Winter Session: Lok Sabha to debate electoral reforms on Dec 9, says Rijiju

Opposition's demand for discussion on SIR of electoral rolls ruled out; PM Modi to initiate Vande Mataram debate

The Lok Sabha will take up a debate on the 150th anniversary of National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ on December 8 and on electoral reforms on December 9, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said. 

 

The decision was taken after an all-party meeting and a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, signalling that the logjam prevailing in both Houses over the Opposition’s demand to discuss Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is likely to be broken.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will initiate the debate on 150 years of Vande Mataram.

 

Rijiju is learnt to have ruled out a discussion on SIR, contending that it was an administrative matter of the Election Commission and the government had no role in it. However, the minister was ready for a discussion on a broader subject of electoral reforms as it fell within the government’s purview.

 

 

In a separate development, the Supreme Court on Tuesday urged the Election Commission  to consider granting additional time for the submission of enumeration forms under SIR of electoral rolls in Kerala, citing the ongoing local body elections. 

Centre continues to work towards mitigating US tariff impact on exports 

 

The government on Tuesday said it was taking steps, such as announcing an export promotion mission, to mitigate the impact of the steep US tariffs on domestic goods. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said it is expected that these measures will enhance diversification and resilience in India’s trade relationships. 

6,385 recognised startups categorised as ‘closed’ as of Oct 31

 

As many as 6,385 recognised startups have been categorised as ‘closed’ as of October 31, according to the data from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Parliament was informed on Tuesday. Recognised startups are eligible for a number of incentives, such as income tax benefits under the Startup India initiative by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). 

Over 700 cough syrup-makers subjected to audit

 

Over 700 cough syrup manufacturers were subjected to intense audit and increased market surveillance sampling of syrup formulations was done by central and state drugs regulators in the wake of children deaths allegedly due to consumption of contaminated cough syrups, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Tuesday. 

Doctor-population ratio 1:811 in India, says Nadda

 

The doctor-population ratio in the country is 1:811, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said there were 13,88,185 registered allopathic doctors in the country and 7,51,768 registered practitioners in the AYUSH system of medicine.