recognise current boundary: Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says PM Modi visited Ladakh and told all the soldiers that the entire nation is behind them. "I too visited and assured them of support."
He says China does not recognise the current boundary. "We have been following the customary line that was agreed upon in the 1960s. But China does not agree to this now and says that both sides have different perspectives of this line."
"Talks are going on between both nations and we both agree that talks are important in maintaining peace and tranquility in the region," the minister tells the Parliament.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses the Lok Sabha on India-China stand-off.
The second day of Parliament proceedings in Lok Sabha will begin at 3 pm today. Cuts in the salary allowances of MPs and other important matters to be taken up for discussion in the House.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 9 am tomorrow
Battle against COVID-19 far from over: Health Minister
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in the Rajya Sabha said that the COVID-19 death and recovery rates stand at 1.67 per cent and 77.65 per cent respectively, at present.
He said India has been able to limit its cases and death per million to 3,320 cases per million and 55 deaths per million which is one of the lowest in the world.
"Lockdown prevented approximately 14 lakh to 29 lakh cases and 37,000 to 78,000 deaths. These four months were utilised to created additional health infrastructure, enhance human resource and produce within Indian critical elements such as PPE kits, N95 masks and ventilators," he added.
"I want to remind the members that battle against COVID-19 is far from over. I wish to inform the house that government is taking all necessary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in India."
Rajya Sabha passes Aircraft (Amendment) Bill
The Parliament has passed a bill which seeks to improve India's aviation safety ratings and provide statutory status to regulatory institutions, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 also provides for keeping aircraft belonging to the country's armed forces outside the purview of the Aircraft Act, 1934.
The Bill also proposes to increase the fine amount for violations of new rules from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore.
"This is the largest repatriation process at anytime in history," Hardeep Singh Puri says on Vande Bharat Mission
Parliament Monsoon Session Updates: Around 1.6 Million Indians Stranded Abroad Brought Back To India- Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri
Around 1.6 million Indians stranded abroad have been brought back To India amid pandemic under the Vande Bharat Mission, says Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in Rajya Sabha
Parliament Monsoon Session: Rajya Sabha to take up 'The Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Amendment) Bill, 2020 Today - The government will today move the Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Amendment) Bill, 2020 to amend the Salaries and Allowances of Ministers Act, 1952,
- The Bill will replace the ordinance which reduced the allowances of Ministers by 30 per cent for a period of one year, effective from April 1, 2020.
- The Salaries and Allowances of Ministers Act, 1952 regulates the salaries and other allowances of Ministers (including the Prime Minister).
- The Act provides for the payment of a monthly sumptuary allowance (for expenditure incurred in entertaining visitors) at different rates to the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers
Mumbai and Delhi airports, privatised in 2006, account of 33 per cent of our traffic and earnings: Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in Rajya Sabha
"We should look at the issue of privatisation in a historical context. After privatisation of Mumbai and Delhi airports, the Airports Authority received a huge amount of money that helped develop infrastructure of other airports": Hardeep Singh Puri in Rajya Sabha.
India has recruited over 1,000 Air Traffic controllers in 3 years: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in Rajya Sabha.
"Chennai is one of the major metropolitan cities but it doesn't have an international airport like that of Delhi or Hyderabad. I request the government let Chennai airport be developed to international standards," DMK MP P Wilson said in Rajya Sabha this morning, news agency ANI reported.
Monsoon Session Of Parliament: Samajwadi Party Leader Ram Gopal Yadav Seeks Compensation For Migrants
Jaya Bachchan gives Zero Hour notice over "alleged conspiracy to defame film industry"
Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan has given Zero Hour notice in the Rajya Sabha over "alleged conspiracy to defame film industry."
"Entertainment industry is so important. But so many people who have made a name from this industry are today calling it a gutter. The industry is being vilified on social media. Some of the people in the industry are among the highest taxpayers of the country. The government must stand by the entertainment industry," Ms Bacchan said.
"Just because of a few people you cannot tarnish the whole industry. I was ashamed yesterday that one of the members in the Lok abha who is from the industry itself spoke ill of the industry," she added.
Zero Hour notices in Rajya Sabha
Meanwhile, DMK MP Tiruchi Siva has given Zero Hour notice in the Rajya Sabha over 'adverse impact of holding NEET exams, leading to suicides by students'.
Congress MP Rajeev Satav has given Zero Hour notice over "drawing attention of central government on reservation of Maratha community."
Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan has given Zero Hour notice in the Rajya Sabha over "alleged conspiracy to defame film industry."
No Question Hour this Monsoon Session
Instead of the Question Hour, only written questions and answers will be allowed, which has hugely upset the opposition. "Question Hour is the golden hour but you say that it can't be held due to the circumstances. You conduct the proceedings but single out Question Hour. You are trying to strangulate the democracy," Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said on Monday in Lok Sabha.
Parliament to function for four hours
There will be four-hour sittings and parliament will function seven days a week. The Rajya Sabha will function from 9 AM to 1 PM, the Lok Sabha for 3 PM to 7 PM. Only on the first day, the Lok Sabha is meeting in the morning session.