The Rajya Sabha proceedings today were marked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech as a response to the Motion of Thanks to the President. The House also witnessed its first day of general discussion on the Union Budget 2022-23, with P. Chidambaram and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda taking part in the same.
The Lok Sabha today continued the general discussion on the Union Budget. The House also discussed matters of urgent importance after the Question Hour.
Here are the latest updates:
Lok Sabha adjourned for the day
Lok Sabha proceedings have been adjourned until 4.00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 9, 2022.
Kunwar Danish Ali of the BSP says this Government did not setup a single PSU in its tenure but has only been selling the existing ones.
He earlier said while under the 'New India' vision of this Government, the poor are getting poorer and the income of the handful rich of the country has grown many folds. "Is this the Naya Bharat we want," Mr. Ali asked.
P. Ravindhranath of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is speaking the Union Budget in Tamil.
Congress MP from Bengaluru Rural, Karnataka, D. K. Suresh is speaking on the subject in Kannada.
Lok Sabha proceedings extended until 10 pm
Chair N. K. Premachandran proposed to continue the general discussion on the Budget and extend the House proceedings by one hour, to which all members agreed.
Finance Minister interrupts Shiv Sena MP over 'false claims' on BSNL, MTNL
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman interrupts Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant as he blamed the current NDA government for the failure of public sector telecommunications companies BSNL and MTNL.
Ms. Sitharaman, rising from her seat abruptly, says, "He is a very respected member of the House and has been a minister earlier. I have very much regard for him, but the BSNL, I'm sorry, I will have to stand up and say this sach nahi bol rahe hain sir aap (Sir, you're not speaking the truth)."
"BSNL was in such a bad condition, the previous government did not even give it the money to buy 4G (spectrum). And with no money, it was getting difficult to even pay the salary to the staff," she says while adding that it was the Modi government that made the provisions of full payment to all its employees.
As some Opposition members try to interrupt her, she says, "You dispute it if you want." She goes on to say that a senior member like Mr. Sawant should not mislead the House.
Mr. Sawant, while slamming the Centre for privatisation and poor performance of PSUs, had said that the current Government was responsible for the failure of MTNL and BSNL.
The TMC MP also slammed the Government for failing to keep its promise of doubling the farmers' income by 2022.
Citing a 2017 NITI Aayog policy paper by Ramesh Chandra titled 'Doubling farmers' income rationally: Strategy prospects and action plan', he said the Prime Minister wanted to double the income of Indian farmers by the year 2022. The Budget 2022-23, however, failed to show any ray of hope on that front, he noted.
Mr. Banerjee further says the allocation under the jobs and skill development scheme has been continuously declining since 2019-10 despite rising unemployment in the country. The allocation has "significantly reduced to less than half from Rs 5,608.5 crore in 2019-20 to Rs. 2,688.2 crore in the financial year 2022-23", he notes.
Kalyan Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress says the Budget does not show any hope to combat inflation and unemployment. This is clearly an anti-people Budget, he adds.
"Our (West Bengal's) ex-finance minister and current principal chief advisor to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rightly said it appears to be a 'misplaced dream of one or two people running the country'," Mr. Banerjee says.
Slamming the Central Government's decision of privatising Air India, Congress MP K. Muraleedharan asks if there was still a need for the Civil Aviation Department.
"What is the need for the Civil Aviation Department because there is no Air India, no major airports (under Government control)," he asks. "I think it should be closed."
All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen MP from Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Syed Imtiaz Jaleel demands the Government should now starts presenting one separate Budget, on the lines of the Railway Budget, for health and education due to the damage done by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Either we should have a combined Budget for health and education on a separate day or I request the Finance Minister to call a joint session of the Parliament to discuss the two sectors," he said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, education of the children has been equally affected, he adds.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP A. M. Ariff says Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has presented her fourth Budget focus on the 'Amrit Kaal', referring to the next 25 years when we celebrate 100 years of India's independence. "Definitely this is going to be an Amrit Kaal, but the question is for whom," he says.
"By the time we celebrate the century of our independence, the Amrit in the form of gems in the public sector would be in the hands of corporates (referring to Government's disinvestment plans)," Mr. Ariff adds.
Mr. Sinha says during the global financial crisis of 2007-08, India's macro economic stability had completely crumbled. "Our country was classified as one of the fragile five. We were in a mode of complete crisis there," he says while noting that all macro economic parameters had come into a crisis mode back then.
However, he furthers says, all macro economic parameters are stable now during the biggest crisis in a century. "Today the GDP (growth) is at 9.2%, further it's estimated at 8%, rupee is stable, inflation is under 5%, fiscal deficit is being reduced, and the capital flow is increasing rapidly," Mr. Sinha notes.
Mr. Sinha also talks about various ongoing infrastructure projects in the country and adds that not only physical infrastructure but the Government is also focusing on digital infrastructure for the future.
Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's speech, Bharatiya Janata Party member Jayant Sinha says that they might have an India of theirs, but we have our own Bharat.
Congress MP from Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, Dr. K. Jayakumar is speaking on the Subject in Tamil.
Raigad, Maharashtra MP, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare of Nationalist Congress Party is speaking on the Union Budget in Marathi.
"The Budget generally comes with great hopes but I feel it (the Budget 2022-23) is short on ideas and lacks growth invigorating and inclusive proposal," says Telangana Rashtra Samithi MP, Dr. Gaddam Ranjith Reddy. He adds that this is not a Budget for comman man, farmers, poor, and sincere tax payers.
"As my CM (K Chandrasekhar Rao of Telangana) has said, this is a golmaal Budget," he says.
Bahujan Samaj Party's Ram Shiromani Verma says the Budget has neglected the poor and the farmers. He also slams the Finance Minister for not giving any relaxations to the middle-class income tax payers.
Bhartruhari Mahtab of the Biju Janata Dal says the Finance Minister deserves compliments for presenting a Budget that looks into the future while keeping a close eye on the ground.
However, the sectoral allocation is slashed in critical sectors such as agriculture and farmers' welfare, higher education, rural development and women and child development, he says while adding that this could hamper growth. There is no provision made for the urban poor, he adds.
472 electoral bonds issued by SBI: Finance Ministry in written reply to Rajya Sabha
The Ministry of Finance informed the Rajya Sabha that a total of 472 electoral bonds were issued across 10 branches of the State Bank of India in 2020-21. The total amount of electoral bonds encashed in the year was Rs. 324.36 crore.
- PRS Legislative
YSRCP's Sri Krishna Devarayalu Lavu says one positive of this Budget is that the Finance Minister refrained from making it an election Budget despite the temptation of Assembly polls in five States. He also lauded the Government's acceptance of digital currency and tech economy.
However, one major cause of concern is that the Budget does not talk anything about the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, which has done well in the last two years of the pandemic. "I believe it is going to be discontinued soon which is a major cause of concern," he says.
Mr. Lavu also raises the demand of special category status to Andhra Pradesh. "The promise was made druing the unscientific bifurcation of our state," he says.
Shiv Sena's Dhairyasheel Mane says the Union Budget makes no mention of MSP of farm produces despite the year-long farmers agitation.
He says the government had promised to double the income of the farmers but the Budget remains mum on that.
General discussion on Budget begins
The House begins general discussion on the Union Budget 2022.
Matters of urgent public importance taken up
The House takes up matter of urgent importance. Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury raises the issue of hijab controversy in Karnataka schools and colleges. He says some people are trying to divide the society in the name of religion and demands that the government makes a statement on the matter.
Papers are now being laid on the teable.
Lok Sabha praises India U-19 cricket team
Speaker Om Birla congratulates India's Under-19 Men's Cricket team for winning the ICC U-19 Men's Cricket World Cup for the fifth time.
Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh responds to a question on parameters for the beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Lok Sabha, February 8, Minister of Rural Dev.
On development of All India Radio and Doordarshan
Dayanidhi Maran of DMK asks if the government has any plans of launching digital FM and modernisation of All India Radio.
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan, says the government is actively undertaking modernisation works. He also said he was ready to sit with Mr. Maran and discuss the issue further.
Minister of State for Corporation, B. L. Verma says the Government is working towards giving relief to the consumers of four Co-Operative Societies that did not return the depositors' money.
Lok Sabha, February 8, Corporation Minister of State
Lok Sabha session convenes
Proceedings in the Lok Sabha have begun. Question Hour is undergoing currently.
Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day
Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day. The House will resume proceedings at 10.00 a.m. on February 9, 2022
Special Mentions
Special Mentions being laid on the Table
Sukhendu Sekhar Ray informs the House about the time allotted by the Business Advisory Committee for Legislative Business
"Government is inaccessible, not only to public, but also to elected representatives."
M. Mohamed Abdulla (DMK) speaks during the discussion on Union Budget 2022-23
Our union government sold out Air India, LIC, but fortunately they let this House remain, I have a chance to stand here today, he says as part of his maiden speech
The vision for India at 100 was nothing but the same thing repackaged for the 3rd year in the row.
Same line repeated in Budgets by three Finance Ministers of this government in seven years - doubling of farmers income by 2022. This does not find mention in 2022-23 Budget- Damini Nath
He speaks on the three farm laws. One of government's allies, SAD, was forced to walk out, he adds.
This government and its leaders follow the policy of my way or highway. They have blood on their hands, hundreds of farmers died opposing the farm laws. They are inaccessible, not only to public, but also to elected representatives.
"Because election is over, Tamil is also over from your budget speech," Mr. Abdulla says.
" Which generation will pay back these amounts?"
Jawhar Sircar (AITC) addresses the House.
This budget institutionalises the difference between classes in India, he says.
Nobody gave you the right to sell-off assets the nation created over 70 years, he adds. There are two major worries. One is on fiscal deficit, the figure is extraordinarily high, and impacts the country's image in front of investors.
You have increased borrowings by 130%, Mr. Sircar says. Which generation will pay back these amounts? he adds.
Mr. Sircar says that Housing budget has shot up by Rs. 20, 000 crore, which went to "pandering of a gigantic ego in tinkering around with the Central Vista and other projects."
142 billionaires have increased their wealth from Rs. 22 lakh crores to Rs. 53 lakh crores. The cornering of wealth can only happen in a collusive order, he says.
He asks why the government has not implemented a wealth tax, adding that the social sector has been slashed by this insipid Budget. - Damini Nath
Under Mr Modi, the Budget for education as a percentage of GDP has gone below 1.
The Jute industry is a natural ally to the statements you made in Glasgow. You are tinkering around, 50,000 workers have been laid off. On the other hand you are supporting petroleum and plastics.
The judicial system is on the verge of breakdown. 60,000 cases are pending, he notes.
He opposes the Budget submission.
H.D. Deve Gowda speaks on the topic of linking of rivers.
Karnataka is one of the states that will suffer when the project is implemented, he says.
Population is 130 lakhs today. We are already utilising from whatever the SC has decided, he says raising the issue of drinking problem of Bengaluru city.
DMK and AIADMK come together on the Kaveri river issue, he says in his speech.
Government of India is treating Karnataka like an orphan, the former Prime Minister adds. - Damini Nath
The poor see Prime Minister Modi as their "messiah"
Arun Singh (BJP) addresses the House on the Budget
He says the poor see Prime Minister Modi as their "messiah"
When lockdown was implemented, the first announcement was made to give foodgrains to the poor, he adds.
MGNREGA budget was also increased under this government, when compared to the budget under the Congress government.
Under Congress government, the poor didn't have pucca houses. Today under PM AWAS YOJANA, we give about Rs. 1.5 lakh to each person, and over 2 crore houses have already been created.
The PM recognised the problems arising out of polluted water and we started the Jal Jeevan Mission. If our citizens are unhealthy, then how will the country develop? Even in this budget, we alloted Rs. 60, 000 crore for Nal se Jal.
Everyone is praising this budget, including the IMF director.
In every budget, the government is carrying the motto of "minimum government, maximum governance". Today we have improved our Ease of Doing business ranking. We will be launching Ease of Doing Business 2.
Mr. Singh speaks on how allocation for infrastructure was increased. Responding to the Air India comment by Mr. Chidambaram, he asks,"Who was responsible for this state of Air India?"
"This government has forgotten the poor"
This government has forgotten the poor
The words poor occurs twice in the budget, and the word job occurs thrice in the Budget, one name is mentioned six times. You have forgotten the poor, but the poor will not forget you, Mr. Chidambaram says.- Damini Nath
"What has the government done for welfare?"
India's economy has not yet recovered to the level of pre-pandemic years. Millions of jobs have been lost, 60 lakh MSME havebeen closed down, per capita income and expenditure has declined. Huge learning loss among school children, especially in rural areas.
India's rank in Global Hunger Index has fallen to 101. There is flight of talent from India, with emergence of Monopolies and duopolies.
102 billionaires have become 142 billionaires, Mr. Chidambaram says. In this context, what has the government done for welfare?
Welfare has been thrown to the wind, he adds.
"Government claims we are running fast, but we are running fast to stay in the same place"
Economic policy is contextual. in four years, this government has brought down the growth rate, from 8.3% to 3.7%.
Government claims we are running fast, but we are running fast to stay in the same place!, says Mr. Chidambaram.
"The government promised 2 crore jobs a year, they should report to us, how many jobs were created."
"There is no purpose in looking at this government's proposal. I only want to look at the outcome budget," Mr. Chidambaram says.
It is essential that the government have an overarching economic philosophy. Our party has one.
We have a population of 139 crore people, of which workforce is 94 crore, but the labour force participation rate is 52 crore. Of the workforce only 52 crore have some kind of a job.
The government promised 2 crore jobs a year, they should report to us, how many jobs were created?
The budget speech had one speech about job creation...which comes to about 12 lakh jobs a year. The annual addition to labour force is 47.5 lakh. What will the rest do?
The answer is very simple, they will fry and sell pakodas.
"Revised capital expenditure for 2021-22 is higher, until we look at finer print"
On capital expenditure, he says in 2021-22, the estimates projected, as Rs. 5, 54, 236 crore. I have seen a number of statements made my ministers.
Revised estimate came as a pleasant surprise, it was Rs. 6, 02, 711 crore. Until we get into finer print, that this includes a one time death payment for Air India.
"That is not a capital expenditure, that is repaying the bank!"
If you deduct that amount, it is less than the estimate, he says/
P. Chidambaram speaks as part of Budget discussion
PM should use this statistic in his next speech. As on March 31, 2021, there were more than 8 lakh vacancies in the government and they only hired 78, 264 persons. The best thing I like about the Finance Minister's speech was it was her shortest budget speech.
I’m a member of the tukde-tukde gang, which is the Hindi version of the word disruption. I’m not worried because a question was asked in Parliament who are the members of this gang and the minister said there is no data.
"There is no data available on tukde tukde gang, on oxygen shortage death, on the bodies flowing in rivers, on how many migrants walked to their home," he says.
This is a No Data Available government, otherwise known as NDA government, he adds.
Discussion on Union Budget 2022-23 starts
Amendments put to vote
The Chairman puts to vote amendments. The motion is adopted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech ends.
"I request all to keep believe in India's bright future," Prime Minister Narendra Modi says.
We should not miss this opportunity, if we catch it, then this journey of 25 years will take us far, he adds.
Nation should know how Lata Mangeshkar's family was treated
We were also sermonised on Freedom of Expression. I would like to recall something. The whole nation is sad due to Lata Mangeshkar's death. Her family is from Goa, nation should know how her family was treated. Lata Mangeshkar's younger brother, Hridaynath Mangeshkar, was removed from All India Radio. His crime? He presented a poem by Veer Savarkar. He was removed from AIR in 8 days. This was your freedom of expression.
We all know what happens when anyone raises a voice against a specific family.- Damini Nath
"People of Goa can never forget this behaviour of the Congress"
Goa became free 15 years after India got Independence, Pandit Nehru's biggest concern was his reputation internationally. He had said he would not send the army when freedom fighters were being fired upon. This is what the Congress did to Goa.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi proceeds to quote a speech made by Jawaharlal Nehru on August 15, 1955.
"Would have been good if friends from Congress were here, their day would have gone good by hearing his name," says PM Modi.
People of Goa can never forget this behaviour of the Congress, he adds. -Damini Nath
On women empowerment
PM Narendra Modi speaks on his government's efforts towards women empowerment
Triple talaq law not only gives justice to women, it also benefits Muslim men as they are also fathers, brothers
What is the need for a difference in marriage age of men and women? I'm sure this House will take a good decision on this soon- Damini Nath
Congress thinking has been trapped by urban naxals
It is said that we are trying to change history. Congress thinking has been trapped by urban naxals, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Their thinking has become destructive
We just want to improve the memory of some people. We are not changing history. Some people's history starts from a particular time, we are only going back.
Some people's history is limited to one family, he adds.
We never got to read about the contribution of tribals in the 1857 war of Independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says.- Damini Nath
On Cooperative competitive federalism and Aspiraitonal Districts
We have spoken of cooperative competitive federalism. GST Council is an example of the federal structure. State finance ministers and Union Finance Minister sit as equals to make decisions. All decisions have been unanimous.
Like social justice is important, regional justice is also important. That's why we have selected aspirational districts along with States. Apart from one State, all States have participated to improve indicators in these districts.
Revenue from coal auctions have gone to state governments. If states benefit, the country benefits. Odisha has been shoulder to shoulder to us in implementing the reforms.-Damini Nath
"State will be developed for the country's sake"
What all didnt happen with me? Even Gujarat was subjected to it. But as CM I always used to say that the State will be developed for the country's sake. People who ruled the country for decades, the way they exploited the States, they brought President’s rule over 100 times and uprooted elected governments.
Congress high command discredits, destabilises and then discards, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Congress did not even spare their own leaders. They divided Andhra Pradesh, switched off the mics. Atalji also made three States, but it was done peacefully. We are not opposing Telangana, it could have been done peacefully, he says.- Damini Nath
"Federation is a union"
In democracy, you should also have the patience to listen. For years they were used to giving sermons. On Federalism – Congress, TMC presented their views. Read Baba Saheb Ambedkar on federalism. He said federation is a union, for administrative purpose it could be divided in States, but Nation is one.
Tall statements given on federalism, have we forgotten that Chief Ministers were removed on flimsy grounds, a PM’s son did not like the arrangements at the airport so Andhra CM was removed, Karnataka’s Virendra Patil was removed when he was unwell. We are not with a myopic vision, we honour regional aspirations and dont see it is as a conflict. India will progress when regional aspirations are addressed. When States prosper, then the country progresses.- Damini Nath
Congress members start walking out of the House
"You throttled democracy in 1975."
Kharge ji said Congress laid the foundation of the country and BJP only foisted its flag on it, Mr. Modi says.
This was not said in a lighter vein, this is a result of that thinking that India was born in 1947. And it is a result of that the people who ruled for 50 years have this thinking, this democracy is not at your mercy. You throttled democracy in 1975, he adds.
We should have said with pride that India is the mother of democracy. Congress’s problem is that they did not think beyond dynasty. The biggest threat to India is from dynastic political parties and when a family is supreme in a party, the first casualty is talent. For years country has suffered this thinking. I expect all political parties to follow democracy in their working also, Congress should lead this.
It was said, "What would have happened if Congress was not there?" I would like to tell you, this was Mahatma Gandhi's wish
If Congress wasn't there, democracy should have been devoid of dynastic influence, we would be rid of foreign influence, emergency, no caste and regional divide, if Congress wasn't there, then no Sikh genocide would have taken place, Kashmir Pandits wouldn't have suffered, daughters wouldn't have been killed in tandoor,
If Congress wasn't there then people wouldn't have to wait for basic facilities, I will keep counting.
Congress has a problem with the word “nation” also. If nation is unconstitutional, then why is your party’s name Indian National Congress. Change it to Federation of Congress. Correct the mistakes done by your predecessors.
"India’s traditional medicines have made a name for themselves world over."
PM Modi speaks on the achievements of Ayushman Bharat mission
India’s traditional medicines have made a name for themselves world over.
Under Ayush, more than 80,000 wellness centres are operational. These centres detect Cancer and diabetes in early stages and people receive help at local level. We allocated Rs 64,000 crore to States before the Union Budget, had we included it in budget, it would have look grander.
Till the pandemic is there, government will spend on poor people, Mr. Modi says.
Some leaders campaigned against vaccines. However this country's public is aware and they stood in queue to get vaccinated.
The whole covid period is an example of the Federal structure. We held 23 meetings with Chief Ministers, holding extensive discussions.
They should introspect that when an all party meeting was held, attempts were made that some parties dont come, Sharad ji said I cannot force anyone to not come, You boycotted (without naming Congress), even TMC came.
This was a crisis on the country, on humanity, despite that people didn't turn up? I dont know who your advisers are? Pick up next day’s newspapers, your actions were criticised.
"They lost their vision after getting startled by the progress"
Some members here projected a disappointing image of the country, they were enjoying it. Highs and lows, it should not be imposed on the country. Referencing a Gujarati saying, Mr. Modi says, till 2013, the people were in darkness and in 2014 suddenly there was a light, I think they lost their vision after getting startled by the progress.
A public representative has a grasp over the region. You don't stop thinking for the region, if you stop sitting this side (treasury benches), he says.
To Mallikarjun Kharge after he objects- Dont repeat the mistake like Adhir Ji, Jairam has prepared people in the background (to interrupt). You are a respected leader, Mr. Modi says.
"Hiring has increased"
Speaking on job creation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cites EPFO numbers to highlight increase in job numbers. "After opening of COVID restrictions hiring rates doubled," he says.
1 crore 20 lakh were enrolled under EPFO, around 65 lakh were of those under 25 years of age, this means their first job. Hiring has increased, NASSCOM says post-2017, around 27 lakh jobs given. Manufacturing increased which has also created jobs.
In one year, the unicorns created is more than the total number of unicorns created ever. If this doesn't count as employment, then what is?
Price rise in America is at a 40-year high, in Britain it is at 30-year high, despite the pandemic, we have tried to arrest price rise, if you compare it to UPA then you will know what is price rise. Under UPA, it was in double digits, today we are high growth
"India is now leading mobile manufacturer"
There were certain sectors that were focused more on. I would like to speak on two such sectors. One of them is MSME which provides lot of employment opportunity, and the other is agriculture, where we wanted that there should be no interruption, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says.
Bumper crop was produced. Farmers got maximum MSP through Direct Benefit Transfer. Farmers in Punjab for the first time got DBT in their accounts, they said they were surprised to see such he amount in their accounts for the first time.
MSME sector was one of the sectors that got maximum benefit from the Atmanirbhar Bharat package.PLI scheme helped. India is now leading mobile manufacturer, and we are also progressing in export export. Engineering goods made by MSME provide huge contribution to the current export numbers. Tender below Rs 200 crore will only be available for Indians, this will help boost MSME sector.
Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have become defence corridors.
"India has taken a leadership role"
PM Modi lists the various efforts undertaken during COVID-19 time. He speaks on the fact that in corona time, farmers continued to produce bumper crop, and how the government undertook various infrastructure projects to generate employment.
Be it Northeast or J&K, development took place during COVID-19 wave. Sports persons brought laurels to the country, they did not let it impact their performance.
"India has taken a leadership role, and the world is talking about it," says PM Modi. We helped 150 countries during COVID, he adds.
"The world is praising efforts made by India...You (Oppossition) should have taken benefit of this"
Addressing the House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, COVID is a global pandemic, in the past 100 years, humanity never witnessed such a tragedy. This danger is still changing its form, world is still struggling.
People wondered what will happen to India and how it will impact the world. Today, the world is praising efforts made by India, this is India’s achievement, not of a particular party. You (Opposition) should have taken benefit of this, but even this has to be taught to you.
Today also, campaign against vaccines in many parts of the world, but in India the thought that no one should suffer because of me accelerated the vaccine drive. We are going ahead at a fast pace, he says.
PM Modi starts his address in the Rajya Sabha
President’s s address gave a detailed roadmap on measures taken during COVID-19 wave.
Kharge ji raised issues, Anand Sharma despite paucity of time also raised issues, Manoj Jha gave a good advice that the address should be devoid of political connotations, Fauzia Khan mentioned that constitution should be respected, Mr. Modi says.
Today country is celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, several steps taken to give a direction to the country in past 75 years. When the country completes 100 years of Independence, the direction it will take, this is a good time to assess that, he adds. - Vijaita Singh
On Omicron variant and Vaccination
"I am happy to inform that not only India, but worldwide institutions have said that following vaccination mortality rate and hospitality rate goes down. In India 97.5% eligible people have been vaccinated with first dose, and 77% with the second doses. Only vaccination has helped in fighting the Omicron wave," Union Health Minister responds to a question on impact of vaccination.
Mansukh Mandaviya to a question on rates of RT-PCR test replies, "There are various kits available. If a person uses government facility, they will incur no charge."
PM Narendra Modi in Rajya Sabha
He will speak on Motion of Thanks to the President’s address.
On deaths of tribal women and children due to malnutrition in Chhattisgarh
Ram Vichar Netam (BJP) highlighting the issue of death rate of women, children and pregnant women in tribal areas of Chhattisgarh, asks, What is the reason behind the increasing numbers and what steps are being taken.
"States have been instructed to reduce infant mortality rate and maternal mortality ratio, through the use of various schemes," Bharati Pawar, MoS Health and Family Welfare, says in her response.
She acknowledges that though death rates are going down in the country, the situation is opposite in Chhattisgarh. "Malnutrition is not the direct cause," she says. She suggests that the State should put more efforts in implementing Central schemes.
On COVID-19 death compensation
K.C. Venugopal (INC) asks about the data pertaining to deaths due to COVID, and the number of compensation given to kin of those who died of COVID-19.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya responds by saying No need to get irritated, health is a State subject. 5 lakh 33 thousand deaths so far as per the data fed on the portal.
We are giving Rs 2500 subsidy to farmers on per bag of urea: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya responds to a question- Vijaita Singh
Question Hour begins
Question Hour begins in the Rajya Sabha
On Karnataka School Hijab row
L. Hanumanthaiah (INC) brings up the Karnataka School Hijab row. He says Article 14 of Constitution guarantees equality of all and constitution guarantees freedom for practice of religion. Leads to vociferous protest from the treasury benches, the Congress MP could not complete his zero hour submission.
"Let us not make allegations...there is something called uniform also. That's another problem," Chairman Venkaiah Naidu says.
Congress MP Nasir Hussain continues to protest, Chairman names him for defying the chair.- Vijaita Singh
Mahesh Poddar (BJP) raises the issue of plight of minority Christian community in Pakistan. He highlights incidents of vandalism. He urges government to take steps to protect interests of minorities there.
On companies posting Kashmir Solidarity Day messages on social media
Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena) informs the House of social media posts on companies posting on 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' of Pakistan. "Such posts challenging sovereignty of our country," she says, calling the posts "seditious"
She demands apology from automobile companies for posting Kashmir solidarity day messages on their social media handles. -Vijaita Singh
Minister Piyush Goyal says the tweet has been taken cognisance of and the company has apologised- Vijaita Singh
On migration of Indians to other countries
Tiruchi Siva (DMK) cites a U.N. report on how there is an increasing number of Indians migrating to other countries for jobs. He says over 8 lakh Indians gave up their citizenship, they are highly skilled people, why are they leaving the country? They get better financial prospect, research fatalities, they should be given suitable opportunities here else they will be contributing to GDP of other countries- Vijaita Singh
On vacancies in government jobs
V. Vijayasai Reddy (YSRCP) speaks on vacancies in the government institutions, "amid rising unemployment in the country."
Dr. V. Sivadasan (CPIM) continues to speak on the same topic
MPs cite 8 lakh vacancies data provided by DOPT.- Vijaita Singh
Zero Hour begins
Sushil Kumar Modi (BJP) brings up the issue of profit from Virtual Digital Assets being taxed, urging the government to levy "28% GST on entire value like lottery, betting, gambling," calling it not an act of skill but an act of chance.
Papers being laid on the Table
Reports and Papers currently being laid on the Table of the House.
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin.
Chairman Naidu commences the proceedings by congratulating the U-19 Indian cricket team for winning ICC U-19 World Cup.
List of Business in Rajya Sabha (10:00 am)
1. Papers to be laid on the table.
2. Question Hour
3. Motion of Thanks to the President's Address to continue.
4. General Discussion on the Union Budget 2022-23
List of Business in Lok Sabha (4:00 pm)
1. Question Hour
2. Papers to be laid on the table.
3. Motion for the election to committees.
4. General Discussion on the Union Budget 2022-23
Day 6 recap
Both the Houses were adjourned for an hour on February 7, 2022, as a mark of respect to former Member of Parliament, Lata Mangeshkar. Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave a statement in both houses on the attack on MP Asaduddin Owaisi, requesting Mr. Owaisi to accept the security cover provided by the government.
Rajya Sabha continued with its discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address.
In Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave an extensive reply on the Motion of Thanks on President's Address. The Lower House also began a general discussion on the Union Budget 2022-23. However, the discussion was disrupted as opposition members protested the absence of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
