Parliament session Day 5 updates: Highlights on June 28, 2024

The Rajya Sabja is adjourned till 11 a.m. on Monday, July 1. 

BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya, who hails from West Bengal, highlights that people died or suffered injuries due to violence during the recently held Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal. At least eight have died, he said. He requested the government to take concrete action to address this issue. 

BJP MP Dr. Laxmikant Bajpayee highlights that Uttar Pradesh is noted for sports, and requests that grounds under Khelo India be developed in rural areas. 

BJP MP Brij Lal highlights that the Golaknath case said that there cannot be an alteration in the fundamental rights, and that Kesavananda Bharti case held that the basic structure of the Constitution. He points out that the Congress, under Indira Gandhi, imposed the Emergency. He described the Emergency as the biggest attack on the Constitution and a stain on democracy. He says that the Congress members were holding the Constitution and saying that the BJP would change it during the election campaign.

He highlights matters pertaining to reservation. He notes that Banaras Hindu University gives reservation and the Aligarh Muslim University does not. He says that the Congress took away reservation in 1991 by passing an Act declaring Aligarh Muslim University a minority institution. He says the case is now pending in the Supreme Court. They say they are working for the welfare of Dalits and OBCs but then steal reservations by passing an Act, he alleges. 

One achievement that stands out is that terrorism attacks in cities like Mumbai has been eradicated completely, Mr. Deora says. He notes that he was an MP from Mumbai when the 26/11 attacks happened, and said that national security is of paramount importance. He says that it is important to also attract investors and bolster the economy.

Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora congratulated Narendra Modi and the BJP for winning the Lok Sabha Elections and forming a government for the third consecutive term.

Mr. Deora also appealed that MPs rise above politics and work in collaboration instead of confrontation. 

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said the government is ready for discussion on the medical entrance exam NEET but that should take place as per tradition and by maintaining decorum.

Interacting with reporters after the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day amid protests by the opposition demanding a discussion on the alleged irregularities in the conduct of NEET-UG, the minister appealed to them not to confuse the students “The government is ready for every kind of discussion, but everything should happen following norms and maintaining decorum. The President spoke about the exam in her speech yesterday and it shows the government’s intention that we are ready to face any issue,” Mr. Pradhan said outside Parliament.

He said the government’s responsibility is towards the youth and students of the country.

“When the government is ready to put forth its side then what is the confusion? We are going to take the strictest action and the CBI is going to nab everyone (involved). We will not spare anyone,” Mr. Pradhan said.

-PTI

BJP MP Ram Chander Jangra, addressing the Rajya Sabha during a discussion on Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address said that the world now views India differently.

From Nalanda University’s launch to safeguarding reservation, Mr. Jangra praised the BJP-led government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their achievements.

Rajya Sabha Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge visited Congress MP Phulo Devi Netam in RML hospital after she fainted in the House during a protest demanding an adjournment of the House.

BJP MP Bhim Singh addressed the Rajya Sabha on the discussion on Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address and slammed the opposition for sloganeering in the House earlier.

“They keep shouting justice, justice...But it was their government that made a joke out of democracy and justice,” Mr. Singh said, citing the Emergency imposed by the Congress government in 1975.

BJD MPs, along with the entire Opposition, walked out of the Rajya in protest after their demand for the adjournment of the House was denied by the Chair. MP Phulo Devi Netam fainted in the well of the House during the protest and is being tended to by doctors. 

The Rajya Sabha moved the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the House, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar said. 

A total of 108 amendments could not be moved in the House, after which the Chairman said that the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address was open for discussion.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar criticised the Opposition for creating a ruckus in the House as BJP MP Kavita Patidar continued with the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.

“It is most unfortunate,” Mr. Dhankar said on Opposition MPs storming the well of the House earlier in the day demanding a discussion on the NEET-UG House. 

Mr. Dhankar appealed all the MPs to conduct the proceedings of the House peacefully. 

Amid an uproar by the Opposition during a discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address by BJP MP Kavita Patidar, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar adjourned the House till 2.30 p.m.

Addressing the 264th session of Rajya Sabha, MP Sudhanshu Trivedi lambasted the opposition over their demands regarding the NEET-UG issue. 

“Do they think they’re above the Supreme Court,” Mr. Trivedi asked, pointing out that the issue is in the top court and an investigation is underway. 

Lauding India’s global standing, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said that today Russia calls India their traditional ally while the U.S. calls India their strategic ally. Mr. Trivedi said this reflects India’s standing in global politics. 

Mr. Trivedi, praising the BJP-led government, said that today the government holds discussion with both Israel and Palestine, while previous governments took sides.

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi continued the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address after the House reconvened at 2 p.m.

Mr. Trivedi claimed that the Opposition still has a ‘slave mindset’.

Opposition MPs continued to raise slogans calling out the government over the NEET issue. 

Opposition MPs have been demanding a discussion on the issue since the proceedings began in Rajya Sabha. 

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar chided TMC MP Sagarika Ghose and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi for sloganeering.

The Chairman then adjourned the House till 2 p.m.

For the first time after being elected as an MP, Health Minister J. P. Nadda raised to speak in the Rajya Sabha. 

Thanking the House for the opportunity to speak, Mr. Nadda said he’s disappointed he couldn’t address the House under better circumstances as the Opposition MPs continued sloganeering.

Continuing a discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi slammed the Opposition over the arrest of former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. 

“Two of their leaders were arrested and they think democracy is in danger,” Mr. Trivedi said. 

Pointing out that this isn’t the first time it has happened, Mr. Trivedi went on to list their leaders who were arrested before 2014 when the Congress was in power. 

Opposition members, as BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi was discussing the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, were on their feet raising a discussion on the NEET issue. 

INC MP Mallikarjun Kharge then demanded the Deputy Chairman Harivansh for a discussion on the issue. 

“It’s undemocratic,” Mr. Kharge said over the Opposition not being allowed to speak in the House. 

Holding a discussion on Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the 264th session of the Rajya Sabha, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi lauded the BJP-led government for its achievements. 

From defence exports rising by 18% to India now boasting about the world’s highest bridge Chenab on Kashmir, Mr. Trivedi also pointed to profits made by Public Sector Banks. 

“You can’t ask the concerned minister to take responsibility,” former PM Deve Gowda said in the Rajya Sabha. 

Speaking on the NEET issue, Mr. Gowda said that since a CBI enquiry is pending and arrests are being made, if a Minister, who has been newly-elected takes responsibility, it paints the government in a bad picture.

JD(S) MP and former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda raised the NEET issue in the 264th session of the Rajya Sabha. 

Mr. Gowda, calling out the Opposition members over sloganeering, said that they cannot ask the concerned minister to take responsibility while investigation is pending.

Mr. Gowda was speaking on the Opposition’s demand for a discussion over the NEET issue and asking the government to take responsibility.

Amid Opposition Members’ protests, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the Lok Sabha until Monday (July 1). 

The Opposition Members were on their feet seeking the acceptance of an adjournment motion to suspend all business and discuss matters related to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). 

However, Speaker Om Birla said he could not allow it as the House was about to discuss the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on Thursday. 

With the Opposition not relenting, the uproar continued and the Speaker subsequently adjourned the House till Monday. 

Parliament should discuss NEET issue first, says Rahul Gandhi as Lok Sabha adjourns amid uproar

Rahul Gandhi urges PM Modi for respectful NEET discussion in Parliament amid alleged exam irregularities uproar.

Opposition Members continue to raise the issue of NEET in the parliament. 

Speaker Om Birla said that he could not allow it as the House was about to discuss the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on Thursday. 

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs of India Kiren Rijiju on Friday moved a motion to elect a committee on the welfare of other backward classes. 

The Lok Sabha reconvened at 12 p.m., after adjournment. The Congress Members are expected to raise the NEET issue. 

As soon as the House met, opposition members were on their feet seeking the acceptance of an adjournment motion to suspend all business and discuss matters related to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). 

The Rajya Sabha reconvened at 12 p.m. after adjournment. 

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, who moved a discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, talked about the government’s achievements in the past 5 years. 

As soon as the House reconvened, Opposition members raised slogans and seeking a discussion over the NEET-UG issue. 

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar called out the names of the MPs who stormed the well. Mr. Dhankar chided TMC MP Sagarika Ghose and MP Derek O’Brien. 

“You’re becoming a nuisance to yourself,” Mr. Dhankar told TMC MP Saket Gokhale.

The Chairman, minutes after the 264th session of the Rajya Sabha began, adjourned the House till 12 noon

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge urged the Chairman to accept the demand for discussion on the NEET-UG issue.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar denied the request as MP Sudhanshu Trivedi moved Motion of Thanks to President’s Address.

Opposition members then stormed the well of the Rajya Sabha. 

The Panel of Vice Chairpersons has been reconstituted. The include Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Ghanshyam Tiwari, Narayan Das Gupta, Rajani Ashokrao Patil, Sonal Mansingh, Medha Vishram Kulkarni, Sujith Kumar. 

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said before the proceedings started, ”Yesterday the floor leaders of the INDIA parties unanimously decided that we should raise the issue of NEET. I want to tell the students of India that the most important thing today is about you because you are the future of the country”. 

Mr. Gandhi added that he would like to request the Prime Minister to let the discussion take place respectfully and the government should join. “This is an issue concerning the youth. The students are worried as they don’t know what is going to happen in NEET. The message should go out from Parliament that the government of India and the Opposition are together for the sake of the students,” he said.

-Sandeep Phukan

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar did not approve of 22 notices by members from the opposition benches under a rule to suspend listed business of the day and hold discussion on the NEET issue.

Mr. Dhankar then asked BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi to move a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.

The Lok Sabha is adjourned until noon. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi wanted to raise the issue of NEET. “We thought that we would give a message to the students from both sides. The Opposition benches as well as the government side,” he said while asking for a separate discussion on NEET.

Speaker Om Birla said that the Adjournment motion or any other business was not taken up before the debate on the Motion of thanks to the President for her address. 

The Opposition MPs were unrelenting and were pressing for the discussion on NEET.

Then, after laying of papers, Mr. Birla adjourned the House.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi raised the NEET issue in the Lok Sabha on Friday. 

“I urge PM Modi to hold a respectful, good discussion on the NEET issue in Parliament as it concerns the country’s youth,” Mr. Gandhi had previously said. 

The Lok Sabha maintains a minute of silence to honour MPs, Brahma Nand Mandal, D. Venugopal, Manohar Joshi, C.P.M. Giriyappa, A. Ganeshamurthi, V. Srinivas Prasad, M. Selvaraj, Sushil Kumar Modi, among others, who passed away recently. 

Following the paper leak controversy around the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical undergraduates and cancellation of UGC-NET due to “lack of integrity”, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain on Friday gave a suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha to discuss cases of paper leaks in the conduct of exams, including NEET-UG and UGC-NET.

‘I hereby give notice under Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) of my intention to move the following motion for the suspension of business listed for 28 June 2024: “That this House do suspend all listed business of the day to discuss the unprecedented cases of paper leaks in conduct of exams, including NEET-UG and UGC NET and the failure of National Testing Agency (NTA),” wrote the Congress MP.

In the Rajya Sabha, BJP’s Sudhanshu Trivedi will move the Motion of Thanks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to respond to the debate on July 3 in the Upper House.

1. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to move motion that the House proceed to elect 30 members to serve as members of the Committee on Estimates for the term ending on April 30, 2025.

2. He will also move motion to elect 15 members to serve in the Committee on Public Accounts for the term ending on April 30, 2025.

3. Mr. Rijiju to move motion that the Lower House do recommend to Rajya Sabha to nominate seven members for being associated with the Committee on Public Accounts of the House for the term ending on April 30, 2025.

4. He will move motion for the House to elect 15 members to serve in the Committee on Public Undertakings for the term ending on April 30, 2025.

5. Mr. Rijiju to move motion that the Lower House do recommend to Rajya Sabha to nominate seven members for being associated with the Committee on Public Undertakings of the House for the term ending on April 30, 2025.

6. He will move motion for the House to elect 20 members to serve in the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for the term ending on April 30, 2025.

BJP leader and former Union minister Anurag Thakur will move on June 28 in the Lok Sabha Motion of Thanks on the President’s address and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply to it is expected on July 2.

According to a Lok Sabha bulletin, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj will second the motion thanking the President for her address to the joint sitting of Parliament on Thursday.

As per convention and parliamentary procedures, after the President’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha adopt separate motions thanking the President for the address. - PTI