Page 7 - Rajya Sabha

3 terrorists killed in Op Mahadev linked to Pahalgam attack: Amit Shah

Speaking on Operation Mahadev on the floor of the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah said the killed terrorists have been identified as Suleiman, Afghan, and Jibran

Parliament Highlights: Retaliation by Army forced Pakistan to bow down, says Rajnath Singh

Monsoon Session Highlights: Top leaders from NDA and INDIA bloc to face off in Parliament over Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. Follow live updates on the debate and proceedings here

RS adjourned for day as Oppn protest continues over Bihar's SIR issue

The Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned twice on Monday as Opposition protests over various issues, including electoral rolls revision in Bihar, continued to rock the House. As soon as the House reassembled for the Question Hour at 12 noon, various Opposition MPs were on their feet and Sushmita Dev (TMC) trooped into the Well, and sought to raise various issues. As the din continued, the proceedings were adjourned again till 2 pm. During the morning session (Zero Hour), Deputy Chairman Harivansh said he has received 26 notices under Rule 267 demanding discussion on various issues including Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and alleged discrimination against Bengali migrant workers in other states. He declined all the adjournment notices, and called Sudha Murty (nominated member) to make her Zero Hour mention. However, Opposition members, including from TMC and Congress were on their feet protesting the Chair's decision. They were raising slogans like 'Vote Ki Chori Band Karo' (s

Don't know the actual reason behind Dhankhar's resignation: Kharge

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says he has no information about Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation and urges the former Vice-President to explain the reason

Rajya Sabha secy general is returning officer for vice presidential poll

In a step forward towards holding the election to appoint the 17th vice president of India, the Election Commission on Friday appointed Rajya Sabha Secretary General P C Mody as the returning officer for the poll. The election was necessitated after Jagdeep Dhankhar's surprise resignation as vice president on Monday evening, citing health issues. His term was to end on August 10, 2027. In a statement, the Election Commission (EC) said that in consultation with the Ministry of Law and Justice and with the consent of the deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha, it has appointed Mody as the returning officer for the vice presidential election, 2025. The EC has also appointed Garima Jain, Joint Secretary, Rajya Sabha Secretariat, and Vijay Kumar, Director, Rajya Sabha Secretariat, as assistant returning officers during the course of the election. The poll authority, in consultation with the central government, appoints a returning officer, who will have his or her office in the national capital

Bihar voter list revision continues to rock Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha

The Upper House, which has been witnessing protests by opposition MPs over the SIR exercise, saw the first adjournment shortly after meeting at 11 am, when it was adjourned till noon

No plan to remove 'socialist', 'secular' from Constitution: Govt informs RS

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated in a written reply on Thursday that "the government's official stand is that there is no current plan or intention to reconsider or remove the words

Kashmiri Pandits urge parties to back bill on return and rehabilitation

Kashmiri Pandits welcomed the recommendation made by President Droupadi Murmu to a bill on the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Hindus in the Valley and urged political parties to vote for and support the bill concerning the community's rehabilitation. President Droupadi Murmu has recommended a private member's bill calling for the rehabilitation and resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits for consideration in the Rajya Sabha. The Kashmiri Pandits (Recourse, Restitution, Rehabilitation and Resettlement) Bill, 2022, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by Congress member Vivek Tankha on February 2, 2024, but required the President's recommendation as it involves financial implications. The bill will be taken up for voting in the Rajya Sabha in the current session. Kashmiri Pandits have welcomed the President's recommendation and expressed their happiness over the move. "We welcome the recommendation of the President to the private member's bill on the return and rehabilitation of KPs in

Swiss firm's pollution rankings misleading: Govt tells Parliament

The government on Thursday questioned the credibility of a global report that ranked India among the world's most polluted countries, saying the rankings could be "misleading" due to limitations in data sources and methodology. Replying to an unstarred question by Congress MP Pramod Tiwari in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said the IQAir report published in March 2024 ranks countries based on average PM2.5 concentrations. "However, it must be noted that only 38 per cent of the data sources used in the report are from government agencies. The remaining 62 per cent are from other agencies and include data generated using low-cost sensors," Singh said in his written reply. He said that such sensors are not approved for regulatory use and can produce data with a significant degree of error or uncertainty. "The data from a variety of monitors and sources, especially low-cost sensors, may have inaccuracies. Moreover, the report uses ...

No intention to remove 'socialism', 'secularism' from Preamble: Govt

The Union government has "no current plan or intention" to reconsider or remove the words 'socialism' and 'secularism' from the Preamble of the Constitution inserted during the Emergency period, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday. The House was also told that the government has not "formally" initiated any legal or constitutional process to remove the two words from the Preamble of the Constitution. In a written reply, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said while there may be discussions or debates in certain public or political circles, "no formal decision or proposal has been announced by the government" regarding amendments to these terms. "The government's official stand is that there is no current plan or intention to reconsider or remove the words 'socialism' and 'secularism' from the Preamble of the Constitution. Any discussions regarding amendments to the Preamble would require thorough deliberation and broad consensus, but as of now, the government has not initiated any

Central govt staffers can now take 30-day leave to care for elderly parents

The service rules allow 30 days' leave to Central government employees, which can be availed for any personal reason including that of taking care of elderly parents, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The minister was asked whether there is any provision for government employees to avail leave to take care of their elderly parents. "The Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 provides for 30 days of earned leave, 20 days of half pay leave, eight days of casual leave and two days of restricted holiday per annum, apart from other eligible leaves to a Central government employee, which can be availed for any personal reasons, including that of taking care of elderly parents," Singh said in a written reply.

Highlights: From semiconductors to cybersecurity, we shall create the future together, says PM Modi

Today's news highlights: Catch all the latest news developments here

Public grievance redressal time cut to 16 days from 28 in 2019: Govt

Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) on Thursday posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 538.94 crore for June quarter FY26 mainly due to higher revenues from transmission business. The company had incurred a loss of Rs 1,190.66 crore in the year-ago period, a BSE filing said. Total income rose to Rs 7,025.49 crore in the quarter from Rs 5,489.97 crore in the same period a year ago. Revenue from transmission business increased to Rs 2,188.19 crore from Rs 1,746.18 crore. However, revenue from distribution business dipped slightly to Rs 3,359.84 crore in the quarter from Rs 3,372.94 crore a year ago. "We anticipate a significant increase in AESL's capex rollout and new bid activity from Q2, as the monsoon subsides, said CEO Kandarp Patel.

Rajya Sabha bids farewell to 6 retiring members, P Wilson re-elected

Rajya Sabha bid farewell to six members from Tamil Nadu who are completing their terms on Thursday, with MPs across parties appreciating their contribution towards strengthening democratic traditions in the country. One of the retiring members, P Wilson of DMK, has been re-elected to the Rajya Sabha. Terms of M Mohamed Abdulla (DMK), N Chandrasegharan (AIADMK), Anbumani Ramadoss (PMK), M Shanmugam (DMK), Vaiko (MDMK) and P Wilson (DMK) ends on Thursday. Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Leader of the House J P Nadda, and several senior MPs across political parties spoke highly about the contribution of the retiring members to public discourse and strengthening democratic traditions. "Each one of these (retiring) members has contributed meaningfully to the deliberations of the House, bringing with them diverse experiences, perspectives and a deep sense of commitment to public service and democratic value," said Harivansh. He expressed confidence that the leader who had devoted entire life

8th Pay Commission: Govt receives wish list from staff representatives

Finalising panel's terms of reference for hikes, which may kick in from Jan

V-P Dhankhar's resignation accepted; a bit amiss, says Opposition

Dhankhar's resignation has led to political speculation, with Congress suggesting deeper reasons behind his exit, including tensions with the government and recent impeachment motions

Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns: When and how will next Vice-President be elected?

With Jagdeep Dhankhar stepping down citing medical reasons, Article 68 kicks off the process to elect a new Vice President by members of both Houses of Parliament

PLI scheme for bulk drugs led to import savings of ₹1,362 cr: Govt to RS

Imports of pharma raw materials worth Rs 1,362 crore have been avoided till March 2025 due to the creation of domestic manufacturing capacity for 25 identified items under the production-linked incentive scheme for bulk drugs, Parliament was informed on Tuesday. In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Anupriya Patel said that as of March 2025, against an investment commitment of Rs 3,938.5 crore over the period of six years, investment of Rs 4,570 crore has already been made under the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs. "As a result of the scheme, cumulative sales of Rs 1,817 crore have been reported over the period from the beginning of the scheme till March 2025, including exports of Rs 455 crore, thereby avoiding imports worth Rs 1,362 crore and creation of domestic manufacturing capacity for 25 identified KSMs/DIs/APIs," she stated. The PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs has a total budgetary outlay of Rs 6,940 crore and aims to avoid disruption in supp

Parliament highlights: Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha adjourned for the day amid protests

Parliament Monsoon Session highlights: Catch all the developments related to the proceedings in the Parliament here

Home Ministry notifies resignation of VP Dhankhar; Rajya Sabha informed

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday was informed about the Ministry of Home Affairs' notification regarding the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, with immediate effect. Soon after the House met for the Question Hour at 12 noon, Ghanshyam Tiwari, who was in the Chair, informed members about the notification. "The Ministry of Home Affairs, vide notification dated July 22, 2025, has conveyed the resignation of Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar under Article 67 (A) of the Constitution with immediate effect," Tiwari announced. Vice President of India is ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Dhankhar had sent his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu on Monday evening. "To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution," he said in his letter to the President. Dhankhar, 74, assumed office in August 2022. Soon after the House met in the morning, D