Parliament Monsoon Session HIGHLIGHTS: Delhi Services Bill Passes In Rajya Sabha With 131 Votes
Parliament Monsoon Session HIGHLIGHTS: Follow this live blog for the latest updates on the proceedings of Parliament's Monsoon Session.
Rajya Sabha passes the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023 by voice vote.
The National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 passes in Rajya Sabha with 131 votes.
Ayes- 131
Noes- 102
Rajya Sabha Chairman says the division of votes will take place through slips due to a technical fault in the automatic vote recording system.
Division of votes on Delhi services bill in underway in Rajya Sabha after the demand for the same by Opposition.
Opposition's motion to send Delhi services bill to select committee of House has been rejected by Rajya Sabha through voice vote.
Delhi services bill has not been brought to impose emergency or take away rights of people, says Amit Shah, adding Congress has no right to speak on democracy. "We have brought services bill to safeguard rights of people of Delhi," he adds.
Congress govt amended Constitution giving Parliament powers to frame laws for Delhi on all subjects, including services, says Amit Shah.
Congress opposing Delhi services bill only to appease Aam Aadmi Party, he adds.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah says the Delhi services bill does not violate the order of the Supreme Court as he replies to the discussion in Rajya Sabha over the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Union home minister Amit Shah responds to the discussion held in Rajya Sabha saying no modification will be done in the existing system of governance as it was in the Congress regime.
"The aim of the bill is to have a corruption-free governance, if somebody opposes it then I have no solution."
Rajya Sabha Chairman warns TMC MP Derek O'Brien of upsetting the decorum of the House during discussion on Delhi services bill.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attends Rajya Sabha proceedings as the House holds a discussion on Delhi services bill.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri tells Rajya Sabha that Delhi's existing drainage master plan, prepared in 1976, not adequate to deal with 'crisis situations.
Opposition MPs including Raghav Chadha, and Joh Brittas obect to BJP Anil Jain's allegation against Manish Sisodia in the floor of the House.
Sandosh Kumar P, Communist Party of India from Kerala in Rajya Sabha opposes the Delhi services bill.
MoS Civil Aviation Gen VK Singh (Retd) in a written reply in Rajya Sabha says Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has placed 166 passengers in the 'No fly list' from 2021 till date, wherein the unruly passenger is banned from taking flights to/from within India for a specific period.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar says that proceedings of the House will exceed after 8 pm as the Upper House holds a discussion on the Delhi services bill.
GK Vaasan representing Tamil Maanila Congress speaks in favour of the Bill.
GK Vaasan representing Tamil Maanila Congress speaks in favour of the Bill.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says, "You (BJP) have come up with a very dangerous bill and I am here to oppose it."
"Those who will support in favour of this bill will be betraying the country."
"This bill is a direct attack on India's federal structure and murder of democracy."
"People of Delhi have not voted for chief secretary or LG. CM or a politician asks for vote."
"You don't have even 5 MLAs in Delhi, that is why you want to capture the assemblies be it in Maharashtra, Bengal, or Tamil Nadu."
"You lost Delhi election, you will lose 2024 polls, INDIA will win."
Former Chief Justice of India and nominated member to Rajya Sabha, Ranjan Gogoi supports the Delhi services bill in his maiden speech on the floor of the House, saying, "the bill is perfectly, legitimately valid."
"What is pending before the Supreme Court is the validity of the ordinance, and the two questions referred to the Constitution bench, and that has nothing to do with what is being debated in the House..."
Over 3 lakh hectares of forest land diverted over last 15 years under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, Union Government tells Lok Sabha.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw tells Rajya Sabha that 2,48,895 vacancies in all zone of Railway in Group C Post while 2070 posts are vacant in Group A & B posts. A total of 1,28,349 candidates have been empanelled (upto 30.06.2023) to Group 'C' posts (excluding Level-1) against notifications. A total of 1,47,280 candidates have been empanelled (upto 30.06.2023) to Level-1 posts against notifications. Direct recruitment to Group 'A' Services on Indian Railways is mainly done by UPSC. Indent is placed on UPSC and DoPT.
Congress MP P Chidambaram takes a dig at BJD and YSRCP saying, "While I understand full thrust support by BJP, I do not understand half-hearted support by BJP and YSRCP, they know its unconstitutional."
They (BJP) will get "spectacular failure", he adds.
"What are we? Union of states or union of moth-eaten states and UTs?"
"Never did the present arrangement came in the working of Sheila Dikshit during her tenure as Delhi CM."
The Lok Sabha has paased The Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Biju Janata Dal MP Sasmit Patra says the party stands "equidistant from BJP and Congress" and supports the Delhi services bill.
AAP MP Raghav Chadha says:
Not speaking only on behalf of people of Delhi but on behalf of people of India
Came here to ask nothing more than justice.
The Bill is political betrayal, constitutional sin, and administrative logjam.
"Dont be Nehruvian, be an Advanivadi and grant full statehood to Delhi," says AAP MP to Union minister Amit Shah.
Abuse of ordinance making power.
Ordinance can be made during emergency situation, what emergency situation came up that you had to bring the ordinance just 8 days after the Supreme Court judgment.
They have challenged majesty of SC
Undermines principle of collective responsibility
Breaches triple chain of accountability
Officers wont listen to CM and ministers anymore.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha speaks in the Upper House of Parliament, calls the bill "political betrayal, constitutional sin, and administrative logjam."
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Sudhanshu Trivedi says: "In the Supreme Court verdict of 105 pages, nowhere it is mentioned anything against passing a law on Delhi,…In the Supreme Court order, in paragraphs 86, 95 and 164 F, it is mentioned that the Parliament has all the rights to form a law for Delhi."
The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 has been passed in Lok Sabha. The bill concerns processing of digital personal data within India where such data is collected online, or collected offline and is digitised.
"BJP's approach is to control by hook or crook…this bill is completely unconstitutional, it is fundamentally anti-democratic, and it is a front-term assault on the regional voice and aspirations of the people of Delhi. It violates all principles of federalism, all norms of civil service accountability and all models of assembly-based democracy," Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Delhi Service Bill, in Rajya Sabha
Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi, speaking on the Delhi Services Bill, said BJP's approach is to control by hook or crook. "This bill is completely unconstitutional, it is fundamentally anti-democratic, and it is a front-term assault on the regional voice and aspirations of the people of Delhi. It violates all principles of federalism, all norms of civil service accountability and all models of assembly-based democracy," he said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah moves the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in Rajya Sabha. "This bill is completely undemocratic," says Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is likely to start the discussion on the no-confidence motion, say sources.
(Input From Jainendra)
Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has written a letter to LS Speaker Om Birla regarding BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's comments in Lok Sabha today.
"We demand under Rule 380 that his remarks be expunged in full and that an inquiry be conducted into how such an allegation was permitted to be raised on the record, writes Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
Chowdhury referred to commend of Dubey against Congress and party MP Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi updates his Twitter bio, adds 'Member of Parliament' after reinstation of his Lok Sabha membership.
On restoration of Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership, BJP leader Sushil Modi says, "He (Rahul Gandhi) is still not 'blame free', only his conviction has been stayed. His appeal is still pending in court...This is a common procedure...The Supreme Court has also said that 'it was not in good taste'. The court has made such strong remarks about Rahul Gandhi...The restoration of membership will not affect the health of Congress."
"It's an auspicious moment for us that Rahul Gandhi's (Lok Sabha) membership has been reinstated, which was revoked based on a conspiracy," says Congress leader Imran Pratapgarhi.
"This is a temporary relief until the final hearing takes place. As a consequence of this interim order of the Supreme Court, Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership has been temporarily reinstated. If the Supreme Court upholds the conviction of the Gujarat HC, then naturally Rahul Gandhi's membership will stand cancelled another time," says BJP MP Tejasvi Surya.
"It's good that Rahul Gandhi is back to the Parliament. We are hopeful that he will work for making the country strong," says former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah on the reinstation of Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership.
Rahul Gandhi offers floral tribute at Mahatma Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex after the reinstation of his Lok Sabha membership.
.." Top court has stayed the conviction for few days but celebrating this verdict as his (Rahul Gandhi's) acquittal is unfortunate and an insult to democracy", says Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Lok Sabha Adjourned Till 2 PM Minutes After Resumption
Parliament Monsoon Session Live: Rahul Gandhi Reaches Parliament, Lok Sabha Proceedings Resume
Leaders of Congress and INDIA bloc are awaiting Rahul Gandhi who will be reaching Parliament anytime soon. The leaders will be welcoming him at Gate No. 1.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi leaves from 10 Janpath in Delhi. Lok Sabha Secretariat today restored his Lok Sabha membership after Supreme Court stayed his conviction in the ‘Modi’ surname remark case.
"Even if the (NCT) bill is passed, it will not survive in Supreme Court. I am surprised that the party (BJP) who advocated for full statehood for Delhi till 2015, is snatching away the powers (of an elected government)," says AAP MP Sanjay Singh as Delhi services Bill is likely to be tabled in Rajya Sabha today.
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson and Lok Sabha MP Sonia Gandhi arrives at the Parliament.
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 PM after a chaos erupted in House over discussion on Rajasthan and Manipur issue.
Opposition MLAs protest inside Rajya Sabha demanding discussion on Manipur issue.
Manipur is burning, says Congress MP KC Venugopal
Govt is ready but the opposition is running away from the discussion, we condemn it. I request you (Chairman) to have a discussion on the Rajasthan issue as well, Union Minister Piyush Goyal
Lok Sabha adjourned till noon.
Rajya Sabha adopts motion to allow Congress MP Rajani Patil to attend session.
Rahul Gandhi will reach Parliament today at 12 noon as the Lok Sabha secretariat has restored his status as an MP.
On Delhi Services Bill, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, says, "We are very clear that we will oppose it as it is anti-federalism, anti-constitutional and anti-democracy. Whoever will be supporting it should know that today it is happening in Delhi which is a Union Territory, tomorrow it will happen in your state. The BJP is centralising power so much that it will find some other loophole in the constitution tomorrow and do it in the states...I expect everybody to oppose this bill."
"The Bill is being presented (in the Parliament) illegally. It is against the Constitution and Supreme Court. AAP and the entire INDIA bloc are opposing it," says AAP MP Sushil Gupta on Delhi services Bill, which is likely to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha later today.
"The entire INDIA bloc will make all possible efforts to stop the Delhi Services Bill in Rajya Sabha today," says AAP MP Raghav Chadha.
In a big relief, the Lok Sabha secretariat on Monday reinstated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as MP days after SC stayed his conviction in Modi surname case.
Congress is likely to move to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, August 8, if Rahul Gandhi's membership is not restored by this evening.
(Input From Jainendra)
..."Once the Supreme Court has stayed the conviction then there is no problem for the Lok Sabha secretariat to issue a notification (to restore his membership). I think, today Speaker will intervene and it is going to happen", Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal on the restoration of Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari says, "Supreme Court has stayed the conviction of Rahul Gandhi... I am hopeful that as per the rules, Lok Sabha Speaker will restore Rahul Gandhi's membership today... We will oppose it (Delhi Services Bill)..."
On Delhi Services Bill, Uddhav Thackeray Faction MP Sanjay Raut says, "This bill is an attack on the federal structure of India. During the elections, they (BJP) had said that they will give statehood to Delhi but lost the election to Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal's govt is doing good work in various fields including education, health. They are jealous... We will oppose it in the Rajya Sabha."
"We didn't ask for a piece of Moon. (Rule) 267 is a provision which calls for discussion on a serious situation above all other businesses (in the Parliament). When we visited Manipur relief camps, people from both the communities urged for (discussion in the Parliament) under 267," says RJD MP Manoj Jha.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha gives Suspension of Business notice, demanding discussion on Manipur issue.
"This is an experimental bill that BJP is introducing, starting from Delhi...wherever there are non-BJP govts, they will introduce this bill and weaken the state govt. The parties which believe in Democracy will oppose this...", says AAP MP Sushil Gupta on Delhi Services Bill
On Delhi Services Bill, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak says, "This bill is being brought to stop Arvind Kejriwal from moving forward in politics. Congress party and other parties are supporting us. They (Central govt) are bringing this bill for their political interest. We will go among the public and expose the BJP..."
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal to move 'The Mediation Bill, 2023' in Lok Sabha today.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to move 'The Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2023' in Lok Sabha today.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh to move 'The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Bill, 2023' in Lok Sabha today.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is to move 'The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023' for consideration and passing in Lok Sabha today.
Background
Parliament Monsoon Session HIGHLIGHTS: Hello and welcome to the live blog on the Parliament's monsoon session.
The last week of Parliament's monsoon session begins on Monday with lawmakers having some key tasks at hand. The Parliament will be taking up discussion on the no-confidence motion that has been brought by the opposition parties against the ruling alliance over the Manipur issue. BJP has already issued a whip to its members to be present in the House from August 7-11, when the trust vote will be discussed.
Supreme Court's order staying Rahul Gandhi's conviction will also be taken up by the opposition leaders to reinstate him as an MP.
Centre also offered to discuss the issue of Manipur on August 11, which the opposition bloc rejected seeking early discussion on Tuesday. Notably, August 11 is the last day of the monsoon session of Parliament. The Delhi services bill will also be tabled in the Rajya Sabha for passage.
Last week, the Lok Sabah passed the Bill to replace the ordinance on Delhi services amid a walkout by the opposition leaders.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had taken up the matter in the Lok Sabha for discussion. Initiating the debate, Amit Shah said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was opposing the Delhi Services Bill as it wanted to hide its corruption and urged the other Opposition parties to think of people's welfare.
As the Opposition questioned the power of Parliament to make laws for the Delhi government, Amit Shah clarified that the Constitution, under Article 239AA, granted such powers.
"The problem with the Bill is not about control of transfer and postings of officers, but to hide the truth of the bungalow worth crores by gaining control over vigilance and to hide the truth about the corruption that has taken place," news agency PTI quoted the union minister as saying.
On the other hand, the Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday took a jibe at the YSR Congress Party after its Lok Sabha leader PV Midhun Reddy said that the party's support to the Centre's GNCTD (Amendment) Bill was subject to the condition that the Act is not replicated in other states.
"I request the government to take all stakeholders into consideration. I also have a request. This is a unique bill and I hope it is not replicated in other States. With these words, YSRCP supports this bill," Reddy said in Lok Sabha on Thursday.
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