Page 17 - Parliament

Governors not above law, must follow parliamentary democracy norms: SC

The Supreme Court has said it is not undermining the office of the governor in fixing a timeline for their actions under Article 200 but they must act with due deference to the settled conventions of parliamentary democracy. A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan which was critical of the act of Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi sitting over bills passed by the legislative assembly without any action, held that governors act according to Article 200 of the Constitution in a time-bound manner in a period ranging from one to three months. Article 200 empowers the governor to give assent to the bills presented to him, withhold the assent or to reserve it for the consideration of the president The bench said, "We are in no way undermining the office of the Governor. All we say is that the Governor must act with due deference to the settled conventions of parliamentary democracy; respecting the will of the people being expressed through the legislature as-well as the elected governme

Reward lawyers involved in free legal aid: Parliamentary panel tells govt

Absence of structured incentives has deterred widespread participation of lawyers in free legal aid activities, a parliamentary panel has noted while recommending setting up of a "national registry" for pro-bono lawyers, offering recognition and linking their contributions to career advancement opportunities. The parliamentay committee on law and personnel also lamented that para-legal volunteers (PLVs) remain an under-utilised resource despite their potential to connect marginalised communities with essential legal services. In its action taken report on its previous report on 'review of the working of legal aid under the Legal Services Authority Act, the committee said efforts to encourage pro-bono (free legal service offered, especially to the poor) work and enhance lawyer compensation are progressing. "... yet the absence of structured incentives and formal recognition continues to deter widespread participation. Recognising the vital role of effective legal representation, ...

K V Prasad's book explores Parliament's role in shaping foreign policy

K V Prasad's book examines Parliamentary debates on major foreign policy issues in independent India, as well as in the Constituent Assembly, to assess Parliament's role in shaping foreign policy

BJP to launch nationwide campaign to promote new Waqf law benefits

The BJP will launch a fortnight-long public awareness campaign, aimed especially at Muslims, from April 20 to publicise the benefits of the Waqf (Amendment) Act and counter the opposition's criticism of it, with party president JP Nadda and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju addressing its delegates on Thursday. BJP office-bearers from across the country attended a workshop here as Nadda accused the opposition parties of misleading Muslims over the provisions of the amended law as part of its vote-bank politics. He asserted that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is determined to make 'pasmanda (backward)' Muslims and women stakeholders in management and welfare programmes of the Waqf with transparent and efficient management of its properties, party sources said. Members of Waqf boards from BJP-ruled states and the party's organisation, including its minority wing, attended the day-long workshop. Nadda said the new law, which came into effect on April 8, would hel

Only those who misunderstood are opposing it: Kiren Rijiju on Waqf Act

Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on Friday with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, while the Lok Sabha cleared the bill after a lengthy debate, with 288 members voting in favour and 232 opposing it

Jamiat moves SC challenging validity of Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025

The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, claiming it was a "dangerous conspiracy" to strip Muslims of their religious freedom. President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was earlier passed by Parliament after heated debates in both Houses. Several petitions, including one by Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, have been filed in the apex court challenging the validity of the Act. In its petition, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has said that this law was a "direct attack on the country's Constitution, which not only provides equal rights to its citizens but also grants them complete religious freedom". "This bill is a dangerous conspiracy to strip Muslims of their religious freedom. Therefore, we have challenged the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, in the Supreme Court, and the state units of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind will also challenge the constitution

Parl panel expresses concern over diversion of DMF's fund in several states

A parliamentary panel has expressed concerns over several cases of diversion of funds of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) in several states for purposes other than welfare of mining-affected areas. The DMF is a non-profit statutory 'fund' for every Indian district affected by mining related operations. It is aligned with the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY), to ensure effective and equitable utilisation of these funds to address the challenges of communities inhabiting the mining regions and for their sustainable development. The panel is "concerned to note that there are many cases of diversion of the funds of DMFs or purposes other than the stipulated ones, in many States as informed by the Ministry of Mines. Such diversions, the Committee notes, took place in the form of transfers to State treasury/consolidated fund of the State or State level funds (by whatever name called) or Chief Minister's Relief Fund or other funds or schemes", said the Standing Committe

After Parliament nod, President gives assent to Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed by Parliament earlier this week. Murmu also gave her assent to the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025. "The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the president on April 5, 2025, and is hereby published for general information: The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025," the government said in a notification. Parliament early on Friday approved the Bill after the Rajya Sabha gave its nod to the contentious legislation following an over 13-hour debate. The discussion witnessed staunch objections from opposition parties, which termed the Bill "anti-Muslim" as well as "unconstitutional", while the government responded that the "historic reform" would benefit the minority community. The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 128 members voting in favour and 95 opposing it. It was passed in the Lok Sabha early on Thursday, with 288 members supporting it and 232 against it. Parli

Parl panel urges govt to boost youth and sports funding, address vacancies

A parliamentary committee has called for urgent action to address chronic underfunding, staffing shortages and underutilization of resources in the Department of Youth Affairs (DoYA) and the Department of Sports. The 366th Report on the Demands for Grants (2025-26), tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, highlighted gaps in youth engagement programs and sports development initiatives, urging the government to prioritize these sectors to harness India's demographic dividend and elevate its global sporting stature. The Committee expressed dismay that the DoYA receives just 0.02% of the Union government's budget, a figure it deemed inadequate given India's vast youth population. It noted that a significant portion of the department's increased expenditure stems from one-time costs such as Rs 64.26 crore spent on upgrading the MY Bharat Portal rather than sustained programmatic growth. Past underutilization of funds, the report warned, undermines the department's case for a larger allocati

Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die, marking the end of budget session

Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on Friday, marking the end of the Budget Session that began on January 31. In his concluding remarks at the end of the 267th session of Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said the House passed key legislations, including the Waqf Amendment Bill, and discussed several important issues during its sittings. "The productivity of this session stood at 119 per cent. On April 3, the Rajya Sabha began proceedings and etched its name in the annals of legislative history with an unprecedented sitting from 11 am on that day until 4.02 am the following day, ie, this day, the longest in its history," Dhankhar said. He added, "This would send a very great message to the people at large and enhance belief in this great institution." Dhankhar appreciated members for participating in the debates and discourses with enlightened inputs and varying opinion shades. "After a long gap, the house witnessed welcome wit, humour, sarcasm and repartee, apart from ...

Waqf Bill passed in Parliament: What happens next? Waqf property | Waqf (Amendment) Bill

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has now been officially passed in the Parliament. But what happens next? Watch the video to find out.

Parliament highlights: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die amid ruckus over Waqf Bill

Parliament highlights: Catch all the latest news developments here

Lok Sabha adjourned sine die as Budget session ends, 16 Bills passed

The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Friday, bringing down the curtains on the Budget session which began on January 31. As soon as the House met at 12 noon after an adjournment over remarks by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla read out his valedictory remarks and adjourned the House sine die (indefinitely till the new session is convened). He said as many as 16 bills were passed during the session and the House productivity was pegged at over 118 per cent. As he spoke, opposition members were raising slogans against Birla's observation against Gandhi that her claim that the Waqf amendment Bill was bulldozed without discussion was unfortunate and against dignity of the House. During the session, the government completed its budgetary exercise after the Lok Sabha gave its nod to the demands for grants for the various ministries as well as the Finance Bill. The budget for Manipur, under central rule, was also cleared. The Waqf amendment bill, which witness

Manish Tewari moves adjournment to discuss 'deteriorating' ties with US

The Congress Rajya Sabha MP has sought permission from the Chair to raise this matter for urgent discussion in the House

Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 passed in Rajya Sabha: What's next for it?

Parliament approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as Rajya Sabha passed it 128-95 after a 12-hour debate

Parliament's nod to Waqf Bill 'watershed moment' for transparency: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament as a "watershed moment" in the country's collective quest for socio-economic justice, transparency and inclusive growth. He said this will particularly help those who have long remained on the margins, thus being denied both voice and opportunity. In posts on X, he said the Waqf system for decades was synonymous with lack of transparency and accountability, especially harming the interests of Muslim women, poor Muslims and Pasmanda Muslims. He said, "The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill by both Houses of Parliament marks a watershed moment in our collective quest for socio-economic justice, transparency and inclusive growth." He added that the legislations passed by Parliament will boost transparency and also safeguard people's rights. PM Modi said India will now enter an era where the framework will be more modern and sensitive to social ..

'Chances that judiciary may strike down Waqf Amendment Bill 2025': Singhvi

The Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 in the early hours of Friday after a marathon and heated debate

Parliament Highlights: Waqf Bill not against Muslims, don't want to hurt sentiments, says Rijiju

Parliament news updates: Catch all the latest news developments here

Trump's reciprocal tariffs: Govt weighs in, TDP seeks seafood shield

Opposition parties seek to know Centre's plans to protect interests of Indian farmers and small-scale industries

Parliament clears landmark aviation bill to support aircraft lessors

The issue has been in focus since 2023 when lessors like SMBC Aviation couldn't repossess aircraft from India's Go First after it filed for bankruptcy