Page 19 - Parliament Winter Session

Dire need to widen CBI's powers: House panel on needing states' consent

Asserting that withdrawal of 'general consent' by some states has led to severe limitations in the CBI's powers to investigate crucial cases, a Parliamentary panel on Monday said there was a dire need to enact a new law and give wider powers to the federal agency so that it can probe cases without a "state's consent and interference". At the same time, the panel said that some safeguards should also be laid down to ensure objectivity and impartiality in the functioning of CBI so that the states also don't feel discriminated against. As per the provisions of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, which governs the functioning of the CBI, the consent of the state government is a pre-requisite for any investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Nine states have withdrawn the general consent to the CBI for investigating cases, according to a report tabled by the panel in Parliament on Monday. State governments have granted general consent to the CBI for ...

Loans worth Rs 9,790 crore disbursed to under PM SVANidhi scheme: Govt

A total of Rs 9,790 crore worth of loans have been disbursed so far to beneficiaries of the PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, the government said in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The scheme was launched during the COVID-19 outbreak as a micro-credit scheme for urban street vendors that aims to provide collateral-free working capital loans up to Rs 50,000. "This scheme is available pan-India in all urban local bodies," Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said while replying to a supplementary question. All street vendors in urban areas are eligible for benefits under the PM SVANidhi Scheme, irrespective of the date on which they started vending. Loans disbursed to PM SVANidhi beneficiaries stood at Rs 2,039 crore in the 2020-21 fiscal, Rs 1,248 crore in 2021-22, Rs 1,866 crore in 2022-23 and Rs 4,637 crore up to December 5 of the current 2023-24 fiscal, taking the total to Rs 9,790 crore, the minister informed. As of December 5, 2023, .

Rs 27,131 crore spent on copper imports in FY23: Govt tells Parliament

India spent Rs 27,131 crore on copper imports in 2022-23, up from Rs 21,985 crore a year earlier, Parliament was informed on Monday. On account of low availability of copper reserves in the country, India has always been an importer of copper ore and concentrate. Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "Per annum net import value (and hence, net foreign exchange outgo) during the last two years... 2021-22 (is) Rs 21,985 crore, 2022-23 (is) Rs 27,131 crore." "India, with a refined copper production of 5.55 lakh tonne in FY2022-23, is the 10th largest in the world," the minister explained. The spurt in imports in the last two years is due to increased demand in copper refining, reflecting a post-pandemic recovery, especially the growth in user sectors such as infrastructure, construction, telecom, electrical, renewable energy, and electric vehicles. Copper is one of the 30 critical minerals identified by the Centre. Copper concentrate

Transition away from coal not happening in foreseeable future: Govt

The transition away from coal is not happening in India in the foreseeable future, Parliament was informed on Monday. Although India is pushing for renewable, non-fossil-based energy, but the share of coal in the energy basket is going to remain significant in the years ahead to ensure affordable energy availability, coal and mines minister Pralhad Joshi said. "In India, the transition away from coal or Just Transition is not happening in the foreseeable future," the minister said. Replying to a query in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said although, in due course, some mines may close down due to exhaustion of reserves, at the same time, many new coal blocks are being operationalised to meet the growing energy demand. "These mines are not only ensuring affordability and energy security of the nation but also providing new additional opportunities for new employment and redeployment of workers in new mines from the to-be-closed mines to ensure better livelihood and also generate ...

NMC logo row: Govt defends change, terms it part of India's heritage

The Centre on Monday defended the change in the National Medical Commission's logo to feature Dhanwantari -- the physicians of the Gods in Hindu mythology -- instead of a secular emblem, saying it was part of India's heritage and everyone must feel proud of it. When the TMC's Santanu Sen raised the issue of the change in the logo through a Zero Hour mention in the Rajya Sabha, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said Dhanwantari is a symbol of Indian medical science. "(It was) already a part of the (Commission's) logo and just some colour has been added and nothing more," he said. "This is India's heritage. I feel we should feel proud (about it)," he added. The minister said the logo is designed by taking inspiration from the country's heritage. "This is a symbol of medical science ... someone who had done so much research in medical science. We have used the photo with no other intention." The Medical Council of India (MCI) logo was adopted in 1934 after the Indian Medical Council

TMC leader Mahua Moitra moves SC challenging her expulsion from Lok Sabha

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra moved the Supreme Court on Monday challenging her expulsion from the Lok Sabha, after the House adopted the report of its ethics committee that held her guilty of accepting gifts and illegal gratification from a businessman to further his interest. On December 8, after a heated debate in the Lok Sabha over the panel report during which Moitra was not allowed to speak, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moved a motion to expel the TMC MP from the House for "unethical conduct", which was adopted by a voice vote. Reacting sharply to her expulsion, Moitra had equated the action with hanging by a "kangaroo court" and alleged that a parliamentary panel was being weaponised by the government to force the opposition into submission. The ethics committee report found Moitra guilty of "unethical conduct" and contempt of the House as she shared her Lok Sabha members' portal credentials -- user ID and password -- with unauthorised people, .

EPFO invested Rs 27,105 crore in exchange trade funds in Apr-Oct: Govt

Retirement fund body Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO ) has invested Rs 27,105 crore in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) during the current fiscal till October, Parliament was informed on Monday. EPFO had invested Rs 53,081 crore in the ETFs during the fiscal 2022-23, higher than Rs 43,568 crore in 2021-22, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Rameshwar Teli said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. The reply showed that the EPFO has invested Rs 27,105 crore in the ETFs so far in the current fiscal 2023-24 till October 2023. The body had invested Rs 14,983 crore in ETFs in 2016-17, Rs 24,790 crore in 2017-18, Rs 27,974 in 2018-19, Rs 31,501 crore in 2019-20 and Rs 32,071 in 2020-21, according to the reply. Teli explained to the House that the EPFO does not invest directly in individual stocks, including stocks of any blue-chip company. EPFO invests in equity markets through ETFs, replicating BSE-Sensex and Nifty-50 indices, Teli said. It has also invested from tim

Over 743,000 MGNREGA 'fake job cards' deleted in 2022-23, highest in UP

More than 7.43 lakh "fake" job cards under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme were deleted in 2022-23, of which over 2.96 lakh were in Uttar Pradesh, the Centre has said in the Lok Sabha. In a written response to a question this week, Minister of State for Rural Development Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti shared data on fake job cards. The data showed 7,43,457 fake job cards were deleted in 2022-23 and 3,06,944 in 2021-22. Uttar Pradesh accounted for the highest number of deletions on account of job cards being fake. As many as 67,937 fake job cards were deleted in Uttar Pradesh in 2021-23 and the number increased to 2,96,464 in 2022-23. Odisha came second with 1,14,333 job cards being deleted in 2022-23 and 50,817 in 2021-22. In Madhya Pradesh, 27,859 fake job cards were deleted in the last fiscal and 95,209 in 2021-22. The corresponding figures for Bihar was 80,203 and 27,062. In Jharkhand, 70,673 job cards were deleted in 2022-23 and 23,528 the previous year.

Making technical changes: MEA on Hamas designation question in Lok Sabha

A technical correction is being made mentioning V Muraleedharan's name as the minister who replied to a Parliament question on the designation of Hamas, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday. The clarification from MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi came hours after Union minister Meenakshi Lekhi said she did not approve any answer to the question. Both Lekhi and Muraleedharan are ministers of state in the MEA. Responding to a post on X, Lekhi on Saturday said she did not approve any answer to the question and said an "inquiry will reveal the culprit". "We have noted that Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 980 answered on December 8 needs a technical correction in terms of reflecting V Muraleedharan as the Minister of State replying to the Parliament question. This is being suitably undertaken," Bagchi said. His response came on media queries on the matter. The written answer to the unstarred question number 980, uploaded on the Lok Sabha's website, was attributed to

Mahua Moitra's odyssey: From banker to parliamentarian and explosive exit

The 14-year political journey of TMC leader Mahua Moitra has encountered both upheaval and elevation, as her expulsion from Parliament in a cash-for-query case marked the culmination of her tumultuous parliamentary term. Despite the abrupt brakes to her parliamentary career for the time being, the opposition's unwavering support painted a contrasting picture, underscoring Moitra's enduring impact in present-day Indian politics. Moitra, a first-time MP representing Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat, found herself expelled from the Lok Sabha on Friday. The Ethics Committee's report, holding her accountable for accepting gifts and illegal gratification, paved the way for her expulsion. Following a contentious debate where Moitra was denied the opportunity to speak, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi proposed a motion to expel the Trinamool member for "unethical conduct," a motion that was adopted through a voice vote. In response to her expulsion, Moitra strongly criticised the .

India's judge-population ratio stands at 21: Law Minister tells LS

While the Law Commission had recommended a target of 50 judges per million people 36 years ago, India has 21 judges per million people, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday. To calculate the judge-population ratio, the Law Ministry used the Census 2011 population data (1210.19 million) and the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court, 25 high courts and district and subordinate courts in 2023, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said in a written reply. "As per the target recommended by Law Commission's 1987 report recommending 50 judges per million population, presently the judge-population ratio in the country works out to be approximately 21 judges per million population," the minister said. On the timeline to bridge the gap, the minister said the increase in the number of judges in the higher judiciary is a continuous and collaborative exercise between the Executive and the Judiciary. In case of district and subordinate courts, the need for appropriate number of judges and

Linking of Aadhaar details with voter ID not yet begun, says govt

The linking of Aadhaar details with voter identity cards has not yet begun, Lok Sabha was informed on Friday. In a written reply, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said linking of Aadhaar is process-driven. He also said no targets have been given for linking Aadhaar details with the electoral photo identity card. "... The Election Commission has informed that linking of Aadhar with EPIC has not yet started," he said. He also noted that the time period to submit Form 6B (to link Aadhaar card) has been extended for a period of one year -- March 31, 2024. The Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 allows electoral registration officers to require the existing or prospective elector to provide the Aadhaar number for the purpose of establishing identity on a "voluntary basis", he said.

Concerned over worsening security situation: Govt on Hamas-Israel conflict

India on Friday said it remains concerned over the deteriorating security situation arising out of the Hamas-Israel conflict and called for "restraint and de-escalation" while emphasising on a peaceful resolution of the conflict through "dialogue and diplomacy". External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed the Lok Sabha that India strongly condemned the October 7 terror attack on Israel and also the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict. "We remain concerned at the deteriorating security situation and have called for restraint, de-escalation and emphasised peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy," he said in a written reply to a question. "We welcome the humanitarian pauses and the release of hostages," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar have spoken to several leaders in the region and across the world, including the president and prime minister of Israel and the Palestinian president. "India has also strongly taken up the

SC's AI panel has identified its use to keep track of pending cases: Govt

The artificial intelligence (AI) committee of the Supreme Court has identified its use to keep track of pending cases and to have a special focus on old matters and those pertaining to senior citizens, women and the marginalised, Lok Sabha was informed on Friday. In a written reply, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the apex court has deployed use of AI technology for transcribing oral arguments, particularly in the Constitution Bench matters since February. In almost 10 (main) constitution bench matters, transcripts of arguments by use of artificial intelligence have been generated and these are published through the official website of the Supreme Court. Meghwal said the use of AI tool technology is currently being done on trial basis for constitution bench matters only.

Jan Aushadhi scheme has saved citizens Rs 7,416 crore this fiscal: Govt

The over 10,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country have led to savings of around Rs 7,416 crore for the citizens this financial year, Rajya Sabha was informed on Friday. In a written reply in the Upper House, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Bhagwanth Khuba said an unprecedented 150 times growth in annual sales has been witnessed by the scheme in the last 9 years. "During the financial year 2022-23, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) has sold Jan Aushadhi medicines worth Rs 1,236 crore, with approx 40 per cent growth from the previous year and this has led to savings of approximately Rs 7,416 crore to the citizens," he noted. The projected sales target for 2023-24 is Rs 1,400 crore and the scheme is growing at a very fast pace garnering public trust and confidence, Khuba said. In all, during the past nine years, total savings have been estimated at more than Rs 23,000 crore for the citizens under this scheme, he stated. On an average 10-12

IATO seeks PM Modi's intervention to revive in-bound tourism in India

In-bound tour operators' body IATO on Friday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in reviving in-bound tourism in the country, saying the number of foreign tourist visitors remains "way below" pre-pandemic levels. In a letter to Modi, the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) also requested for financial succour to its members by way of certain incentives. Drawing his attention to a recent statement made in Parliament by Union Tourism Minister G Krishna Reddy that only 85.9 lakh foreign tourists visited the country in 2022 as compared to 3.14 crore in 2019, the association listed various reasons for the decline in foreign tourist visitors volumes and suggested steps that can be taken to revive the segment. The association claims to be representing over 1,700 in-bound tour operators in the country. "Foreign tourist visitors number falling during the Covid (pandemic) was understandable but now things are absolutely normal but our numbers are nowhere near the 2019

479 rural courts notified across India but 284 operational: Govt to LS

As many as 284 gram nyayalayas (rural courts) are functional across the country out of 479 notified by different states, according to data shared by the government in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The Gram Nyayalayas Act was enacted in 2008 to provide access to justice to citizen at their doorstep. According to the law, it is not mandatory for states to set up such court, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said in a written reply to a question. Citing the law, he said the state governments are responsible for establishing gram nyayalayas in consultation with the respective high courts. "The state governments, after consultation with the respective HCs may, by notification establish one or more Gram Nyayalayas for every panchayat at intermediate level or a group of contiguous panchayats at intermediate level in a district or where there is no panchayat at intermediate level in any state, for a group of contiguous gram panchayats," he said. The minister said it is up to the states to set up

Expulsion of Moitra from LS betrayal of parliamentary democracy: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee denounced the expulsion of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra from the Lok Sabha on Friday in connection with the 'cash-for-query' case and termed the move as a "betrayal" of India's parliamentary democracy. Moitra was expelled after the House adopted the report of its Ethics Committee that held her guilty of accepting gifts and illegal gratification from a businessman to advance his interests. "It is a disgrace to parliamentary democracy. We condemn the expulsion of Mahua Moitra; the party stands firmly with her. Unable to defeat us in elections, the BJP has resorted to vendetta politics. Today marks a sad day and a betrayal of Indian parliamentary democracy," Banerjee said during a press conference. The TMC chief accused the BJP of preventing Moitra from presenting her defence. Banerjee highlighted the submission of a nearly 500-page report to Parliament, followed by a mere 30-minute window for all parties to discuss the matter and

IT modernisation of Postal Department has costed Rs 445 cr so far: Govt

Expenditure to the tune of Rs 445.4 crore has been incurred so far this fiscal for the IT modernisation project of the Department of Posts, Parliament was informed on Friday. IT modernisation project 2.0 was approved in February 2022 by the government for the continuation of the technology project in the Department of Posts with a total outlay of Rs 5,785 crore for eight years, Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. The expenditure for 2022-23 stood at Rs 1,087.48 crore, and for 2023-24 (so far), it was Rs 445.41 crore. The IT modernisation project is implemented centrally pan-India, and hence state-wise expenditure is not applicable, the minister said. Quantifiable targets achieved in the last five years include central connectivity of the Post Office network through a dedicated Wide Area Network. Moreover, mail operations are digitalised, including delivery through the Android-based Postman Mobile Application, and department

Link between Covid-19 vaccines and heart attacks? Here's what govt said

A study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has observed that COVID-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults in India, the government informed Parliament on Friday. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said post hospitalisation due to COVID-19, the family history of sudden death and certain lifestyle behaviours increased the likelihood of unexplained sudden deaths. The minister was responding to a question on whether there has been any reported instance of a linkage between Covid vaccination and incidents of heart attacks in the country. Sudden deaths have been reported in some people after they contracted Covid, but sufficient evidence is not available to confirm the cause of such deaths, Mandaviya said. To ascertain the facts regarding the apprehension of a rising number of cardiac arrest cases after Covid, the ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) ...