Parliament Winter Session HIGHLIGHTS: No Proposal Under Consideration To Ban Opinion Polls, Says Center
Parliament Winter Session HIGHLIGHTS: Follow this page for all the latest updates and Breaking News pertaining to the Winter Session of Parliament.
New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) There is no proposal under consideration of the government to ban opinion polls, Lok Sabha was informed on Friday amid calls from some quarters for banning the exercise after the announcement of elections.
Responding to a question on whether the government is considering imposing a ban on opinion and exit polls after the announcement of elections and implementation of the model code of conduct, till the result is announced, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "No such proposal as regards ban on opinion poll is under consideration." The Election Commission had demanded a ban on the publication and broadcast of opinion polls between the announcement of the election schedule and the final phase of polling.
The existing law allows EC to ban them just 48 hours prior to voting.
In his written response, Rijiju said in order to have free and fair elections in the country, there exists a restriction on the conduct of any exit poll, and publishing or publicise by any means, the result of any exit poll during the period starting from the commencement of polls till half an hour after the closing of the poll in all the states and union territories.
New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday accused the Congress of indulging in politics of lies on the issue of farmers and adopting double standards on farm laws.
While replying to Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda's question on the promised minimum support of price for farmers after their agitation last year, Tomar said in the Rajya Sabha that a committee has been formed to consider the proposal.
"The committee is considering it (MSP). The farmers' representative in that committee is a representatives of farmers' union. Tarnishing farmers' union is utterly wrong," Tomar said.
The Congress member claimed that the secretary, who made the now-repealed farm laws, is now working with a multinational company and questioned his intent in framing the laws.
Tomar said, "The Congress has always indulged in politics of lies... During the farmer's agitation, the Congress adopted double standards. The laws that Congress use to talk about while being in power, we created those laws".
The minister's remark triggered protests from Congress members.
Hooda demanded that certain remarks of Tomar be expunged following which deputy chairman Harivansh said the record will be examined.
Thousands of farmers, particularly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, had protested at the borders of the national capital for over a year, demanding the repeal of the three farm laws. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced repealing the three laws in November last year.
The Congress' unit for farmers has accused the BJP-led central government of not cooperating with the farmers and reneging on its promises.
NCP member Praful Patel said the cost of agriculture produce in the Vidarbha region is higher because of dependency on rain and urged that an estimate be prepared to address the difference in the cost of agriculture produce under MSP.
Tomar said MSP is same for the entire country and the process to determine is fixed.
He said the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices declares the MSP after consultation with states.
The minister said it is true that the cost of production varies from state to state because of difference in the environment.
He said that Swaminathan Commission submitted a recommendation in 2006 which also included suggestion of adding 50 per cent profit on the cost of production to declare MSP.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted this recommendation. At present, MSP is declared after adding 50 per cent profit on the cost," Tomar said.
He said the procurement of wheat has increased from 281 lakh metric ton in 2014-15 to 433 lakh MT now.
"At that time Rs 1.06 lakh crore was spent on procurement, now Rs 2.75 lakh crore in spent on procurement and farmers are getting its benefit," Tomar said.
Both the Houses have been adjourned for a break. Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 2:20 PM while the upper house has been adjourned till 2:30 PM.
Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned till 12 noon after Congress MPs trooped into the well of the House demanding a debate on the border situation with China, reported PTI.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has again raised the Tawang issue in the Rajya Sabha.
Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala has given Suspension of Business Notice in Rajya Sabha to discuss the border situation with China. He has also asked the Chairman to ask the Prime Minister and the Government to make a statement on the issue.
AAP MP Raghav Chadha has given the notice to discuss the amendments in laws to ensure stringent punishment for culprits in sacrilege incidents.
Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan gives Suspension of Business Notice to discuss the issue of unemployment in the country.
Congress MP Manish Tewari gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the border situation with China.
Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar requesting him to suspend House's business and discuss women's safety as the nation observes the 10th anniversary of the Nirbhaya gang rape.
Background
Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Hello and welcome to ABP Live. Follow ABP Live's blog to get the latest developments, breaking news, and latest updates pertaining to the Winter Session of Parliament.
In the Winter Session of Parliament on Thursday, three bills were scheduled for consideration and passing in Lok Sabha. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022 -The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022 -The Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019 were slated to be tabled in the House for discussion.
Meanwhile, Congress-led Opposition staged a walkout from Lok Sabha after they were not satisfied with the response by Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on the petrol price hike.
The Rajya Sabha was also adjourned for 15 minutes after an uproar on Bihar hooch deaths by treasury benches and some other issues raised by the Opposition.
The number of MBBS seats has increased by 87 per cent and that of PG by 105 per cent in the last eight years, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Thursday.
While interacting with reporters outside Parliament, Mandaviya emphasised that since 2014, several steps have been taken to ease access to quality education in the country for the younger generation.
The number of MBBS seats has increased by 87 per cent and that of PG by 105 per cent in the last eight years, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Thursday.
While interacting with reporters outside Parliament, Mandaviya emphasised that since 2014, several steps have been taken to ease access to quality education in the country for the younger generation.
The government has spent a total of Rs 3,723.38 crore on the advertisement for its policies and programmes over the past five years through the Central Bureau of Communication, Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.
In a written reply, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the expenditure on advertisements and publicity has not increased over the past five years.
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