The Lok Sabha will take up The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2021 and The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021 today.

On Thursday, The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha undertook discussion on various issues, including queries around roads and infrastructure, the new vehicle scrappage policy, and the Modi govt’s record in dealing with dissent. The Rajya Sabha passed the Insurance Amendment Bill 2021 that increases the maximum foreign investment allowed in an insurance company from 49% to 74%, amid criticism from the Opposition parties on the clause enabling “control and ownership” by foreign investors.

The first part of the Budget Session of Parliament, which commenced with the address of President Ram Nath Kovind on January 29, concluded on February 29. The second part of the Budget Session began March 7.

Here are the latest updates:

Lok Sabha | 11.30 am

 

Rajya Sabha | 11.30 am

Bhupender Yadav of BJP says, “Article 21 of the Constitution says no person should be deprived of personal liberty. Telegraph Act says phones cannot be tapped illegally. I want to raise the Rajasthan issue, where the phones of Ministers and BJP leaders were tapped.”

Chairman Naidu asks him not to blame anyone.

Mr. Yadav continues, “citizens phones are being tapped”.

The Chairman says any mention about any State government will not go on record.

[11:24 AM, 3/19/2021] +91 98714 90209: Yadav says : 6 crore people of Rajasthan, the people, the disgruntled leaders of Congress, their rights were violated.

Thumping of desks by the Treasury benches.

Mr. Yadav demands protection to such people.

No allegation against any government, State or Central, or party will go on record, Mr. Naidu says.

“Mr. Yadav was also mentioning an incident. Don’t show allegations and counter allegations on TV, don’t strain yourself,” the Chairman says.

Mamata Mohanta of BJD speaks in Odiya.

Lok Sabha | 11.20 am

YSRCP MP P.V. Midhun Reddy asks if the government has a mechanism to control forest fires and flash floods.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar says the government has very good mechanism that can send out a message. He cites the examples of controlling the fire in Manipur Nagaland border, Assam and Nagaland. “Even in Simplipal, it was contained early,” he says.

Mr. Reddy asks about carbon emissions to which the Minister replies that India is way below other countries like China.

Ajay Kumar Misra Teni of BJP asks the government’s plans on afforestation and whether help is being taken from different agencies. Mr. Javadekar responds that the Ministry is always working with different agencies.

Riteish Pandey of Bahujan Samaj Party asks about the lack of funds in fighting climate change.

Mr. Javadekar asserts that there is no shortage of funds. “The issue is not of funds but the general challenge of climate change,” he says.

Rajeev Pratap Rudy asks a question on air pollution. He says, “I am worried about people like Prakash Javadekar, Meenakshi Lekhi or Rajnath Singh as air quality in India is hazardous.”

Mr. Rudy asks the government for creative solutions to tackle the problem of air pollution, “that claim more lives than COVID-19”.

Since he speaks for a considerable time, Meenakshi Lekhi, who is on the chair, asks him to ask a question.

Rajya Sabha | 11.20 am

Zero Hour begins in the Upper House

Om Prakash Mathur of the BJP speaks about a dam built in 1957 in Rajasthan.

Rajeev Satav, of the Congress asks, “When government can conduct animal and tree Census, why not conduct Census of OBCs?”

GVL Narasimha Rao of the BJP says that 56 containers of chilli is stuck at the Colombo port.

Sujeet Kumar of BJD speaks about cancer affecting 6 lakh people annually. “It disproportionately affects lower income groups. There is an urgent need to lower the price of cancer saving drugs,” he says.

Seema Dwivedi of the BJP says many students and teachers affected due to COVID-19.

Lok Sabha | 11 am

Question Hour begins in the Lok Sabha.

B. Mahtab of Biju Janata Dal asks a question about duty imposed on Cotton and its impacts on farmers.

Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani informs the House about the steps taken by the government to help cotton farmers in terms of minimum support price and other measures. Specifically with regard to duty, she says the matter has been forwarded to the Finance Ministry after taking feedback from stakeholders.

Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla talks about how the textile industry mmoved out of Punjab after 1984 and the steps taken to revive it. Ms. Irani responds that textile industry didn’t get the support it needed in the 10 years of the UPA.

Rajeev Ranjan Singh (Lalan) of JD-U asks about the promotion of Bhagalpur silk. Ms. Irani lists the steps taken by the Centre along with the Handloom and Handicraft departments, and the State governments.

Rajya Sabha | 11 am

Rajya Sabha proceedings begin.

Parliamentary Standing Committee report on ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Energy, Food and Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Water Resources tabled in the House.

Minister V. Muraleedharan reads out the list of business for the next week. Working of various ministries will be discussed, demands for grants 2021-22 will be taken up, and there will be a discussion on the budget of Union Territory of J&K and Puducherry, 2020-21.

National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 will also to be discussed.

Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu appeals to all the Members to be extra careful due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases. “Be careful while interacting with people,” he says.

Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha will have the following discussions:

Discussion on the working of the Ministry of Tourism

Discussion on the working of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries

Discussion on the working of the ministries of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development

Discussion on the working of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Lok Sabha

Legislative Business

Consideration of Rajya Sabha Amendments

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020

Bills for consideration and passing

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2021

The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021