Page 16 - Parliament Winter Session

Oppn MPs move notices in LS, seek discussion on Parliament security breach

Sticking to the matter, Congress Lok Sabha MP Manish Tewari has given an Adjournment Motion notice to discuss the Parliament security breach incident

Amit Shah to move Govt of UTs (Amendment) Bill in Rajya Sabha today

According to the agenda released, Shah will also move the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023, which seeks to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019

Parliament session: Centre may table Telecommunications Bill 2023 today

The new Bill states that the Centre be vested with the power to waive entry fees, licence fees, and penalties in the interest of consumers

PM should speak in Parliament on security breach issue: Adhir Chowdhury

Congress MP and leader of the party in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak in Parliament over the security breach issue, criticising him for taking four days to react to the incident. Chowdhury also claimed that Modi broke his silence on the issue because of pressure by the opposition parties and the people of the country. "The PM takes to 'X' whenever something happens anywhere in the world. But he took four days to react to the Parliament security breach incident. He should have come to the House the next day and assured people not to worry," Chowdhury told reporters here on Sunday. He finally spoke under pressure of the Opposition and the common people. I believe he should come to Parliament and speak on this issue," the West Bengal PCC chief said. In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on December 13, two men jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during the Zero Hour,

Govt likely to table Telecommunications Bill 2023 in Lok Sabha on Monday

The government is likely to table the Telecommunications Bill 2023 in Lok Sabha on Monday, according to sources. The Telecommunications Bill 2023 aims to replace the 138 years old Indian Telegraph Act that governs the telecom sector. "The President has been informed about the Telecommunications Bill 2023. It is likely to be introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday, December 18," a source told PTI. The Cabinet had cleared the bill in August. The draft Telecommunications Bill released in 2023 had proposed to bring over-the-top or the internet based calling and messaging apps under the definition of telecommunications to enhance users' safety. The bill had also proposed to curb the power of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), on which industry players had raised concern. According to government officials, the issues around over-the-top players and Trai were resolved before it was cleared by the Cabinet. The draft had proposed to ease some of the rules like refund of fees for

House panel recommends having provisions in AMASR Act to fix accountability

A parliamentary panel has recommended to the Centre that in the upcoming amendment of the AMASR Act, "strong provisions" may be incorporated for fixing accountability of government officials to ensure necessary steps are taken timely for tackling encroachment of centrally protected monuments. The department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, in its report, has also strongly recommended that provisions to "empower the local bodies for the protection of historical monuments" and to make them accountable may be incorporated in the amendment of the AMASR Act that is being worked upon by the Culture Ministry. 'Three Hundred Sixty Third Report on the Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations/ observations of the Committee contained in its Three Hundred Twenty-Fourth Report' on 'Issues relating to Untraceable Monuments and Protection of Monuments in India', was presented in both Houses last week. The sites under the Archaeological Survey

PM evading LS breach debate to avoid questions on BJP MP's role: Congress

The Congress on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running away from a debate on the security breach in Parliament and said the reason for it is that questions will be raised on the role of the Mysuru BJP MP in facilitating the entry of those who jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber. The opposition party's attack came after Modi said the seriousness of the security breach in Parliament cannot be underestimated and called for no squabbling over the issue amid the Opposition's protests over it in Parliament. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "The Prime Minister has finally broken his silence on the extraordinary events in the Lok Sabha on December 13th. He says probe is needed and not debate and that such a probe is on." "All that INDIA parties are asking for and will continue to press for is a statement by the Home Minister on what happened on December 13th and how exactly it happened," Ramesh said. "The PM is running away from a debate for a ve

Parliament security breach case: Sixth accused Mahesh Kumawat arrested

The Delhi Police has arrested one more person in connection with Parliament Security Breach case, an officer said on Saturday. Mahesh Kumawat had come on his own to a police station along with Lalit Jha Thursday night and both were handed over to the Special Cell, the officer said. He was being interrogated since then. He was a member of the now deleted Bhagat Singh Fan Club page created by the accused, the person said. Kumawat has been arrested on charges of destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy, the officer said.

Parliament security breach: Delhi court sends accused to 7-day custody

A Delhi court on Friday sent Lalit Jha, arrested in the Parliament security breach case, to 7-day police custody for his sustained custodial interrogation. Special Judge Hardeep Kaur remanded Jha in Delhi police's custody after the public prosecutor said he was the mastermind of the incident and was required to be questioned to unearth the entire conspiracy. The court passed the order on an application filed by the city police which sought his custody for 15 days.

Safety of Indians in Canada priority for government: Muraleedharan

As many as 8.3 lakh Canadian citizens have affiliation to Hinduism while 7.7 lakh reported Sikhism as their religion, the government told Parliament on Friday, citing Ottawa's census data for 2021. The information was provided by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. "As per available information through Canada Census data (2021), 8,30,000 Canadian citizens reported affiliation to Hinduism and 7,70,000 Canadian citizens reported Sikhism as their religion," Muraleedharan said. He said the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in Canada is a priority for the government. The ties between India and Canada have been under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September linking Indian agents to the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June. India strongly rejected the charges. "The Indian mission/consulates in Canada are constantly en

Parliament security breach accused wanted to create anarchy: Police

Lalit Jha, arrested in the Parliament security breach case, is the "mastermind" of the entire conspiracy and he and co-accused wanted to create anarchy in the country so that they can compel the government to meet their demands, the Delhi Police told a city court on Friday. Sources said police are likely to seek the Parliament's permission to recreate the December 13 incident that unfolded on the anniversary of the 2001 attack on it. Jha, who hails from West Bengal, was sent to seven-day police custody on Friday after his arrest last night. Police claimed in the Patiala House court that he admitted that the accused met many times to hatch the conspiracy to breach Parliament security. Besides, he was also required to be interrogated to ascertain whether the accused had association with any enemy country or terrorist organisation, police said. Talking about the future course of investigation, a senior police officer said that they will be taking Jha to Rajasthan to trace the places .

28 Indian students deported from US this year: Centre tells Lok Sabha

Twenty-eight Indian students were deported from the US to India this year, the government said in Lok Sabha on Friday. Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said the government has regularly expressed its concerns to the authorities in the US regarding such instances. "According to information available with the ministry, 28 Indian students were deported from the US to India in 2023," he said replying to a question. "The government has regularly expressed our concerns to the US authorities regarding such instances and requested them to ensure fairness with regard to entry of Indian students who hold valid student visas," Muraleedharan said. To a separate question, he said New Delhi is aware that some Indian nationals including students are facing deportation from Canada for allegedly submitting fraudulent letters of admission to Canadian academic institutions. "It was found that many of these students were sent by unscrupulous agents in India. The ministry has tak

Oppn to continue demanding Shah's statement on security breach: Sources

Opposition parties will continue their aggressive protests in both Houses of Parliament and press for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on the Parliament security breach issue, sources said on Friday. According to the sources, during their floor coordination meeting this morning, leaders of the INDIA parties decided to continue their aggressive stance in Lok Sabha as well as Rajya Sabha. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been witnessing multiple adjournments due to disruptions since two men jumped in the Lok Sabha gallery on Wednesday, following which opposition MPs demanded a statement from the home minister. Opposition MPs have also demanded a discussion on the issue, and action against the BJP MP who authorised the entry of at least one of the culprits. A Rajya Sabha member said when Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar called a meeting of floor leaders around 1 pm, opposition leaders refused to attend it. "We do not want any backdoor talks. Government should answer on the floor

HC collegiums yet to send recommendations for 201 judges' vacancies: Govt

Eighty-one of the 123 proposals sent by high court collegiums for appointment of judges are at various stages of processing with the government, Parliament was informed on Friday. The remaining 42 proposals are under the consideration of the Supreme Court Collegium, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. He also said recommendations are yet to be received from the high court collegiums regarding the remaining 201 vacancies. "As on December 12, 123 proposals are at various stages of processing. Out of these 123 proposals, 81 proposals are at various stages of processing in the government. Forty-two proposals are under consideration with the SC collegium," Meghwal said. According to the law ministry's website, as on December 1, of the sanctioned strength of 1,114 judges for the 25 high courts, there were 324 vacancies. According to the established mechanism, the chief justice of a high court initiates a proposal to fill vacancies of ..

Parliament security breach: High-level probe on, says Union minister Joshi

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday said a high-level probe is on in the Parliament security breach incident, as opposition MPs continued with their protest, demanding a statement on the issue from Home Minister Amit Shah and a discussion in both Houses. Asked about the opposition's allegation that the Centre is trying to suppress its voice, Joshi said, "No one is trying to suppress anyone's voice, it is their opinion. I want to say, come and debate. Two bills are listed today. On Monday, there are three important bills to replace the IPC, the CrPC and the Evidence Act. We want a detailed discussion. We have allotted 15 hours." In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on Wednesday, two men -- Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D -- jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during the Zero Hour, released a yellow-coloured smoke from canisters and shouted slogans, before being overpowered by the MPs. Amid demands fr

New bills to replace law on customs, excise, age limits of GSTAT members

The other Bill - The Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023 - seeks to raise the age limit for president and members of the GSTAT

Rail would need over 30 bn units of power after full electrification: Govt

The railways would require around 30.13 billion units of electricity after 100 per cent electrification of its broad gauge lines, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has informed the Lok Sabha. In a written reply on December 13 to a query by BJP MP Rajesh Chudasama who wanted to know the electrification status, he said the railways is progressively procuring renewable energy from different sources for its present and future requirements. Chudasama also sought to know the expected consumption after 100 per cent electrification and "the manner in which Railways is likely to ensure that the increased electricity demand is met through renewable sources". In his reply, Vaishnaw said, "Based on the present electricity consumption for traction purposes of Indian Railways, the expected increase in electricity consumption after 100 per cent electrification is estimated to be about 30.13 billion units. The actual demand will depend on the future passenger and goods traffic over Indian ...

Day before Lok Sabha breach, tender floated for additional security infra

A day before the major security breach in the Lok Sabha, the Central Public Works Department floated a tender for additional security infrastructure, including security gadgets and bulletproof enclosure for security personnel, at an estimated cost of Rs 35 crore for the Parliament complex. In the tender document published on December 12, the CPWD named the project as "Redevelopment of reception lounge & other security infrastructure in Parliament Complex, New Delhi". In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on Wednesday, two persons -- Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D -- jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released coloured smoke from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by some MPs. Around the same time, two other accused -- Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi -- sprayed coloured smoke from canisters while shouting "tanashahi nahi chalegi" outside Parliament premises. The CPWD, which comes ..

She was just raising slogans: Lok Sabha intruder's mother defends daughter

Delhi Police detained Neelam (42), a resident of Jind, and 25-year-old Amol after they protested outside the Parliament in front of Transport Bhawan using gas canisters that emitted yellow smoke

Main conspirator somebody else in Parliament security breach: Report

Police sources mentioned that all accused were associated with a social media page 'Bhagat Singh Fan Club'