Page 6 - Lok Sabha

Energy security among top priorities amid global tensions, says govt

The government considers energy security to be among its "top priorities" and has taken all necessary steps to ensure access to affordable energy for people, Lok Sabha was informed on Friday. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in a written response to a query also said the government pursues a "multi-pronged strategy" that includes diversifying supply sources, enhancing domestic production of oil and gas, expanding the adoption of alternate energy sources and advancing the energy transition. He was asked details of the steps taken by the government to safeguard the country's strategic and energy interests amid global tension, and also whether the government has raised concerns with countries like the US regarding the "impact of sanctions" on India's petroleum imports from Russia and Iran. Last week, US President Donald Trump had announced 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on India that came into effect from August 7. The US president on Wednesday also signed an executive order ...

FM Sitharaman withdraws Income Tax Bill, revised draft to be tabled Aug 11

Finance minister will submit a revised version of the I-T Bill, incorporating most of the Select Committee's recommendations

INDIA bloc to protest at Parliament against Bihar electoral roll revision

On August 1, Rijiju said the govt was ready to hold discussions on any issue under the rules, but the SIR could not be debated as it is carried out by a constitutional body--the Election Commission

LS passes Merchant Shipping Bill; 2nd to be passed in Monsoon session

A bill to expand the eligibility criteria for ownership of merchant shipping vessels and provide for investigation and enquiries on marine casualties was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, after a brief discussion as the Opposition continued with its protests seeking discussion on poll roll revision in Bihar. As soon as the Bill was passed, the House proceedings were adjourned for the day amid noisy protests by the Opposition members. Union Minister Sarbnanda Sonowal made opening remarks following which two BJP members Captain Brijesh Chowta and Mukeshkumar Chandrakant Dalal spoke on the Bill, amid sloganeering by the Opposition over the Bihar poll roll issue. The Bill was later passed by a voice vote. This is the second Bill to be passed by the Lok Sabha in the ongoing Monsoon session, which has seen repeated disruptions by the Opposition on various issues. The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed 'The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the

Lok Sabha passes bill for ST quota in Goa assembly amid opposition uproar

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed a bill to provide reservation to Scheduled Tribes in the Goa assembly, even as opposition protests demanding a discussion on the revision of Bihar electoral rolls continued unabated. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved 'The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2025' for consideration and passage amid din in the House. The legislation was passed by a voice vote. Meghwal said over the previous sessions, some amount of discussion on the draft law has already taken place. After his opening remarks outlining the features of the bill, it was passed without further discussion. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Monday that the government will be compelled to push for Parliament's approval for its legislative agenda if the Opposition continues to obstruct its smooth functioning with protests. Incidentally, the bill was introduced in the Lower House on this day in 2024 and ha

Over 1,600 km roads built in Ladakh since UT status in 2019: Govt in LS

Around 1,670 kilometres of additional roads have been constructed or blacktopped in Ladakh since it was granted Union Territory status in 2019, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said that the Union Territory of Ladakh is now well equipped with snow-clearance machinery to ensure road connectivity during heavy snowfall. Helipads have also been constructed at various locations to improve overall connectivity. Rai said there has been a significant improvement in road infrastructure in Ladakh following its reorganisation. "As per information provided by the UT of Ladakh, under various schemes of the Central Governmentincluding the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), and UT-administered schemesapproximately 1,670 kilometres of additional roads have been constructed, blacktopped, or metalled since the formation of the Union Territory in 2019," he said. The Minister adde

Highlights: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha adjourn proceedings for the day

Today's highlights: Catch all the news developments here

INDIA bloc leaders to meet, stage protest over voter list revision in Bihar

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have witnessed repeated adjournments over the opposition's insistence on a demand for discussion on the SIR in poll-bound Bihar

SC questions Rahul Gandhi's 2,000 sq km China claim in defamation case

'Say it in Parliament, not social media': Supreme Court rebukes Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 2022 statements in defamation case

Abhishek Banerjee named TMC leader in Lok Sabha, replaces Bandopadhyay

The TMC on Monday named its national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee as its leader in the Lok Sabha, according to party sources. Banerjee, a three-time MP from Diamond Harbour, will replace veteran lawmaker from Kolkata Uttar Sudip Bandopadhyay, they said. Bandopadhyay was relieved of the responsibility because of his poor health, they added. The decision was taken at a virtual meeting of TMC MPs, chaired by party chief Mamata Banerjee. Party lawmakers from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were present in the meeting, sources said. Banerjee is the nephew of the West Bengal chief minister. The TMC, which has 29 seats in the Lok Sabha, is a key constituent of the opposition INDIA bloc.

Lok Sabha MP Sudha R's gold chain snatched in Delhi's Chanakyapuri

Sudha Ramakrishnan, a Lok Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu, said the blatant attack on a woman, in a high-security zone like Chanakyapuri was highly shocking

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm due to Oppn protests over SIR discussion

The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm on Monday due to noisy protests by opposition parties demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise carried out by the Election Commission in Bihar and other issues. When the House met at 11 am, opposition MPs, including Congress, were on their feet, raising slogans and holding up placards. The opposition is demanding a discussion on the SIR exercise initiated by the Election Commission in Bihar ahead of Assembly elections in the state. Speaker Om Birla said he has been trying every day to run the House smoothly but protesting members are systematically disrupting proceedings of the House. "You have been elected by lakhs of people to represent their hopes and aspirations and raise their issues. But you are not interested in allowing the House to function smoothly. You are lowering the dignity of the House by systematically obstructing the proceedings and by showing placards," he said. If the members have any issue th

Mansukh Mandaviya to move National Sports Governance Bill in Lok Sabha

The proceedings in the Lok Sabha will begin with the Question Hour, followed by the List of Papers to be tabled by Union Ministers

VP election to be held on September 9, with nominations due by August 21

The Election Commission announces the Vice Presidential election for September 9, with the last date for filing nominations set for August 21. The result will be declared the same day

Over 790 mn ABHA accounts created, 650 mn health records linked: Centre

As of July 28, 2025, a total of 79.71 crore accounts for the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) have been created, and around 65.09 crore health records have been linked to it, Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav told the Lok Sabha on Friday. In a written reply, he stated that around 4.17 lakh health facilities have been registered in the Health Facility Registry (HFR), and approximately 6.76 lakh healthcare professionals are registered on it. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has been launched with an aim to create an online platform enabling the interoperability of health data within the health ecosystem to form a longitudinal electronic health record of every citizen, Jadhav said. He clarified that details regarding whether health facilities are located in urban or rural areas are not captured during the registration process of the HFR. Currently, there are 3,20,973 healthcare facilities equipped with ABDM-enabled software, and the number of districts hostin

Opposition MPs write to Om Birla, seek special discussion on Bihar's SIR

Leaders of several Opposition parties, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, on Friday wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging him to schedule a special discussion on the ongoing voter list revision in Bihar without any further delay. In their letter to Birla, the Opposition MPs expressed deep concern over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar, especially a few months before the state assembly elections. The signatories to the letter included Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Gandhi, Congress' Deputy Leader in the House Gaurav Gogoi, DMK's TR Baalu, NCP (SP)'s Supriya Sule, RSP's N K Premachandran, SP's Lalji Verma, TMC's Kakoli Ghose Dastidar, Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Arvind Savant and RJD's Abhay Kumar. "We, the undersigned Members of Parliament representing various Opposition parties, wish to express our deep concern over the ongoing voter list revision in Bihar, especially a few months before the state assembly elections," the opposition MPs said in their ...

Highlights: India to take all steps to protect national interests, says commerce minister

Latest news updates: The Congress stated that that President Trump is "piling it on India". Catch all the news developments here

LS adjourned till 4 pm amid continued Oppn protest over various issues

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the second time on Thursday amid protests by Opposition members over various issues, including poll roll revision in Bihar. As soon as the House met again at 2 pm, the Chair had to adjourn the proceedings till 4 pm as Opposition members continued with their noisy protests. Some Opposition members were in the Well of the House raising slogans as they sought to raise certain issues. Awadhesh Prasad, who was chairing the House, urged the members to take their seats but adjourned the proceedings as his pleas went unheard. Earlier, Speaker Om Birla had urged the protesting members to stop shouting slogans and go back to their seats. "You (protesting members) don't want to discuss issues?...," he said and also asked whether people have chosen them to indulge in sloganeering in the House. The House is for discussing issues and the behaviour of the members is not appropriate, Birla said before adjourning the proceedings till 2 pm. As the din cont

Sonowal to move shipping bill in LS; ST quota bill for Goa up for debate

Meanwhile, in Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will move a resolution to extend President's Rule in Manipur for a further period of six months

LS approves statutory resolution for extending President's rule in Manipur

Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a resolution approving extension of President's Rule in Manipur by another six months beyond August 13, with the government asserting that peace is prevailing in the northeastern state. What can be a bigger proof of peace returning there than the fact that since President's Rule was imposed, there has been only one fatality with no casualties in the last four months, Minister of State Nityanand Rai said. It is important to have President's Rule in Manipur for ensuring that peace is established, he said. "I want to say that there is peace prevailing there...the law and order situation is also under control. Full efforts are being made to remove differences between the two ethnic communities through dialogue to establish permanent peace," he said. Rai had moved the statutory resolution to extend President's Rule in the state for discussion in Lok Sabha. Speaker Om Birla said President's Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13 and the House had approv