PM Modi and Sharad Pawar will meet in parliament in the afternoon. (File)
As the winter session of parliament enters the third day today, one of the key issues to feature in list of business in the Lok Sabha is a statement regarding the status of implementation of the recommendations or observations contained in the 50 Report of the Standing Committee besides matters related to ponzi scheme that has seen lakhs of people lose their hard earned money.
The Congress has called a meeting of its Lok Sabha members today to discuss Parliament strategy. The meeting will be presided by Congress Parliamentary Party chairman Sonia Gandhi. Congress wants to corner the government on issues concerning public, economic slowdown, farmers' distress and unemployment.
Home Minister Amit Shah talked about Jammu and Kashmir situation and Assam NRC issue in the Rajya Sabha today.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi today to discuss farmers' crisis in Maharashtra amid intense political activity to form a government after no party won a majority in last month's election. The two leaders will meet in parliament in the afternoon.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will table papers in the Rajya Sabha related to Maharashtra, which has been waiting for its government formation ever since its October Assembly election. Besides the Surrogacy Bill and Transgender Protection Bill will also come up for consideration.
Here are the LIVE updates of the winter session of Parliament:
Meeting between NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi ends.
Sharad Pawar, PM Modi Meet In Parliament
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar is meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi today to discuss the farm crisis in Maharashtra, causing a buzz in the middle of intense political activity to form a government in the state after a week of President's Rule.
Amit Shah Talks On NRC In Rajya Sabha
The home minister says that Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jain, Christians, Parsi refugees should get citizenship, that is why Citizenship Amendment Bill is needed so that these refugees who are being discriminated on basis of religion in Pakistan, Bangladesh or Afghanistan, get Indian citizenship.
"The NRC has no such provision which says that no other religion will be taken under NRC. All citizens of India irrespective of religion will figure in the NRC list. The NRC is different from Citizenship Amendment Bill," Amit Shah adds.
The process of National Register of Citizens (NRC) will be carried out across the country, he says. "No one, irrespective of religion should be worried, it is just a process to get everyone under the NRC."
Amit Shah Replies In Rajya Sabha On Jammu And Kashmir
The home minister says: "Thousands of schools have already opened either partially or fully. TV networks and TV channels are working just as it is everywhere else, Newspapers are printed and distributed just as they used to."
Amit Shah On Security Situation In J&K
Not a single person has died in police firing since August 5 in Jammu and Kashmir, says Amit Shah.
"I want to clarify to the entire House that the situation on ground has returned to normalcy. Daily life in J&K is back to its usual way. Transportation is back to normal. All forms of transport are working as they used to. All landlines and postpaid mobiles have started," he says.
No Problems In Health Facilities In Jammu And Kashmir: Amit Shah
"Sufficient amount of medicines are available in all hospitals in the state. Mobile vans to supply medicines have also been launched in Jammu and Kashmir. There are no problems anywhere," says home minister Amit Shah.
Constantly Assessing Situation In J&K: Amit Shah
Home Minister Amit Shah says: "The decision on internet connectivity can be taken only after taking all security parameters into account. We all know how neighbouring countries play a factor, this decision can only be taken after scrutinizing all possible areas of risk."
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad spoke about the internet being stopped in J&K, "and I acknowledge that it is a valid question, but let me begin by reminding that in 2003, it was the BJP-led NDA government which introduced mobile phones in J&K," says Amit Shah. "If you remember, back then even the internet had been delayed in the state."
"Internet is a crucial part of our daily lives and is very important, and we are constantly assessing the situation, and I want to assure Parliament that at the earliest possible time, we will restore internet services."
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad had highlighted the plight of those in the Valley. "Schools and colleges have been opened, but there is negligible attendance. There is no provision to ensure students are able to commute from school to their homes safely."
He said that threat from Pakistan has always been there but how long can the lockdown continue in the Valley. "There has been a threat from Pakistan for several years, there is nothing new... How will students continue their education without integral internet services?"
Congress Meets To Discuss Parliament Strategy
A meeting of Congress Lok Sabha MPs, to discuss Parliament strategy, is underway at the Congress parliamentary party office in Parliament, according to news agency ANI. Party interim president Sonia Gandhi is chairing the meeting.
No Compensation Given To Arunachal People: BJP Leader
In Lok Sabha, BJP leader Tapir Gao says: I had requested the former Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and present Defence Minister Rajnath Singh too to provide compensation to the people of Arunachal Pradesh for the land of the locals that has been acquired by the army. But no compensation has been given till now.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says: "I can commit myself that I had gone there, sat with the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh and cleared many of the compensations which was due for the people of Arunachal Pradesh."
Bills In Parliament Today:
LOK SABHA
The Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2018
The National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill, 2019
RAJYA SABHA
The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019
Nothing Political About Gandhis' SPG Cover Being Withdrawn: JP Nadda
BJP leader JP Nadda in Rajya Sabha says: "There is nothing political... security has not been withdrawn. Home Ministry has a very set pattern and there is a protocol. It is not done by a politician, it is done by Home Ministry and according to threat perception the security is given and withdrawn."
Congress MP Anand Sharma had raised the issue of withdrawal of SPG cover to party leaders Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in Rajya Sabha.
He said: "We urge government that issues of security of our leaders have to be beyond partisan political considerations."